Where To Buy Beer On New Year's Day In Georgia

Alcohol laws in the United States can be confusing, as individual states, counties, and even cities may have different regulations. While there is no longer a federal prohibition on alcohol, many states still maintain specific laws that ban the sale of liquor on certain days, especially Sundays and holidays. In Georgia, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on certain holidays, including Christmas Day and Thanksgiving, and may be banned on New Year's Day, depending on the county.

Beer can be purchased in Georgia on New Year's Day

In Georgia, beer and wine can be purchased at grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and other retail establishments. Liquor, on the other hand, can only be purchased at licensed package stores.

Although Georgia does not heavily restrict the sale, production, or consumption of liquor, the state allows individual counties to create their own rules and regulations around alcohol sales. This means that the sale of alcohol can vary depending on the county and even the city.

In general, Georgia law permits the sale of alcohol from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Sundays. However, counties can restrict these hours further and prohibit sales on certain days, such as Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.

When it comes to New Year's Day, there is no statewide ban on alcohol sales in Georgia. While some states prohibit the sale of alcohol on New Year's Day, Georgia leaves the decision to individual counties. This means that while beer can be purchased in most of Georgia on New Year's Day, there may be certain counties that prohibit alcohol sales on this day.

Therefore, it is important to check the local regulations in your specific county to determine if beer can be purchased on New Year's Day in your area. Additionally, the hours for alcohol sales may vary, so it is always a good idea to plan ahead and stock up in advance if you are unsure about the local restrictions.

Georgia's dry counties

Georgia has always had a complicated relationship with alcohol, and there are still some surprising laws that reflect that. One such law is that certain counties in Georgia are "dry counties", meaning retail liquor sales are illegal in those jurisdictions.

As of 2023, there are 9 dry counties in Georgia:

• Bleckley
• Coweta
• Dodge
• Effingham
• Franklin
• Hart
• Lumpkin
• Murray
• Union

White County is also considered a dry county, but the city of Helen is wet.

Butts and Decatur counties prohibit alcohol sales for on-site consumption in places like bars and restaurants, but there's no law against alcohol sales for off-site consumption.

Upson County is the opposite – it prohibits retail alcohol sales but allows alcohol service in bars and restaurants as of 2014.

In Georgia, the sale of liquor is restricted to specially permitted package stores. Beer and wine can be purchased at convenience and grocery stores. Although the individual counties are allowed to set the days and time frames for alcohol sales, they may not permit sales before 8 a.m. or after 11:45 p.m. from Monday through Saturday.

Georgia's Sunday alcohol laws

On-premise sales laws vary by county and even city. Some cities have enacted a ""brunch bill" that allows bars and restaurants to sell alcohol from 11 am on Sundays. In 2022, the city of Atlanta passed a similar law, allowing the sale of alcohol from 11 am to midnight on Sundays.

In Georgia, distilled spirits can only be purchased at licensed package stores, whereas beer and wine can be purchased at convenience and grocery stores. Although the individual counties are allowed to set the days and time frames for alcohol sales, they may not permit sales before 8 am or after 11:45 pm from Monday to Saturday.

Alcohol delivery in Georgia

Alcohol delivery laws in Georgia can be confusing as they vary by jurisdiction. However, there are some general rules that apply across the state. Firstly, only licensed alcohol retailers are eligible to deliver alcoholic beverages, and these must be unopened and in their original container, sealed by the manufacturer. Mixed drinks or cocktails are not permitted unless they are also sealed by the manufacturer. Beer, wine, and spirits can be sold for delivery by grocery stores and gas stations/convenience stores, while retail package stores, restaurants, brewpubs, bars, and other on-premises retailers can also deliver distilled spirits.

Alcoholic beverages can only be delivered on days and at times when the sale of alcohol is permitted by local law, and deliveries must be completed on the same day as the sale and the alcoholic beverages leave the licensed premises. To deliver alcoholic beverages, an individual must be either an employee of the alcohol retailer or a third-party service with a contractual relationship with the retailer.

There are also several requirements that delivery drivers must meet. These include being 21 years of age or older, possessing a valid Georgia driver's license, and completing a criminal background check within the last 12 months. Drivers must also complete a mandatory delivery training course approved by the Department of Revenue and pass an examination.

In terms of specific jurisdictions, the city of Atlanta passed a measure in 2022 allowing the purchase of alcoholic beverages from 11 am to midnight on Sundays, which took effect in 2023. Additionally, certain counties in Georgia are considered \"dry counties," where retail liquor sales are illegal. As of 2023, these include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, and Union counties, as well as White County, excluding the city of Helen. Butts and Decatur counties prohibit alcohol sales for on-site consumption but allow off-site consumption, while Upson County prohibits retail alcohol sales but permits alcohol service in bars and restaurants.

Alcohol sales timings in Georgia

Monday to Saturday

From Monday to Saturday, alcohol sales in Georgia typically start at 8 a.m. and end at 11:45 p.m. for gas stations, grocery stores, liquor stores, breweries, and taprooms. Bars and restaurants can begin selling alcohol at 9 a.m. and must stop by 2 a.m.

Sundays

On Sundays, alcohol sales timings are more restricted. Off-premises retailers, such as gas stations, grocery stores, liquor stores, and breweries, can only sell alcohol between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Sundays. Bars and restaurants have slightly different hours on Sundays, with alcohol service starting at 11 a.m. in some jurisdictions due to a "brunch law" and ending at 11:30 p.m.

Special Occasions

On certain holidays, such as St. Patrick's Day, New Year's Eve, July 3rd, and 4th, and the Sunday before Memorial and Labor Day, bars and restaurants are allowed to sell alcohol until 2:30 a.m. However, many counties in Georgia prohibit all alcohol sales on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day.

Dry Counties

It is important to note that Georgia has several dry counties, including Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, and Union counties. These counties place restrictions on the type of alcohol that can be sold and the times and places it can be purchased.

Open Container Laws

Georgia has an open container policy, which means you can walk in public areas with a drink in hand. However, there are strict regulations, including a prohibition on alcohol consumption in motor vehicles. An open container is defined as any container with a broken seal or with some amount removed, and the law applies to vehicles on the road or the shoulder of a public highway.

In summary, alcohol sales timings in Georgia vary by retailer, day of the week, and county, with some restrictions on special occasions and in dry counties.

Frequently asked questions