Alabama has a complex relationship with alcohol. While it's not a dry state, it does have several dry counties, and the laws surrounding the sale of alcohol vary widely across the state. So, can you buy beer on Christmas Day in Alabama? The answer is: it depends where you are. State-run liquor stores are closed on Christmas Day, but private liquor stores, grocery stores, and gas stations may be open, depending on local laws.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Can you buy beer on Christmas in Alabama? | No, state-run liquor stores are closed on Christmas. |
Can you buy beer on Sundays in Alabama? | Yes, but only after 10 am in some cities, and after 12 pm in others. |
Hours for buying beer on non-holiday weekdays in Alabama | 6 am to 2 am in grocery and liquor stores |
Hours for buying beer on Saturdays in Alabama | 6 am to 2 am in grocery and liquor stores |
What You'll Learn
- Alabama's state-run liquor stores are closed on Christmas Day
- Grocery stores and liquor stores can sell alcohol from 6 am to 2 am
- Alabama has no dry counties, but 24 of its 67 counties are partially dry
- Beer and wine can be sold in many retailers, but the state controls the sale of liquor and full-strength wine
- The minimum drinking age in Alabama is 21
Alabama's state-run liquor stores are closed on Christmas Day
However, beer and weak wine can be purchased in many retailers on Christmas Day. Alabama does not specify the hours of sale for alcohol, except that it cannot be sold after 2 a.m. on Sunday, and that state-run liquor stores are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Each county and city can set its own sales hours, so beer and wine can be purchased on Christmas Day in retailers such as bars and restaurants, package and liquor stores, and breweries and taprooms, depending on the locality.
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Grocery stores and liquor stores can sell alcohol from 6 am to 2 am
Alabama has a complex set of laws regarding the sale of alcohol, which vary depending on the type of store, the day of the week, and the county.
Grocery stores and liquor stores in Alabama can sell alcohol between the hours of 6 am and 2 am. This applies from Sunday through to Saturday. On Sundays, state-run liquor stores are closed.
Each county and city can set its own sales hours, and some counties are completely dry, meaning there are very few or no options for purchasing alcohol.
In Montgomery, Alabama, you can buy beer for off-premise consumption 24/7. For on-premise consumption, beer can be bought 24 hours a day, except for Sunday. State-run liquor stores are open from 9 am to 9 pm, Monday to Saturday.
In Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, Auburn, Montgomery, Hoover, and Shelby County, Sunday sales are allowed starting at 10 am. In Tuscaloosa, Sunday sales begin at noon.
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Alabama has no dry counties, but 24 of its 67 counties are partially dry
Alabama has no completely dry counties, but 24 of its 67 counties are partially dry. This means that while alcohol is heavily restricted in these parts of the state, there are wet cities within them. These 24 "moist" counties include:
- Autauga
- Bibb
- Blount
- Calhoun
- Chambers
- Cherokee
- Chilton
- Clay
- Cleburne
- Coffee
- Colbert
- Crenshaw
- Cullman
- Dale
- DeKalb
- Escambia
- Etowah
- Fayette
- Franklin
- Geneva
- Henry
- Jackson
- Lamar
- Lauderdale
- Lawrence
- Lee
- Limestone
- Macon
- Madison
- Marengo
- Marion
- Marshall
- Monroe
- Morgan
- Pickens
- Pike
- Randolph
- Russell
- St. Clair
- Shelby
- Talladega
- Tallapoosa
- Tuscaloosa
- Walker
- Washington
- Wilcox
Alabama has no dry counties because the state gives its counties the power to decide their wet or dry status. However, the state government does not prohibit or severely restrict the sale of alcohol.
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Beer and wine can be sold in many retailers, but the state controls the sale of liquor and full-strength wine
Alabama 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 sold in many retailers, including grocery stores, package and liquor stores, and breweries and taprooms. However, the state has stricter controls over the sale of liquor and full-strength wine.
The sale of liquor and wine above 16.5% ABV in Alabama is highly regulated by the state. These types of alcohol can only be purchased from state-run liquor stores or privately owned retail liquor stores, which must first buy these products from the state. The Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board regulates the distribution, sales, and licensing of alcohol in the state and has done so since 1937.
The hours for alcohol sales in Alabama vary depending on the type of store and the day of the week. State-run liquor stores are typically open from 9 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday, and are closed on Sundays, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. Grocery stores and liquor stores can sell alcohol from 6 am to 2 am, seven days a week. However, each county and city can set its own sales hours, and some may restrict alcohol sales on Sundays or other days.
It is worth noting that Alabama has no completely dry counties, but 24 out of 67 counties are considered "moist" counties, with wet cities within them allowing alcohol sales. The laws regarding alcohol sales in Alabama can be complex, and it is always a good idea to check the regulations in your specific location.
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The minimum drinking age in Alabama is 21
Alabama has some of the strictest laws in the United States when it comes to the sale and consumption of alcohol. The minimum drinking age in Alabama is 21, and this is a piece of legislation that is uniform across all 50 states.
The state has several dry counties, meaning there are very few, or sometimes no, options for purchasing alcohol. However, it is important to note that while some counties are completely dry, others are only partially dry, with wet cities within them. In these 24 "moist" counties, there are 43 wet cities.
Alabama's alcohol laws can vary from county to county and even city to city. For example, in Montgomery, Alabama, you can buy beer for off-premise consumption 24/7. However, beer for on-premise consumption is only available 24 hours a day, except for Sunday. State-run liquor stores are closed on Sundays, as well as on Christmas and Thanksgiving.
The hours for alcohol sales are set by localities, and in Alabama, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board runs state liquor stores that have different hours. While state-run liquor stores are closed on Sundays, some cities and counties have passed laws allowing Sunday sales. For example, in Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, Auburn, and Shelby County, Sunday sales are allowed starting at 10 am. In Tuscaloosa, Sunday sales begin at noon, but efforts are underway to move this time back to 10 am.
Alabama's complex alcohol laws also vary depending on the type of alcohol and the location of purchase. Beer and wine are not controlled by the state, but spirits are. Beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets, but spirits cannot. Additionally, there is a 6% ABV cap on beer sales, and bottles cannot exceed 16 ounces. Wine also faces a 14.9% ABV limit.
It is worth noting that in Alabama, it is illegal for minors and adults under 21 to drink beer or any alcoholic beverage, with no exceptions. Parents and guardians are not allowed to provide any alcoholic drinks to those under 21. However, other common exceptions, such as religious, medical, and educational reasons, are permitted in Alabama.
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Frequently asked questions
No, state-run liquor stores are closed on Christmas Day.
Yes, but only until 2 a.m. on Christmas Day.
No, alcohol sales are prohibited on Christmas Day.
Yes, but only after 2 a.m. and before 9 a.m.
No, state-run liquor stores are closed on Thanksgiving.