Buying Beer On Sundays In Winchester, Va: What's Allowed?

Virginia's laws regarding alcohol sales have changed over the years, and the state currently permits alcohol sales every day, including Sundays. However, there are specific hours and locations for alcohol sales that vary depending on the type of establishment and whether the sale is on-premise or off-premise. On-premise establishments, such as bars and restaurants with mixed beverage licenses, can sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, while off-premise locations like grocery stores and gas stations can sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to midnight. These laws apply to the sale of beer in Winchester, VA, and other parts of the state.

Beer can be purchased from on-premise establishments from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays in Winchester, Virginia

Virginia's alcohol sales times are straightforward and easy to follow. The state allows alcohol sales every day of the week, including Sundays, with consistent hours for on-premise and off-premise locations. On-premise locations with a mixed beverage license can serve alcohol from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., while off-premise locations must stop sales at midnight.

It's important to note that Virginia has specific laws regarding alcohol sales. While beer can be purchased on Sundays, retailers located within 500 feet of a church are restricted from selling alcohol before noon on Sundays. Additionally, Virginia is a control state, which means that distilled spirits are only sold in state-run liquor stores, while other retailers are permitted to sell wine and beer.

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) manages the state's alcohol retail and wholesale operations, with over 400 outlets across the state. The revenue generated from alcohol sales contributes to a general fund, with a portion allocated for alcohol education, prevention, and training for employees handling alcohol at licensed businesses.

Off-premise locations may sell beer on Sundays from 6 a.m. to midnight

Virginia's alcohol laws can be tricky, but here is everything you need to know about buying beer on a Sunday in Winchester, Virginia.

Off-Premise Beer Sales on Sundays

On-Premise Beer Sales on Sundays

On-premise locations, such as bars and restaurants, are allowed to sell beer on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. in localities where the sale of mixed beverages has been authorized. In other localities, on-premise sales are restricted to 6 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

Alcohol Sales Restrictions

It is important to note that there are some restrictions on alcohol sales in Virginia. Retailers located within 500 feet of a church are not permitted to sell alcohol on Sundays before noon. Additionally, alcohol sales are restricted between midnight and 6 a.m. on Sundays, so plan your purchases accordingly.

Alcohol Laws in Virginia

Virginia is one of the largest control markets in the United States, and the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) maintains exclusive control over the state's spirits retail and wholesale operations. While beer and wine can be purchased at various locations, distilled spirits are only sold at state-run ABC stores.

COVID-19 Impact on Alcohol Sales Hours

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were some changes to alcohol sales hours. ABC stores adjusted their hours to help control the spread of the virus, opening at noon and closing at 7 p.m. on weekdays, and limiting Sunday hours to 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. These hours may be subject to change depending on public safety concerns.

Legal Drinking Age and Penalties

The legal drinking age in Virginia is 21, and there are strict penalties for underage drinking and providing alcohol to minors. It is also illegal to drink alcohol on public property, such as sidewalks, streets, parking lots, and parks.

Grocery stores and gas stations can sell beer on Sundays from 6 a.m. to midnight

If you're in Winchester, Virginia, and are craving a beer on a Sunday, you're in luck! Grocery stores and gas stations can sell beer on Sundays from 6 a.m. to midnight. That means you can grab a cold one with your morning coffee or stock up for the week during your evening grocery run. However, it's important to note that these sales hours apply specifically to off-premise locations like grocery stores and gas stations.

Virginia's alcohol sales laws are straightforward and easy to follow. The state allows alcohol sales every day of the week, including Sundays, with consistent hours across most days. On-premise locations, such as bars and restaurants, can sell beer from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. with a mixed beverage license. Without this license, they must adhere to the same hours as off-premise locations, selling beer until midnight.

The Commonwealth of Virginia has a unique relationship with alcohol sales, being one of the nation's prominent control states. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) exclusively controls the state's spirits retail and wholesale operations, with over 400 retail outlets across the state. This means that distilled spirits are only sold in state-run liquor stores, which typically operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

While Virginia has strict laws regarding alcohol sales, there are some exceptions. For instance, retailers located within 500 feet of a church are prohibited from selling alcohol on Sundays before noon. Additionally, gas stations and grocery stores cannot sell alcohol on Christmas, and there are minimum food sales requirements for restaurants to distinguish them from bars, which are illegal in the state.

So, if you're planning a Sunday barbecue or just want to unwind with a beer, you can conveniently purchase beer from grocery stores and gas stations across Winchester, Virginia, from 6 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. Just remember to drink responsibly and follow the local laws!

Breweries and taprooms can sell beer on Sundays from 6 a.m. to midnight

Virginia's alcohol laws can be tricky, but here is everything you need to know about buying beer on a Sunday in Winchester, Virginia.

On-premise locations, such as breweries and taprooms, are permitted to sell beer from 6 a.m. to midnight every day, including Sundays. This is the same for off-premise locations, such as grocery stores and gas stations.

However, there are some exceptions to these rules. Firstly, retailers located within 500 feet of a church are prohibited from selling alcohol on Sundays before noon. Secondly, on-premise locations with a mixed beverage license, such as bars and restaurants, can remain open until 2 a.m. on Sundays.

It is also important to note that Virginia has nine dry counties where the sale of distilled spirits is illegal. However, this law does not include beer, and Winchester is not one of these counties.

A brief history of alcohol control in Virginia

Virginia has a long history of regulating alcohol sales. After the end of Prohibition, the state allowed retailers to sell beer and wine while retaining control over hard liquor sales. Today, over 16,000 retailers are licensed to sell beer and wine, while the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) maintains exclusive control over the sale of liquor.

Alcohol sales during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia made it legal for licensed merchants to sell to-go cocktails to help support businesses. Additionally, there were some changes to the hours of operation for ABC stores, which opened at noon and closed at 7 p.m. throughout the week, and limited Sunday hours from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Minors are allowed to drink beer with their parents in Virginia

Virginia is not a dry state, and the sale of alcohol is permitted there. However, there are nine dry counties in Virginia where the sale of distilled spirits is illegal. The law doesn't include beer, and beer can be sold in various locations during most days of the week. Virginia permits alcohol sales for on- and off-premise locations every day from 6 a.m. to midnight. On-premise locations like bars and restaurants can remain open until 2 a.m. with a mixed beverage license.

In Winchester, Virginia, you can buy beer on Sunday from on-premise establishments from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. in mixed beverage localities, or from 6:00 a.m. until midnight in other localities. Off-premise locations may sell beer on Sunday from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Virginia has a zero-tolerance policy regarding underage alcohol consumption, and the legal drinking age is 21 years old. However, minors are allowed to drink beer with their parents in Virginia under certain circumstances. The state permits persons under 21 to possess alcoholic beverages if they are making a delivery of alcoholic beverages by order of their parent, implying parental consent. Additionally, minors are allowed to possess and consume alcohol when provided by their parent or guardian in a private residence. This exception to the state's zero-tolerance policy is only applicable when the minor is inside a private residence and under the direct supervision of their parent(s) or guardian(s). Minors are not allowed to purchase alcohol or consume it outside of a private residence with a parent or 21-year-old spouse.

Frequently asked questions