Thanksgiving Beer Run: Georgia's Alcohol Buying Rules Explained

The sale of alcohol on Thanksgiving depends on the state and county you live in. In Georgia, it is up to individual counties to set the rules and regulations around alcohol sales. While the state does not heavily restrict the sale of alcohol, there are certain times when it may not be sold, including Thanksgiving. Some of Georgia's 159 counties are considered dry, meaning they don't allow the retail sale of liquor at all. These include Coweta, Dodge, Franklin, Decatur, and Murray. However, even in dry counties, there are often ''wet' areas where you can purchase beer.

Beer and wine are available at supermarkets and convenience stores in Georgia

Whether you can buy beer on Thanksgiving Day depends on the state you live in. In some states, liquor laws vary from county to county. In Georgia, beer and wine can be purchased at convenience and grocery stores. However, there are dry counties in Georgia that do not allow the retail sale of liquor at all. These include Coweta, Dodge, Franklin, Decatur, and Murray.

In Georgia, distilled spirits can only be purchased at licensed package stores, whereas beer and wine can be purchased at supermarkets and convenience 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 to Saturday. On Sundays, beer and wine may be sold from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

While Georgia does not heavily restrict the sale, production, or consumption of liquor, there are certain days when alcohol may not be sold. Many counties in Georgia prohibit all alcohol sales on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day.

If you are in a pinch and need to buy beer or wine on Thanksgiving Day in Georgia, your best bet is to check the laws in your specific county. You can also try calling your local convenience or grocery store to see if they are selling beer and wine on that day. It's always a good idea to plan ahead and stock up on your favourite beverages before the holiday, but if you find yourself in need of a last-minute drink, there may be options available depending on your location in Georgia.

Liquor sales are banned in some Georgia counties on Thanksgiving

Whether you can buy alcohol on Thanksgiving depends on the state—and even the county—that you're in. In the United States, alcohol sales are regulated by state governments, but many states also allow individual counties to create their own rules and regulations.

Georgia is not a dry state, but it does have dry counties. Coweta, Dodge, Franklin, Decatur, and Murray are considered dry counties, which means they don't allow the retail sale of liquor at all. However, consumers can legally drink alcohol in these counties.

In Georgia, distilled spirits can only be purchased at licensed package stores, while 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 to Saturday.

Many counties in Georgia prohibit all alcohol sales on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day. So, if you're in one of these counties, you won't be able to buy beer—or any other alcoholic beverage—on Thanksgiving Day.

Some Georgia counties are considered dry, prohibiting alcohol sales

While Georgia is not a dry state, it does have dry counties. These counties restrict the type of alcohol that can be sold and may further limit the times and places you can buy beer, wine, and spirits.

Coweta, Dodge, Franklin, Decatur, and Murray are considered dry counties, meaning they don't allow the retail sale of liquor. While consumers can legally drink alcohol in these counties, sales are prohibited.

In Georgia, distilled spirits can only be purchased at licensed package stores, while beer and wine can be purchased at convenience and grocery stores. Although 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 to Saturday. On Sundays, alcohol sales are allowed from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Some cities in Georgia have enacted a "brunch bill," allowing bars and restaurants to sell alcohol starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays. Additionally, some counties outlaw the sale of alcohol on specific days like Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day.

The sale of alcohol in Georgia is regulated by the state government, but individual counties are also allowed to create their own rules and regulations. While there are dry counties in Georgia, there are often specified "wet" areas within these counties where alcohol, including beer, can be purchased.

Georgia's alcohol laws vary widely between counties

Licensed retailers in Georgia are only permitted to sell alcohol at certain times. Alcohol can be purchased from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, the sale of alcohol is permitted from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. However, counties can restrict permitted alcohol sale hours and may prohibit Sunday alcohol sales.

The last call for bars varies from county to county, as Georgia does not have a set time that all bars must close. Instead, counties set the time for the last call, with the average closing time for bars being 2 a.m. Some counties may require bars to close earlier.

In Georgia, distilled spirits can only be purchased at licensed package stores, while beer and wine can be purchased at convenience and grocery stores. Additionally, grocery stores may sell packaged beverages containing up to 6% alcohol.

Some cities in Georgia have enacted a "brunch bill," allowing bars and restaurants to sell alcohol starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays. Furthermore, there are instances where special legislation extends the hours during which alcohol can be sold. Bars and restaurants are permitted to sell alcohol until 2:30 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day, New Year's Eve, July 3rd, and 4th, and the Sunday before Memorial and Labor Day. On the other hand, many counties prohibit all alcohol sales on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the state government made some changes to alcohol policies to help restaurants. A bill was signed into law in 2021, allowing restaurants to sell a maximum of two alcoholic beverages per entree in sealed containers. Additionally, it became legal for retail stores to offer home delivery of beer, wine, and liquor, excluding local breweries and distilleries.

Alcohol can be delivered in Georgia on Thanksgiving

If you're hosting a Thanksgiving celebration, it's easy to get caught up in the stress of coordinating travel, compiling a menu, and preparing to spend a significant amount of time with family. It's all too easy to forget to stock up on alcohol for the festivities. But what happens if you run out of drinks on Thanksgiving Day? Can you buy alcohol on Thanksgiving in Georgia?

The answer is: it depends on the county. While Georgia is not a dry state, it does have dry counties. The state does not heavily restrict the sale, production, or consumption of liquor, but there are certain days when alcohol may not be sold. While Georgia does not prohibit alcohol sales on any specific days, it allows counties to prohibit sales on days such as Christmas Day.

Coweta, Dodge, Franklin, Decatur, and Murray are considered dry counties, which means they don't allow for the retail sale of liquor at all. Although consumers can legally drink there, alcohol sales are not permitted in these counties.

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 a.m. or after 11:45 p.m. from Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, alcohol sales are permitted from 12:30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.

When it comes to delivery, any retailer with a corresponding license can deliver beer and wine in Georgia. Only liquor stores may deliver distilled spirits, and restaurants are the only ones that can deliver mixed drinks. Other retailers can deliver prepackaged alcoholic beverages. Third-party delivery services, such as Drizly.com, are also allowed to deliver alcohol in addition to the employees of licensed retailers.

So, if you're in Georgia and you need to restock your drinks on Thanksgiving, you're in luck! Just make sure to check the specific regulations for your county, and you'll be able to enjoy your favourite beverages with your Thanksgiving dinner.

Frequently asked questions