Buying Beer In Landmark Virginia: What You Need To Know

Beer and wine can be purchased in most grocery stores and gas stations in Virginia, but there are some restrictions on the days and times that alcohol can be sold. Alcohol sales are prohibited between midnight and 6 am from Monday to Sunday, and retailers located within 500 feet of a church are not allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays before noon.

Beer can be purchased in grocery stores and gas stations in Virginia

The state's alcohol sales are regulated by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC), which aims to ensure that alcohol is consumed safely and responsibly by adults. The revenue from alcohol sales goes into a general fund, which is used to support various initiatives, such as alcohol education and community development.

The hours for purchasing beer in Virginia vary depending on the day of the week and the type of retailer. Generally, beer can be purchased from 6 am to midnight in grocery stores and gas stations. However, there are some exceptions, such as clubs with specific licenses that can sell beer at any time. Additionally, there may be restrictions on the sale of alcohol within certain time frames, such as the prohibition of happy hours between 9 pm and 2 am.

It is worth noting that Virginia has different regulations for the sale of hard liquor, which is only sold in state-run ABC stores and not in grocery stores or gas stations. The operating hours of these stores may differ from those of other retailers, typically opening around 9 am or 10 am and closing at 9 pm Monday through Saturday, with reduced hours on Sundays.

Alcohol sales are restricted between 12 am and 6 am

Alcohol sales in Virginia are restricted between 12 am and 6 am. This applies to both on-premise and off-premise sales. On-premise locations include bars and restaurants, while off-premise locations refer to retailers such as grocery stores and gas stations. These restrictions are in place to ensure that alcohol is consumed in a safe and responsible manner within the state.

For on-premise consumption, bars and restaurants in Virginia are typically allowed to sell alcohol between 6 am and 2 am. However, there may be some variations depending on the day of the week and the specific location. Restaurants and clubs with mixed liquor licenses have extended hours and can sell alcohol until midnight. It is worth noting that there are exceptions to these restricted hours, such as for club licensees who face no restrictions at any time.

Off-premise sales of beer and wine in Virginia are permitted from 6 am to 12 am daily. This includes purchases from grocery stores, gas stations, and other similar retailers. However, the sale of distilled spirits or hard liquor is more tightly regulated. Hard liquor can only be purchased from state-run ABC stores, which have their own operating hours. These stores are usually open from 10 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday, and from 10 am to 6 pm on Sundays.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were some temporary changes to the hours for alcohol sales in Virginia. ABC stores adjusted their hours to help control the spread of the virus, opening at noon and closing at 7 pm during the week, with reduced hours on Sundays. As of June 26, 2021, the closing time was pushed back to 9 pm, and some stores continue to have limited Sunday hours.

It is important to note that the laws and regulations regarding alcohol sales in Virginia may change or be updated, so it is always a good idea to stay informed about the most current restrictions and exceptions. Additionally, some localities within Virginia may have their own specific rules and exceptions to the state-wide regulations.

Alcohol retailers must be licensed and in full compliance with Virginia's laws

Alcohol retailers in Virginia must be licensed and in full compliance with the state's laws and regulations. The Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Authority (ABC) is the body responsible for issuing licenses to businesses that serve and sell alcoholic beverages. The ABC offers different types of licenses depending on the type of business and the specific privileges required.

The most common type of license is the retail license, which allows for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises of the establishment. This includes restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, grocery stores, and other designated locations. There are also off-premises retail licenses, which require alcoholic beverages to be taken off the premises after purchase. This type of license is typically held by grocery stores, delicatessens, drugstores, and marina stores.

In addition to retail licenses, the ABC also offers banquet licenses and industry licenses. A banquet license allows persons or groups to host events such as wedding receptions, tastings, or fundraisers where alcohol is served in an unlicensed location or club premise. Industry licenses are issued to manufacturers, wholesalers, and shippers of alcoholic beverages.

The process of obtaining a license can take up to 60 days, and there are strict regulations that businesses must adhere to. For example, in Virginia, beer can only be sold and served in dining rooms and designated rooms on the premises for each type of business. There are also restricted hours during which licensees are not permitted to sell or allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages on their premises. These hours are typically from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. for on-premises sales and 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. for off-premises sales, although there are some exceptions for certain types of licensees.

The ABC has a zero-tolerance policy for underage consumption, and retailers are responsible for preventing the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages to minors. To support this, the ABC offers free online training and resources to help businesses and their employees comply with the state's laws and regulations.

Alcohol is sold in Virginia by following a three-tier system

In the United States, a three-tier system is used to sell alcoholic beverages. This system was established after the repeal of Prohibition, and it consists of importers or producers, distributors, and retailers. Virginia is one of 17 control states, meaning the state government regulates how distilled spirits are sold. Alcohol sales and regulation in Virginia are controlled by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC).

The basic structure of the three-tier system is that producers can only sell their products to wholesale distributors, who then sell to retailers, and only retailers may sell to consumers. This system is designed to prevent "disorderly marketing conditions" and prohibit "tied houses," where a retailer is owned by a brewery, distillery, or other alcohol producer, and only sells that producer's products.

In Virginia, the middle tier of the industry consists of wholesalers or importers who receive products from the lower tier, which includes suppliers and manufacturers. They then sell the products to distributors, who sell them to retailers. The retailers then sell to consumers. All sales must take place within this three-tier system.

Virginia closely regulates alcohol sales and maintains control over hard liquor sales, allowing them to protect public safety and collect funds to support the state. Virginia ABC stores are the only places that sell distilled spirits, while other retailers are permitted to sell wine and beer.

The hours for alcohol sales in Virginia vary depending on the day of the week and the type of retailer. On-premise locations, such as bars and restaurants, are allowed to sell alcohol between 6 am and 2 am daily. Off-premise or retail locations, such as grocery stores and gas stations, must stop alcohol sales at midnight. State-run ABC stores in Virginia that sell hard liquor are typically open from 10 am to 9 pm Monday to Saturday and 10 am to 6 pm on Sundays.

Alcohol sales hours were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

In Virginia, the COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in alcohol sales hours and related regulations. On March 27, 2020, ABC stores adjusted their hours to control the spread of the virus, opening at noon and closing at 7 p.m. on weekdays. As of June 26, 2021, these stores continued to open at noon but pushed their closing time back to 9 p.m., with some stores limiting Sunday hours from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The pandemic also influenced the types of alcohol sales permitted. Virginia allowed licensed merchants to sell to-go cocktails, with an extension granted in late June 2021 to further support businesses. Additionally, the state permitted businesses without a delivery permit to sell beer and wine for off-site consumption.

During the pandemic, there was a focus on maintaining revenue and supporting businesses. The sale of alcohol in Virginia generates substantial funds for the state, with revenue streams including retail sales, taxes on beer and wine sales, license fees, and violation fines. To ensure a continued income, Governor Northam declared alcohol stores "essential retail businesses" during the pandemic, allowing them to remain open.

While the COVID-19 pandemic caused temporary adjustments to alcohol sales hours and regulations in Virginia, these changes aimed to balance public health concerns with economic considerations. As conditions evolved, the state demonstrated flexibility in adapting its policies.

Frequently asked questions