Buying Beer On Sundays In Mississippi: What's The Deal?

In Mississippi, the sale of beer and wine is governed by a set of laws that vary from those of other states. Beer and light wine are sold at grocery and convenience stores, whereas wine and spirits can only be purchased at liquor stores. While beer can be sold for off-premises consumption 24/7, liquor stores are typically closed on Sundays and Christmas Day. However, a bill to allow liquor stores to open on Sundays has been passed by the Mississippi House of Representatives and is awaiting Senate approval.

Beer can be bought in Mississippi 24/7 from grocery and convenience stores

Beer can be purchased in Mississippi 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from grocery and convenience stores. This includes retailers such as Walmart, Target, and CVS. However, it is important to note that these stores are only permitted to sell beer and light wine, which is defined as wine-based products with an alcohol content of less than 5% by weight. These "light wine" products are often marketed as wine coolers.

While beer is readily available at any time of day or night in Mississippi, there are some restrictions on the sale of other types of alcohol. Liquor stores in Mississippi, also known as package stores, are currently prohibited from selling alcohol on Sundays and Christmas Day. However, a bill (House Bill 329) has been passed by the Mississippi House of Representatives to allow liquor stores in wet counties to operate on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. This bill is now under consideration by the Senate.

On-premises alcohol sales in Mississippi, such as at restaurants, bars, clubs, and hotels, are typically allowed from 7 a.m. to midnight, although local authorities may impose further restrictions in certain counties. Additionally, Mississippi has several dry counties where the sale and transportation of alcoholic beverages are illegal.

Wine and spirits are not sold in stores on Sundays

In Mississippi, wine and spirits are not sold in stores on Sundays. This is because, according to state law, package stores are not allowed to operate on Sundays and are also closed on Christmas Day. Package stores are only permitted to open for business from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

However, beer and light wine are sold at grocery and convenience stores that are open 24/7. On-premise alcohol sales are permitted from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

In March 2024, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed a bill to allow package stores to operate on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The bill, House Bill 329, was authored by Republican Rep. Brent Powell of Brandon and would give retailers in wet counties the option to sell on Sunday afternoons. The bill was passed with a vote of 69-31 and sent to the Senate for consideration.

Despite the bill's progress, there is still significant opposition to allowing wine and spirits sales on Sundays in Mississippi. Religious groups and liquor stores themselves do not support changing the current law. Liquor stores in Mississippi are heavily restricted in what they can sell and how many locations they can own, and they are concerned that allowing wine and spirits sales in grocery stores would put them out of business. Additionally, the state government maintains a monopoly on the distribution of wine and spirits, and allowing sales in grocery stores would impact their profit margins.

Mississippi has a government monopoly on selling spirits with an ABV of over 14%

In Mississippi, the sale of alcohol is controlled by The Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). ABC controls the manufacturing, supplying, buying, and selling of alcohol in the state.

Package stores with ABC permits may only open for business from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. ABC on-premises permittees may make sales of alcoholic beverages at the permitted location between 10:00 a.m. and midnight, Monday through Saturday.

In March 2024, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed a bill to allow package stores to operate on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The bill was authored by Republican Rep. Brent Powell of Brandon and passed with a vote of 69-31. The bill would give individual retailers in wet counties the choice to be open during those Sunday hours. However, the bill also allows counties and municipalities to conduct a referendum to opt out of the Sunday sales if 20% of voters or 1,500 voters, whichever is less, sign a petition to hold an election.

The bill was sent to the Senate for consideration, but as of March 5, 2024, it had not yet been referred to a committee. The Senate committee has until April 2, 2024, to advance the bill.

People aged 18-21 can drink beer and light wine with parental supervision

In Mississippi, the legal drinking age for beer and alcohol is 21. However, the state has a unique provision that allows people aged 18-21 to drink beer and light wine with parental supervision. This exception is specific to beer and does not extend to hard liquor or wine products containing more than 5% alcohol by weight.

Mississippi's history with alcohol is quite intriguing. The state had a strong temperance movement and was the first to ratify National Prohibition in 1920. Even after its repeal, Mississippi reaffirmed prohibition and maintained it for almost a third of a century. This legacy has left its mark on the state's current alcohol laws.

Today, Mississippi's alcohol laws are largely in line with the rest of the country. The state allows adults aged 18 and older to serve alcohol in venues, while requiring individuals to be at least 21 to tend bar or sell alcohol for off-site consumption.

The sale of alcoholic beverages is strictly regulated, with package stores permitted to operate only from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. These stores are prohibited from selling on Sundays and Christmas Day. On-premises sales of alcoholic beverages are allowed from 10:00 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Saturday, with extended hours on New Year's Eve.

While Mississippi's laws on alcohol sales and consumption are comprehensive, they do make specific exceptions for those aged 18-21 with parental supervision, allowing them to drink beer and light wine responsibly.

People must be over 21 to buy alcohol in Mississippi

In Mississippi, people must be over 21 to buy alcohol. This is the legal drinking age for beer and/or alcohol in the state. While those aged 18-21 can drink beer and light wine with parental supervision, they cannot purchase it.

The minimum age to buy cigarettes or other tobacco products in Mississippi is also 21.

The Mississippi House of Representatives recently passed a bill to allow liquor stores to be open on Sundays. The bill, which was authored by Republican Rep. Brent Powell of Brandon, would give individual retailers in wet counties the option to be open between 1 pm and 6 pm on Sundays. However, this bill has not yet been approved by the Senate.

Currently, liquor sales on Sundays are prohibited in Mississippi. Package stores are only allowed to operate from 10 am to 10 pm, Monday through Saturday.

Beer, on the other hand, can be sold for off-premises consumption 24/7 in Mississippi, although Sunday sales may be restricted by local ordinance. Beer is available at grocery and convenience stores, which can remain open on Sundays. However, only liquor stores sell wine and distilled spirits, and these are closed on Sundays.

On-premises permittees may sell alcoholic beverages at the permitted location from 10 am to midnight, Monday through Saturday. On New Year's Eve, they may remain open until 1 am on New Year's Day.

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