Dunwoody's Sunday Beer Buying: What's Allowed?

In Dunwoody, Georgia, the sale of packaged beer and wine is permitted between 12:30 pm and 11:30 pm on Sundays. Dunwoody residents voted on November 3, 2020, on whether to extend Sunday alcohol sales, after Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 879, allowing municipalities to extend the hours during which people can purchase packaged alcohol on Sundays.

Dunwoody residents voted to extend Sunday alcohol sales hours

Dunwoody residents voted to decide whether to extend Sunday alcohol sales hours in their city. On August 24, 2020, the City Council passed a resolution to approve a referendum so residents could vote on whether to permit the sale of beer, wine, and liquor by package and by the drink from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

The vote followed Gov. Brian Kemp's signing of House Bill 879, which allowed municipalities to extend the hours for purchasing packaged alcohol on Sundays. Prior to this, the state allowed packaged alcohol sales from 12:30 p.m. until midnight. The new bill also allowed retailers to deliver wine and beer to homes, excluding liquor, with the recipient being 21 or older.

In 2018, voters had also passed the "Brunch Bill," allowing restaurants to serve alcohol by the drink starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays, instead of 12:30 p.m. The recent vote aimed to extend the hours further and allow for earlier alcohol sales on Sundays in Dunwoody.

Alcohol sales hours in bars and restaurants

The sale of alcohol in Dunwoody, Georgia, is regulated by a set of laws that dictate the operating hours of bars, restaurants, and stores. These laws outline the permitted sales times for different types of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and liquor. Here is an overview of the alcohol sales hours in bars and restaurants in Dunwoody:

In Dunwoody, Georgia, the sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants is governed by specific regulations. The permitted hours for selling alcohol in these establishments may vary depending on the day of the week and whether food is being served alongside the alcohol. Here is a detailed breakdown:

• Monday to Friday: Bars and restaurants in Dunwoody are typically allowed to serve alcohol from 7 a.m. until midnight. This timeframe applies to both on-premise consumption in bars and restaurants and off-premise consumption where alcohol is purchased from convenience stores or grocery stores.
• Saturday: On Saturdays, the hours for alcohol sales in bars and restaurants extend until 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. This applies to both on-premise and off-premise consumption.
• Sunday: The regulations for Sunday alcohol sales in Dunwoody have been subject to change over the years. Initially, the sale of alcohol in restaurants was permitted starting at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays. However, in 2018, voters approved the "Brunch Bill," which allowed restaurants to serve alcohol by the drink starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays. This change applied specifically to restaurants and bars. More recently, in 2020, Dunwoody residents voted on a referendum to further extend Sunday alcohol sales, proposing to allow sales by the drink and by the package from 11 a.m. to midnight. The outcome of this vote will determine the updated Sunday alcohol sales hours in Dunwoody bars and restaurants.

It is worth noting that, during live events at sports venues, festivals, fairs, or concerts, alcohol can be served as early as 10 a.m. on Sundays, regardless of whether food is being served. Additionally, certain bars or restaurants in the state may obtain a "late hours" permit, allowing them to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. any day of the week. Hotel bars are also exempt from standard serving hours and can serve registered hotel guests at any time of day.

These regulations are subject to change, and it is always a good idea to stay informed about the latest updates in alcohol sales laws in your area.

Hours for liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets

In Dunwoody, Georgia, the sale of beer, wine, and liquor is governed by specific regulations that determine the operating hours of liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets. As of August 2020, residents of Dunwoody were awaiting a vote on November 3, 2020, to decide whether to extend Sunday alcohol sales. The referendum, approved by the City Council, aimed to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages by package and by drink from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

Prior to this referendum, the state law allowed packaged alcohol sales from grocery stores and package stores from 12:30 p.m. until midnight on Sundays. This meant that liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets could sell beer, wine, and liquor during those specified hours on Sundays. Additionally, the law permitted retailers to deliver wine and beer to customers' homes, excluding liquor.

The "Brunch Bill," passed by voters in 2018, allowed restaurants to serve alcohol by the drink starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays, providing more flexibility for those looking to purchase alcoholic beverages during brunch or early lunch on Sundays.

It is important to note that the laws regarding alcohol sales can vary from state to state and even within different counties or cities. While the information provided here is specific to Dunwoody, Georgia, other locations may have different regulations in place regarding the hours of operation for liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets, as well as the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays.

House Bill 879

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Brett Harrell, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. It was a response to the changing consumer demands and the increasing popularity of grocery delivery services. The bill faced opposition from religious conservatives who argued that it would encourage alcohol consumption and interfere with the Christian Sabbath. However, it was approved by the House Regulated Industries Committee and then passed in the House with a vote of 110 to 54.

The bill then moved to the state Senate for a vote, and if passed, it would go to the desk of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for signing into law. The bill also allows municipalities to extend the hours for purchasing packaged alcohol on Sundays. This change gave residents the option to buy beer, wine, and liquor from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays, a relaxation from the previous timing of 12:30 p.m. to midnight.

The passage of House Bill 879 is part of a broader trend in Georgia to reform and loosen restrictions on alcohol sales. In 2018, for example, the "Brunch Bill" was passed, allowing restaurants to serve alcohol by the drink starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays, an extension from the previous time of 12:30 p.m.

While House Bill 879 focuses on home delivery and extended hours for alcohol sales, it does not specifically address the availability of beer in Dunwoody on Sundays. However, the bill's impact on Sunday sales indicates that beer can likely be purchased in Dunwoody on Sundays within the stipulated hours.

The Brunch Bill

In 2018, voters in Dunwoody, Georgia, passed the "Brunch Bill", allowing restaurants to serve alcohol by the drink from 11 a.m. on Sundays instead of 12:30 p.m. The bill was signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal in the summer of 2018. However, it is important to note that the Brunch Bill did not include packaged alcohol sales.

Prior to the Brunch Bill, the state law in Georgia allowed for the sale of packaged alcohol, including beer, wine, and liquor, from grocery stores and package stores, from 12:30 p.m. until midnight on Sundays. The passage of the Brunch Bill gave restaurants in Dunwoody the ability to serve alcoholic drinks to their customers an hour and a half earlier than previously allowed on Sundays.

In 2020, the city of Dunwoody took steps to further extend Sunday alcohol sales. On August 24, 2020, the City Council passed a resolution to allow residents to vote on whether the city could permit the sale of beer, wine, and liquor by the package and by the drink from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. This referendum, which took place on November 3, 2020, gave residents a direct say in determining the alcohol sales regulations in their community.

The push for extended Sunday alcohol sales in Dunwoody was facilitated by Governor Brian Kemp's signing of House Bill 879 in August 2020. This bill allowed municipalities across Georgia to extend the hours during which people could purchase packaged alcohol on Sundays. The bill recognised the changing needs of the community, especially with the increase in grocery deliveries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which also led to the allowance of wine and beer deliveries to homes.

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