Buying Beer On New Year's Day In Texas: What's Allowed?

Texas has some unique liquor laws that can be confusing for newcomers to the state. If you're planning to ring in the New Year with a drink, it's important to know that Texas state law prohibits the sale of liquor on New Year's Day. This means that liquor stores will be closed, and no liquor will be available for purchase. So, if you're hoping to buy liquor on January 1st in Texas, you're out of luck. However, this doesn't apply to beer and wine, which can be purchased on New Year's Day, but only within specific time frames. These laws, often referred to as blue laws, have a long history in Texas and are worth understanding if you want to avoid a dry start to the new year.

Beer and wine can be purchased in Texas on weekdays from 7 a.m. to midnight

Texas has some unique liquor laws that new residents may be unaware of. For example, Texans cannot buy liquor on Christmas Day or New Year's Day. This typically leads to a rush at liquor stores on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

So, if you're planning to ring in the New Year in Texas with some beer or wine, you're in luck, as long as you purchase it in advance. Beer and wine can be purchased in Texas on weekdays from 7 a.m. to midnight. On Saturdays, beer and wine can be purchased from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday morning.

On Sundays, the hours for purchasing beer and wine are from 10 a.m. to midnight. This change was made in 2021, when Texans were allowed to buy beer and wine starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays, instead of having to wait until noon as per the previous law.

It's important to note that these hours apply specifically to beer and wine purchases at stores. If you're looking to purchase liquor, different laws apply. Liquor stores in Texas are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the liquor store will be closed the following Monday.

So, while you can enjoy a beer or wine on New Year's Day in Texas, just make sure to stock up in advance, as liquor stores will be closed for business that day.

On Saturdays, beer and wine can be purchased from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday

Texas has some unique liquor laws that residents and visitors alike need to be aware of. One of these is that Texans cannot buy liquor on New Year's Day. So, if you want to ring in the new year with a drink, you'll need to stock up in advance.

Now, let's focus on the specific scenario of buying beer and wine on Saturdays in Texas. On Saturdays, beer and wine can be purchased from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday. This extended timeframe allows Texans to buy their favourite alcoholic beverages well into the night. This is especially convenient for those who enjoy hosting parties or simply want to unwind with a drink on a Saturday night.

It's worth noting that these hours apply to purchases from grocery and convenience stores. If you're looking to buy beer or wine from a bar or restaurant, also known as an "on-premise license or permit" establishment, the hours may differ slightly. Typically, these places are authorised to sell alcoholic beverages from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. on Saturday to 1 a.m. on Sunday.

However, there is an exception to this rule. Establishments located in cities or counties that allow late hours and have obtained a late-hours permit can serve alcohol for on-premise consumption until 2 a.m. any day of the week. This flexibility caters to areas with a vibrant nightlife and ensures that patrons can enjoy their drinks a little longer.

In summary, Texans enjoy a relatively wide timeframe for purchasing beer and wine on Saturdays, from the early morning to the late night. This allows them to plan their social gatherings or personal relaxation time accordingly. However, it's always important to be mindful of the state's liquor laws, especially when it comes to buying liquor on specific holidays like New Year's Day.

On Sundays, beer and wine can be purchased from 10 a.m. to midnight

Texas has some unique liquor laws, which can be confusing for visitors and new residents. The state's alcohol laws have changed a lot over the years, but one thing has remained constant: no liquor sales on Sundays.

The "no liquor on Sundays" law dates back to 1935, when lawmakers passed the Texas Liquor Control Act after Prohibition was repealed. This law also states that liquor stores must remain closed on New Year's Day, Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving. If any of these holidays fall on a Sunday, the stores must also close on the following Monday.

However, Texans can purchase beer and wine on Sundays, from 10 a.m. until midnight, thanks to a bill signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2021. Before this change, beer and wine could not be purchased before noon on Sundays.

So, if you're planning a New Year's Day celebration in Texas and want to include some alcoholic beverages, you can buy beer and wine on that Sunday, but not liquor. It's important to plan ahead if you want liquor for your New Year's Eve party, as liquor stores will be closed on New Year's Day itself.

Additionally, there are some other unique aspects to Texas alcohol laws. For example, bars and restaurants inside hotels are allowed to serve alcoholic beverages to guests at any time of the day, as long as they have the proper permits. At non-hotel bars and restaurants, alcohol can be served from noon to midnight on Sundays, or from 10 a.m. to noon if food is purchased. Alcohol can also be purchased at fairs, festivals, concerts, and sporting events from 10 a.m. to noon on Sundays, as long as the event has the necessary permits.

Texas also allows alcohol to-go sales, meaning establishments with mixed beverage and private club permits can sell alcoholic beverages with food orders for pickup or delivery.

So, while Texans and visitors to the state can enjoy a drink on New Year's Day, it's important to be aware of the specific restrictions and plan accordingly.

Liquor sales are prohibited on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day

Texas has some unique liquor laws that new residents and visitors may be unaware of. If you're planning to buy alcohol, it's important to know that liquor sales are prohibited on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. These laws are the result of decades of legislation and have a significant impact on when and where you can purchase alcoholic beverages in the Lone Star State.

Firstly, it's important to understand the term "blue laws," which are laws that prohibit the sale of certain items on Sundays. The term is believed to originate from the 17th and 18th centuries, when these laws were transcribed onto blue paper or, according to another theory, referred to as "blue" due to their puritanical nature. In Texas, the ""no liquor on Sundays" law, also known as the Texas Liquor Control Act, was passed in 1935 after the repeal of Prohibition. This law was strengthened in the 1960s and 70s to include holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

The Texas Liquor Control Act mandates that liquor stores remain closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, then liquor sales are also banned the following Monday. This means that if you're planning to purchase liquor in Texas, you'll need to do so on a weekday or a Saturday before 9 pm, as that is the cut-off time for liquor sales.

While liquor sales are prohibited on these specific days, it's important to note that beer and wine sales have different regulations. Beer and wine can be purchased from 7 am to midnight, Monday through Friday, and from 7 am on Saturday until 1 am on Sunday. On Sundays, the sale of beer and wine is permitted in grocery and convenience stores from 10 am to midnight, thanks to a bill passed in 2021.

These laws have a significant impact on the availability of alcoholic beverages in Texas, especially during the holiday season. It's important to plan ahead if you intend to purchase liquor around these restricted days, as liquor stores will be closed for extended periods. For example, if New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, liquor sales will be banned on both Sunday and the following Monday, resulting in a 61-hour period without access to liquor stores.

Texas's alcohol laws, often called blue laws, date back to 1935

Texas's alcohol laws, often called "blue laws", date back to 1935. The term "blue laws" refers to a series of laws that restrict the sale of certain goods on certain days and in certain areas. The name likely comes from the colour of the paper these laws were originally printed on, although some claim it comes from the term "blue", which was once used as a derogatory term for puritanical beliefs and practices.

In Texas, blue laws were first introduced in 1863, following the state's independence from Mexico in 1836. This law prohibited working, drinking, horse racing, gambling, and bowling on Sundays, with a $50 fine for any offence—a large sum at the time.

In 1935, Texas passed the Texas Liquor Control Act, which tightened restrictions on alcohol sales and mandated that liquor stores remain closed on Sundays. This law was passed in response to the repeal of Prohibition and is still largely enforced today. Over time, various amendments were added to the Act, with Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day being added as days when liquor sales are prohibited.

While the blue laws regarding alcohol sales remain largely intact, other blue laws have been modified or repealed over time. For example, the Texas blue law enacted in 1961, which prohibited the sale of 42 specific items on consecutive weekend days, was repealed in 1985. This law included items such as cars, pots and pans, and washing machines.

Today, Texas's alcohol laws vary across the state, with different localities having the ability to vote on specific rules surrounding liquor sales. While liquor stores remain closed on Sundays, as well as on certain holidays, beer and wine can be purchased on Sundays at grocery stores and other establishments, with certain time restrictions in place.

Frequently asked questions