Buying Beer In Texas: Grocery Store Rules Explained

Texas has strict laws regarding the sale of alcohol, which vary depending on the type of alcohol and the day of the week. Beer and wine can be purchased from grocery stores and other shops, but liquor is restricted to liquor stores. Grocery stores can sell beer and wine from 7 am to midnight, Monday to Friday, and from 7 am on Saturday until 1 am on Sunday. On Sundays, sales of beer and wine in grocery stores are permitted from 10 am to midnight. Liquor stores are closed on Sundays, as well as on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. They operate from 10 am to 9 pm on the other days of the week.

Beer and wine can be purchased from grocery stores in Texas on Sundays from 10 am to midnight

Texas has some unique laws regarding the sale of alcohol, which can be a little confusing for visitors and residents alike. These laws are regulated by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and are based on the alcohol by volume (ABV) of the drink in question.

During the week, grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and wine from 7 am to midnight, Monday to Friday, and from 7 am to 1 am on Saturdays. Liquor stores are open from 10 am to 9 pm, Monday to Saturday, but are closed on Sundays and some federal holidays, including New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

It's worth noting that these laws have a long history, dating back to the Texas Liquor Control Act of 1935, which was passed shortly after the repeal of Prohibition. The laws were intended to keep certain types of commerce, like alcohol sales, from happening on Sundays, which were reserved for church and other pious activities. While many of these so-called "blue laws" have been repealed, the restrictions on alcohol sales remain, reflecting Texas's long-standing traditions and community values.

So, if you're planning a Sunday barbecue in Texas and want to serve beer or wine, make sure to get to the grocery store after 10 am to stock up!

Liquor stores in Texas are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day

Texas has some unique laws regarding the sale of alcohol, which can be confusing to visitors.

The sale of liquor is also prohibited on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, regardless of the day of the week. So, if you're planning a party or need to stock up on liquor for a holiday, it's important to plan ahead as there will be no liquor sales on those days.

However, it's not all bad news for those looking to purchase alcohol during the holidays. Grocery and convenience stores are allowed to sell beer and wine on Sundays, as well as on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, as long as the alcohol content is below 17% ABV. These stores can sell beer and wine from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays and from 7 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, beer and wine sales are permitted from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Additionally, bars and restaurants can serve alcoholic beverages on Sundays, but the hours vary depending on whether food is also being served. If food is being served, alcohol can be served starting at 10 a.m. If not, alcohol service cannot begin until noon.

So, while liquor stores in Texas are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, there are still options for purchasing alcohol on those days, such as grocery and convenience stores, as well as bars and restaurants.

Grocery stores and convenience stores in Texas cannot sell liquor, only beer and wine

Texas has a set of unique laws that govern the sale of alcohol, which can be a little confusing for visitors and residents alike. These laws are regulated by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and are based on the alcohol by volume (ABV) of the drink in question.

The hours for purchasing beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores are also restricted. From Monday to Saturday, sales can begin as early as 7 am and extend until 1 am on Sunday morning. On Sundays, sales are permitted from 10 am to midnight. These laws were updated in 2021, allowing for earlier Sunday purchases.

The laws surrounding alcohol sales in Texas have a long history. The Texas Liquor Control Act, passed in 1935 after the repeal of Prohibition, restricted liquor sales on Sundays. The Texas Liquor Control Board, which later became the TABC, also passed a series of "blue laws" aimed at keeping Texas out of "Prohibition panic." These laws, dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, were designed to protect Sunday as a day of worship and encourage church attendance by limiting commercial activities. While many of these laws have since been repealed, the restrictions on alcohol sales remain, reflecting the state's long-standing traditions.

Grocery stores in Texas can sell beer and wine from 7 am to midnight, Monday to Friday

Texas has a complicated relationship with alcohol. The state passed its first "blue laws" (alcohol ban) in 1935, two years after the end of federal Prohibition. While many of these laws have since been repealed, some remain in place today, including restrictions on the sale of alcohol.

In Texas, grocery stores can sell beer and wine from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, sales begin at 7 a.m. and extend until 1 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Since 2021, Texas has permitted the sale of beer and wine from 10 a.m. on Sundays, rather than noon. However, liquor stores are not allowed to operate on Sundays. They are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and are also closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the stores remain closed on the following Monday.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) regulates the hours in which alcohol can be bought. The TABC splits how, when, and where alcohol is sold in Texas based on its alcohol by volume (ABV). Liquor can only be sold at liquor stores, while beer and wine can be sold in grocery stores, gas stations, and other shops. Grocery and convenience stores can only sell alcoholic beverages that are under 17% ABV and are not permitted to sell beverages containing spirits, including hard seltzers.

Alcohol sales hours in Texas are different for on-premise (bars or restaurants) and off-premise (grocery or convenience stores) consumption

Alcohol sales hours in Texas vary depending on whether the alcohol is for on-premise consumption (e.g. in bars or restaurants) or off-premise consumption (e.g. in grocery or convenience stores).

On-Premise Alcohol Sales Hours in Texas

On-premise alcohol sales hours in Texas are as follows:

• Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to midnight
• Saturday: 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday morning
• Sunday: noon to midnight (10 a.m. to noon only with the service of food)

Bars or restaurants with a "late hours" permit can serve alcohol until 2 a.m. any night of the week. Additionally, hotel bars can serve hotel guests alcohol at any time of day.

Off-Premise Alcohol Sales Hours in Texas

Off-premise alcohol sales hours in Texas are as follows:

• Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to midnight
• Saturday: 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday morning
• Sunday: 10 a.m. to midnight

Grocery and convenience stores are not permitted to sell liquor. Only specific liquor stores can sell liquor, and they must adhere to the following hours:

• Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, they must remain closed on the following Monday.

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