Topeka, Ks: Beer Buying On Sundays

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, and its relationship with alcohol has been a long and complex one. The state prohibited the sale of alcohol from 1881 to 1948, and continued to prohibit on-premises liquor sales until 1987. So, what are the laws regarding the sale of beer in Topeka, KS, on a Sunday?

Beer can be purchased in Topeka, Kansas, on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at off-premise locations

Yes, you can buy beer in Topeka, Kansas, on Sundays, but the hours differ from the rest of the week.

Buying Beer in Topeka, Kansas, on Sundays

Buying Beer in Topeka, Kansas, Monday to Saturday

From Monday to Saturday, off-premise locations can sell beer from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

On-Premise Beer Sales in Topeka, Kansas

On-premise locations, such as bars and restaurants, can sell beer from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. any day of the week, including Sundays.

Dry Counties in Kansas

It's important to note that while beer can be purchased in Topeka, Kansas, there are still dry counties in the state. As of March 2023, Kansas has one dry county where on-premises liquor sales are prohibited, but the sale of 3.2% beer is allowed.

History of Alcohol Laws in Kansas

Kansas has a long history of strict alcohol regulations, including statewide prohibition from 1881 to 1948, and it continues to have some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. The state's complex relationship with alcohol stems from its historical association with the temperance movement.

On-premise locations in Topeka can sell beer from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays

In Topeka, Kansas, beer can be purchased at on-premise locations from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays. This is the same timeframe for on-premise beer sales every day of the week. On-premise locations include bars and restaurants, where beer is consumed on-site.

The rules for on-premise beer sales in Topeka are less restrictive than those for off-premise sales. Off-premise locations, such as liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets, are only permitted to sell packaged beer (up to 4% alcohol by volume) from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Kansas are among the strictest in the United States. Kansas had a long history of statewide prohibition, which lasted from 1881 to 1948, and continued to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987. Even after the repeal of prohibition, the sale of alcohol in Kansas was highly regulated.

The alcohol laws in Kansas have evolved over time, with a recent shift towards modernisation and a relaxation of some restrictions. For example, in 2003, the ban on Sunday liquor sales was lifted, and in 2012, happy-hour specials were reintroduced after a 25-year hiatus.

While the state of Kansas has only one remaining dry county, individual cities and counties can impose more restrictive hours for alcohol sales. It is always a good idea to check the local laws and regulations for the specific area in Kansas.

Packaged beer (up to 4% ABV) can be sold in Topeka from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays

In Topeka, Kansas, you can buy packaged beer with an ABV of up to 4% from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. This is in contrast to Monday through Saturday, when packaged beer can be sold from 6:00 a.m. to midnight.

These hours are specific to Topeka, a city in Shawnee County, Kansas. The hours of sale for liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets vary depending on location. For example, in Topeka, packaged liquor may be sold between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, but only between noon and 8:00 p.m. on Sundays.

It's important to note that alcohol laws can vary from state to state, and even within counties and cities. Kansas, in particular, has a history of strict alcohol regulations, and some of its counties are considered "dry counties," where alcohol sales are prohibited.

In addition to the days and hours of sale, other regulations govern the sale of alcohol in Kansas. For instance, only licensed establishments are permitted to sell alcohol, and there are restrictions on where these establishments can be located. Kansas also has a three-tier liquor distribution system, where alcohol is distributed from the manufacturer to the distributor to the retailer. There are exceptions for farm wineries and microbreweries, which can sell directly to consumers.

The legal drinking age in Kansas is 21, and there are strict laws against driving under the influence, with a maximum blood alcohol level of .08% for those over 21 and .02% for those under.

Beer sales regulations in Kansas are determined by the county and city

Kansas has a complex history of alcohol regulation, and its laws are among the strictest in the United States. The state had a long period of prohibition, lasting from 1881 to 1948, and continued to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987.

Today, the sale of alcohol in Kansas is regulated by the Kansas Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and laws vary from county to county and city to city. There is one dry county, Wallace County, where on-premises liquor sales are prohibited, but the sale of 3.2% beer is permitted.

In Shawnee County, where Topeka is located, alcohol sales are permitted in bars and restaurants between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. any day of the week. Beer (up to 4% alcohol by volume) may be served during the same hours. Packaged liquor may be sold between noon and 8:00 p.m. on Sundays, and between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Packaged beer (up to 4% alcohol by volume) may be sold between noon and 8:00 p.m. on Sundays, and between 6:00 a.m. and midnight, Monday through Saturday.

In April 2023, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a bill amending several provisions of the Kansas Liquor Control Act, the Kansas Cereal Malt Beverage Act, and the Club and Drinking Establishment Act. One notable change was the removal of a requirement that restricted the movement of people between different drinking establishments during special events. The bill also included provisions to allow more bars to open on Sundays and to remove the requirement that food must make up at least 30% of an establishment's sales in order to serve alcohol on Sundays.

The minimum drinking age in Kansas is 21, with exceptions for minors drinking under parental supervision

In Kansas, the minimum drinking age is 21 years old. This is the same across the United States, as established by the 1984 National Minimum Drinking Age Act. However, there are some exceptions to this law in certain states, and in Kansas, there is a narrow exception for minors drinking under parental supervision.

In Kansas, those under 21 can drink a cereal malt beverage (CMB) if it is provided by a parent or legal guardian and they are supervised. CMBs are defined as any undistilled fermented liquor made from malt or a malt substitute, with an alcohol content of up to 3.2%. This includes some beer, and in Kansas, beer with an alcohol content of 3.2% or less is classed as a CMB.

Kansas law also permits those under 21 to drink wine for religious purposes. Minors are allowed to consume wine provided for sacramental purposes in a religious context.

Other than these exceptions, it is illegal for minors to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol in Kansas. Servers of alcohol must be at least 18 years old, and bartenders must be 21 or over.

Kansas has a zero-tolerance policy for minors driving after drinking alcohol. Those under 21 found to have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02% or higher can have their driving privileges restricted or suspended.

Frequently asked questions