Buying Beer In Tuscaloosa On Sundays: What's Allowed?

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the sale of alcohol is regulated by the Tuscaloosa City Council, which grants licenses to businesses to sell alcohol. The laws regarding alcohol sales vary across the state, with counties and cities setting their own hours. In Tuscaloosa, bars, bistros, and restaurants with liquor licenses can serve alcohol from 10 am to 10:30 pm on Sundays, with drinks needing to be finished by 11 pm. Previously, alcohol sales were only permitted from noon to 9 pm on Sundays. Grocery and convenience stores that sell packaged alcohol are still limited to the noon to 9 pm window.

Tuscaloosa's Sunday alcohol sales hours

Prior to this change, the permissible hours for alcohol sales in Tuscaloosa on Sundays were from noon to 9 p.m., with drinks needing to be finished by 9:30 p.m. These hours still apply to stores that sell packaged alcohol, such as convenience and grocery stores. It's important to note that state-run liquor stores in Alabama are typically closed on Sundays.

While Alabama does not specify the hours of sale for alcohol, it does dictate that alcohol sales must end by 2 a.m. on Sundays. The state allows counties and cities to set their own sales hours, and Tuscaloosa has made use of this flexibility to accommodate the needs of its residents and visitors.

To sell alcohol in Tuscaloosa, establishments must obtain an Alcohol Beverage License from the Tuscaloosa City Council, which considers applications during their Tuesday meetings. The license must be displayed publicly, and businesses must adhere to the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) requirements to maintain their licenses.

Alabama's Sunday alcohol sales laws

Alabama's alcohol laws can be confusing, as they vary from county to county and city to city. Here is a breakdown of the laws as they stand:

Sunday Alcohol Sales

Historically, Alabama prohibited alcohol sales on Sundays. However, this has changed over time, and now, alcohol can be sold on Sundays in many parts of the state. The specific hours during which alcohol can be sold on Sundays vary by location. For example, in Montgomery, alcohol can be sold any time on Sunday except between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. In Tuscaloosa, bars, restaurants, and bistros with alcohol licenses can serve alcohol from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sundays, as long as drinks are consumed by 11 p.m.

State-Run Liquor Stores

State-run liquor stores are closed on Sundays and other holidays, including Christmas and Thanksgiving. Their operating hours on weekdays and Saturdays are typically from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

County and City Regulations

Alabama gives its counties and cities the power to decide their wet or dry status and set their own hours for selling alcohol. This means that the laws can vary significantly from one place to another. For example, in Baldwin County, both on-premises and off-premises sales are permitted on Sundays, while in Perry and Wilcox counties, only off-premises sales are allowed. Houston County does not permit on-premise sales on Sundays at all.

Where to Buy Alcohol

Alcohol can be purchased from various establishments in Alabama, including bars and restaurants, package and liquor stores, and breweries and taprooms. However, all stores, restaurants, hotels, and other establishments that sell alcohol must have a liquor license from the state and follow the regulations set by the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) department.

Open Container Laws

Alabama has strict open container laws. It is illegal to have an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle. Open containers must be kept in the trunk or otherwise out of easy reach. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as in commercial vehicles like limos or buses, and in the living area of a motorhome.

Minimum Drinking Age

The minimum drinking age in Alabama is 21, and there are no exceptions for minors, even when under parental supervision.

DUI Laws

Alabama has strict penalties for driving under the influence (DUI), including jail time, fines, license suspension, and the requirement to use an ignition interlock device. The legal limit for drivers under 21 is lower than for those 21 and older, and the penalties are more severe.

Growler Laws

Alabama allows the sale and purchase of growlers and other unsealed beer containers, as long as they do not exceed a capacity of 128 ounces. Plastic growlers can be sold but not reused. Growlers must be sanitized before being refilled and properly labelled with product information.

Tuscaloosa's alcohol license application process

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, alcohol sales are permitted on Sundays between 10 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., with drinks needing to be finished by 11 p.m. This applies to restaurants, bars, and bistros with on-premises liquor licenses. For stores that sell packaged alcohol, like convenience and grocery stores, alcohol sales are permitted from noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

To sell alcohol in Tuscaloosa, a business license and an alcohol beverage license are required. The Tuscaloosa City Council considers applications during their Tuesday meetings, typically scheduled for 6 p.m. The City of Tuscaloosa's revenue office collects and administers various alcohol beverage licenses, including special event retail licenses, lounge retail liquor licenses, and restaurant retail liquor licenses.

The specific license required depends on the type of establishment and the alcohol being sold. For example, a restaurant selling beer for on-premises consumption would require a different license from a grocery store selling beer for off-premises consumption.

While the application process is handled by the Tuscaloosa City Council, the state of Alabama also has specific regulations surrounding alcohol sales. Alabama controls the sale of liquor and full-strength wine, with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board managing all alcohol licensing in the state. Additionally, Alabama does not specify the hours of sale for alcohol, aside from prohibiting sales after 2 a.m. on Sundays.

To obtain an alcohol beverage license in Tuscaloosa, businesses must adhere to the requirements set by both the city and the state. This includes complying with age restrictions, ensuring that the licensee has not been convicted of a felony, and following any additional guidelines outlined by the Tuscaloosa City Council and the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

Tuscaloosa's bars and restaurants serving alcohol

Tuscaloosa's bars and restaurants can serve alcohol from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sundays, with drinks needing to be finished by 11 p.m. This change was implemented in 2019, with the previous permissible hours being from noon to 9 p.m. with drinks needing to be finished by 9:30 p.m.

Some popular bars and restaurants in Tuscaloosa include Druid City Brewing Company, Five-Bar Tuscaloosa, Alcove International Tavern, Houndstooth Sports Bar, Hunt Club Honkytonk Bar N Grill, and Wheels & Spokes MC. There are also some restaurants that serve alcohol but focus on the food they offer, such as Avenue Pub and World of Beer Tuscaloosa.

Druid City Brewing Company has a retro artsy, laid-back vibe and is located just off 15th St, near downtown and the UA campus. They have a room for live music, a large outdoor seating area, and a small restaurant. They offer a deep selection of local and regional beers, and their food menu includes pub classics like nachos and hot dogs.

Five-Bar Tuscaloosa has a cozy atmosphere with a chandelier and a great bar. They offer a range of drinks, and their food menu includes dishes like baked avocado, hamburger, and Asian chicken.

Alcove International Tavern is a great spot to watch a game, with seating options including barstools, booths, and wooden chairs. They also have live performances, including drag shows.

Houndstooth Sports Bar is a fun sports bar with an outdoor patio. They have a large shaded patio area with small TVs, and the inside has a bar and large screens for watching games.

Hunt Club Honkytonk Bar N Grill and Wheels & Spokes MC are also popular bars in Tuscaloosa, according to TripAdvisor reviews.

Avenue Pub, located on University Blvd, offers an original take on pub classics, craft beers, and fresh cocktails. They are committed to creating fresh, great-tasting food in a community-oriented atmosphere.

World of Beer Tuscaloosa, also located on University Blvd, offers a wide range of beers, cocktails, and food. They have daily specials, including Happy Hour from Monday to Friday, and Football Bites & Brews on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Tuscaloosa's packaged beer and wine sales

Tuscaloosa's laws regarding packaged beer and wine sales differ from those of other Alabama counties. Packaged beer and wine may be sold by private vendors at any time except between 2:00 a.m. on Saturday and 12:01 a.m. on Monday. This means that in Tuscaloosa, you can buy packaged beer and wine on Sundays, which is not the case in some other Alabama counties.

The sale of packaged liquor, however, is restricted to state-owned stores. These stores are closed on Sundays.

The hours of sale for bars and restaurants in Tuscaloosa serving alcohol are:

• Sunday: noon to 9:30 p.m.
• Monday: 6:30 a.m. to 1:45 a.m.
• Tuesday: 6:30 a.m. to 1:45 a.m.
• Wednesday: 6:30 a.m. to 1:45 a.m.
• Thursday: 6:30 a.m. to 1:45 a.m.
• Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 2:45 a.m.
• Saturday: 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

These hours were extended in 2024, allowing bars, bistros, and restaurants with liquor licenses to serve alcoholic beverages from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sundays. Previously, they were only permitted to serve alcohol from noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

The City of Tuscaloosa offers various Alcohol Beverage Licenses, including the Retail Beer and Retail Table Wine (On and Off Premises) license. All stores, restaurants, hotels, and other establishments selling alcohol must have a liquor license from the state, which must be displayed at all times.

Frequently asked questions