Missouri Easter Beer Buying: What's Allowed?

Missouri has some of the most relaxed alcohol laws in the United States, but can you buy beer there on Easter Sunday? Missouri has no dry counties, and alcohol can be purchased from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily, including Sundays. However, municipalities across the state may have separate laws. For instance, St. Louis and Kansas City have banned Sunday liquor sales before 9 a.m. in the past, but as of August 28, 2021, the Sunday hours for on- and off-premise purchases are from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. So, unless local laws prohibit it, you can buy beer on Easter Sunday in Missouri.

Missouri's alcohol laws are among the most relaxed in the US

Missouri's relaxed approach to alcohol regulation is also influenced by its position as the leading alcohol-producing state in America, known for wine production in the Missouri Rhineland and beer production in St. Louis by Anheuser-Busch, the producer of Budweiser. Anheuser-Busch is the principal advocate for keeping Missouri's alcohol laws lax.

Missouri's first Liquor Control Law was enacted in 1934, repealing local laws that had previously left liquor regulation to localities. This was the first time the state had any control over liquor sales. Today, Missouri has no dry jurisdictions, and alcohol can be purchased in a variety of locations, including grocery stores, gas stations, and drug stores. The state has no specific limitations on the places where alcohol can be sold "off-premises", as long as it is not within 100 feet of a school or church.

Missouri's alcohol laws are unique in several other ways. The state does not differentiate between types of alcohol based on the percentage of alcohol in a beverage. Instead, the Liquor Control Law covers any alcoholic beverage containing more than 0.5% alcohol by volume. Missouri also has no open container law for vehicles, sharing this characteristic with only six other states. Additionally, Missouri has no state law prohibiting drinking in public or public intoxication, although most municipalities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, do prohibit drinking in public.

In terms of purchasing alcohol, Missouri has a three-tier distribution system that includes the manufacturer, distributor, and retailer. Each level requires a license to sell alcohol. Alcohol can be purchased from 6 am to 1:30 am daily, with some municipalities having separate laws. Alcohol can also be purchased on Sundays, although an additional license is required for the sale of intoxicating liquor on this day.

Missouri's relaxed alcohol laws have been recognised by the "Freedom in the 50 States" study, which ranked the state third in the nation in alcohol freedom in 2013. The study noted Missouri's lack of blue laws and below-average taxes on alcohol.

Missouri's alcohol sales on Easter Sunday

Missouri has some of the most permissive alcohol laws in the United States. It is known for its laissez-faire approach to alcohol regulation, in contrast to the stricter alcohol laws of neighbouring states like Kansas and Oklahoma.

Missouri's relaxed approach to alcohol laws is partly due to its position as the leading alcohol-producing state in America. It is well known for its wine production in the Missouri Rhineland and for beer production in St. Louis by Anheuser-Busch, which produces Budweiser.

Before state alcohol regulation began in 1934, many Missouri cities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, had banned Sunday liquor sales. Missouri's original 1934 Liquor Control Law prohibited Sunday sales of beverages with more than 5% alcohol by volume, but this restriction was lifted in 1975.

In 2021, Missouri changed the Sunday alcohol sales law, allowing sales from 9 a.m. to midnight to 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Mondays. This change was part of a larger revamp of the state's liquor laws, which included the permanent allowance of to-go cocktails to help bars and restaurants financially.

Missouri's alcohol laws do not differentiate between types of alcohol based on the percentage of alcohol in a beverage. The Liquor Control Law covers any alcoholic beverage containing more than 0.5% alcohol by volume. Missouri also has no open container law, which means passengers in a vehicle are allowed to possess open containers of alcoholic beverages.

While Missouri's alcohol laws are generally relaxed, there are still some restrictions in place. For example, Missouri limits the hours of retail alcohol sales to between 1:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and, for an additional license fee, between 1:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on Sundays. Additionally, Missouri requires anyone selling or manufacturing intoxicating liquor who wishes to sell it on Sundays to apply for an additional license.

Missouri's drinking laws for those under 21

Missouri's drinking laws are among the most permissive in the United States. However, the state still has strict regulations regarding underage drinking. Here is a detailed overview of Missouri's drinking laws for those under 21:

Drinking, Possession, and Purchase

Missouri law prohibits minors from consuming, possessing, or purchasing alcohol. The legal drinking age in the state is 21, and anyone below this age is considered a minor. If a minor is caught drinking, they can be charged with "minor in possession" (MIP) and face legal consequences.

Penalties for Underage Drinking

Underage drinking is a misdemeanor in Missouri. If convicted, a minor may face a fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year. They will also be responsible for paying court costs and attorney fees. Additionally, a misdemeanor can stay on a person's record for life, impacting their job and educational opportunities.

Zero Tolerance Law

Missouri's "Zero Tolerance Law" imposes strict penalties on underage drinking and driving. Anyone under 21 with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.02% or higher can lose their driver's license. Driving under the influence (DUI) is a crime in Missouri, and minors can face additional consequences, such as fines, increased insurance premiums, and a criminal record.

Good Samaritan Law

Missouri's Good Samaritan Law provides protection for minors who actively seek medical assistance for themselves or others during an alcohol-related emergency. This law ensures that those seeking help will not be arrested, charged, prosecuted, or convicted.

False Identification

Using a false ID to obtain alcohol is a criminal offense in Missouri. It is also illegal to lend, transfer, manufacture, or distribute a false ID. These offenses can result in misdemeanour or felony charges, depending on the specific circumstances.

Social Host Law

Missouri's Social Host Law prohibits anyone from knowingly allowing minors to consume alcohol on their property. This law applies to both private residences and public spaces. Violation of this law is considered a misdemeanor.

Keg Registration

Missouri has a keg registration law, which requires the collection of purchaser information, including name, address, and date of birth. If a keg is found at a party where underage drinking has occurred, the purchaser can be identified and arrested or fined for supplying alcohol to minors.

In summary, while Missouri has permissive alcohol laws for adults, it takes underage drinking very seriously. The state has implemented a range of laws and penalties to deter and address underage drinking, with a focus on prevention, enforcement, and education.

Missouri's alcohol sales hours on non-holidays

Missouri's alcohol laws are among the most permissive in the United States. The state is known for its largely laissez-faire approach to alcohol regulation, in contrast to the stricter alcohol laws of some of its neighbouring states, like Kansas and Oklahoma.

The state's alcohol laws have generally always been this way. During the height of the temperance movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Missouri never implemented its own statewide prohibition. On the contrary, voters in the state rejected prohibition in three separate initiative elections in 1910, 1912, and 1918. When temperance crusader Carrie A. Nation entered a bar in Kansas City in 1901 and began smashing liquor bottles with her hatchet, she was promptly arrested and fined $500.

Today, Missouri has no dry jurisdictions. The state has no specific limitations on the places where alcohol may be sold "off-premises" (i.e. for consumption elsewhere). As a result, Missouri is famous in the region for grocery stores, drug stores, and even gas stations that sell a wide variety of beer, wine, and liquor.

Missouri does, however, limit the hours of retail alcohol sales. Retailers can sell alcohol from 6:00 am to 1:30 am the following day, Monday through Sunday. The sale of alcohol in Missouri on Sunday stops at 1:30 am the following day (Monday).

The closing time for bars in Missouri is generally 1:30 am, and this uniform closing time applies throughout the week.

Missouri's alcohol laws compared to neighbouring states

Missouri's alcohol laws are among the most permissive in the United States. The state has a largely laissez-faire approach to alcohol regulation, in contrast to the stricter alcohol laws of its neighbouring states, like Kansas and Oklahoma. Nicknamed the "Show Me State", Missouri's relaxed attitude towards alcohol regulation is also influenced by its position as the leading alcohol-producing state in America, known for wine production in the Missouri Rhineland and beer production in St. Louis by Anheuser-Busch, the producer of Budweiser.

Historically, Missouri has always had permissive alcohol laws. During the temperance movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Missouri never implemented its own statewide prohibition. Voters in the state rejected prohibition in three separate elections in 1910, 1912, and 1918. When temperance crusader Carrie A. Nation entered a bar in Kansas City in 1901 and began smashing liquor bottles, she was promptly arrested and fined. Although the state eventually ratified the 18th Amendment, it only did so after it had already received enough ratifications to become part of the Constitution. During Prohibition, political boss Tom Pendergast ensured that the national prohibition law did not affect Kansas City's liquor industry, and the city's federal prosecutor never brought any felony prosecutions under the Volstead Act.

In terms of modern-day alcohol laws, Missouri has no dry jurisdictions, and alcohol can be purchased in grocery stores, gas stations, and similar businesses that acquire the proper permits. The state has no specific limitations on the places where alcohol can be sold "off-premises", and it is well-known for the wide variety of alcohol available in these establishments. Missouri also has no state open container laws, no state public intoxication laws, and no state law prohibiting drinking in public. However, it is important to note that local ordinances and municipal laws may apply, and some cities in Missouri do have their own open container laws and prohibitions on drinking in public.

In comparison, neighbouring Kansas has stricter alcohol laws, with state-run alcohol stores, and Texas has some very dry counties. Kansas only recently changed the laws to allow liquor sales on Sundays in 2005, and there are still restrictions on liquor sales on Easter and Christmas. Texas also has some dry counties, where alcohol cannot be purchased.

Overall, Missouri's alcohol laws are more permissive than those of its neighbouring states, with fewer restrictions on the sale, distribution, and consumption of alcohol.

Frequently asked questions