Buying Beer On Sunday Morning: Is It Legal?

The ability to purchase beer on Sunday mornings is determined by local laws, which vary by region. In the United States, blue laws restrict or ban the sale of certain items on Sundays, with alcohol being a commonly affected product. For example, in Texas, liquor stores are closed on Sundays, but beer can be purchased after 10 AM. In Florida, alcohol cannot be purchased before 11 AM on Sundays, while in New York, alcohol can be purchased at any time. These laws are subject to change, and it is always a good idea to check the local regulations before making a purchase.

Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission (TABC) laws

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) is a Texas public agency responsible for regulating, inspecting, and taxing the production, sale, and use of alcoholic beverages within the state. The agency was established in 1935 and is headquartered in Austin.

The TABC's organic law, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, authorizes the agency to grant, refuse, suspend, or cancel permits and licenses, supervise and inspect the manufacturing, importation, and distribution of alcoholic beverages, assess and collect taxes, and investigate violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Code.

TABC laws regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages vary depending on the type of business and the day of the week. Here are the laws specifically regarding Sunday mornings:

• Grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and wine from 10 am to midnight on Sundays.
• Liquor stores are closed on Sundays.
• Wineries can serve alcohol from 10 am to midnight on Sundays.
• On-premise license holders, such as bars and restaurants, can serve alcohol from 10 am to midnight on Sundays, but only with the service of food before noon.
• During live events at sports venues, festivals, fairs, or concerts, alcohol can be served from 10 am to noon on Sundays, regardless of whether food is served.
• Certain bars or restaurants with a "late hours" permit can serve alcohol until 2 am any day of the week.
• Hotel bars can serve alcohol to registered guests at any time of day.

It is important to note that Texas has many different liquor licenses and permits, and each type of business may have slightly different rules. Additionally, some counties or municipalities may have separate alcohol laws enforced on top of the state laws.

Sunday morning drinking in New York

Until recently, sales of beer before noon on Sundays for off-premises consumption were prohibited statewide. This restriction was a remnant of a royal decree during the Colonial era. However, changes to the law in the late 2000s loosened these restrictions, and now, beer sales are only prohibited from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Sundays. This change was made to accommodate both New York City nightlife and late-night workers statewide.

In October 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of legislation aimed at improving alcoholic beverage laws for consumers and small business owners. This included allowing the retail sale of beer on Sundays and permitting liquor and wine stores to open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. This was a significant shift from the previously allowed hours of operation, which were between noon and 9 p.m. The legislation also addressed century-old post-Prohibition "blue laws" that had been limiting alcohol sales on weekends.

In New York, you can buy beer, wine, and liquor every day. Beer can be purchased from most retailers 24 hours a day from Monday to Saturday and outside of the hours of 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Sundays. Restaurants may serve alcohol between 8 a.m. and 4 a.m. throughout the week, and from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Sundays. Both beer delivery and growlers are legal in the state.

While there are no longer any statewide restrictions on Sunday beer sales in New York, it's important to note that individual counties and towns may have their own regulations. For example, some counties may set earlier closing times for bars and restaurants, and not all retailers may be licensed to sell alcohol. Additionally, there are still dry towns in New York that prohibit the sale of alcohol entirely.

Alcohol sales in Florida

Florida's alcohol sales laws can be confusing, especially when it comes to Sundays. Generally, alcohol sales are permitted on Sundays, but local laws can vary. For example, Miami-Dade County permits alcohol sales 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while Baker and Polk counties were previously dry on Sundays, only permitting sales after noon. However, Polk County has since changed this law, and beer and wine can now be purchased from 7 am onwards on Sundays.

In Florida, you can buy beer, wine, and liqueurs at convenience stores, supermarkets, and retail stores. Spirits or liquors are sold in package stores. Alcohol sales are typically not permitted between 1 am and 7 am, or 3 am and 7 am, depending on the source, but some counties are licensed to sell alcohol 24/7.

Florida's drinking laws also prohibit drinking on public property, including streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and beaches. This prohibition also extends to private property if the owner hasn't given permission.

It's important to note that Florida's alcohol laws can vary within the state, even within large metropolitan areas. So it's always a good idea to check the local laws and regulations for the specific county or municipality you're in.

Alcohol sales in Georgia

Days and Hours for Alcohol Sales:

Monday to Saturday: Alcohol sales for off-premises consumption are allowed from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. On Sundays, alcohol sales are permitted from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. However, some counties may prohibit Sunday alcohol sales altogether. Additionally, Georgia law allows local jurisdictions to set more restrictive rules, so closing times can vary.

Retailers:

Bars and Restaurants: Alcohol sales are permitted from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, alcohol can be served from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Some jurisdictions have a "brunch law" that allows alcohol service as early as 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.

Gas Stations: Beer and wine can be sold at gas stations from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, alcohol sales are allowed from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Gas stations do not fall under the "brunch bill" and cannot sell alcohol before 12:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Grocery Stores: Alcohol sales are permitted from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, alcohol can be sold from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Grocery stores are not allowed to sell liquor and can only offer beer and wine.

Package and Liquor Stores: These stores can sell alcohol from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, they must wait until 12:30 p.m. and close at 11:30 p.m. In some counties, liquor stores may be prohibited from selling distilled spirits or from opening on Sundays at all.

Breweries and Taprooms: Alcohol sales are permitted from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, the hours are restricted to 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Breweries and taprooms typically cannot sell alcohol for off-premise consumption.

Dry Counties:

Georgia has several dry counties that place restrictions on the type of alcohol sold and the times and places it can be purchased. Out of Georgia's 159 counties, 12 are considered dry: Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, Union, Butts, Decatur, and Upson counties. However, even within these dry counties, there are often specified "wet" areas where alcohol, including beer, can be purchased.

Minimum Drinking Age and Penalties:

The minimum drinking age in Georgia is 21 years old. It is illegal to sell alcohol to minors, and the penalty for doing so can include up to 6 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $300. Minors are allowed to consume alcohol in the presence of their parents or guardians if it is at the guardian's home. Other exceptions include a prescription from a physician and religious ceremonies.

Open Container Laws:

Georgia has strict open container laws that prohibit drinking or possessing an open alcoholic beverage inside a vehicle. The penalty for violating these laws can be a fine of up to $200. However, if the open container is in a locked glove box, trunk, or out of reach of all passengers, there should be no penalty.

DUI Laws and Penalties:

The legal limit for drivers in Georgia is 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for those 21 and older, and 0.02% BAC for those under 21. The penalties for driving under the influence vary depending on the age of the offender and the severity of the offense. For those between 16 and 20 years old, the penalties can include license suspension, fines, and participation in a DUI program. For offenders 15 and under, additional penalties may include a suspended license until the age of 17. For adults over 21, the consequences are more severe, including license suspension, higher fines, community service, and the possibility of jail time.

Alcohol sales in Indiana

In Indiana, alcohol can be sold between 7 a.m. and 3 a.m. throughout the week. However, alcohol sales at liquor, grocery, and convenience stores are limited from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. Indiana, along with 25 other states, allows alcohol to be sold at grocery stores. Indiana also allows people to drink alcohol in public places. Bar and restaurant patrons can legally take their drinks with them when they leave the premises, although individual establishments may have restrictions on this practice. Those taking a cab ride or paying for a ride are also permitted to drink in the vehicle. Otherwise, open containers in vehicles are prohibited.

The state of Indiana has a ban on happy hour. While bars and restaurants are allowed to offer drink specials, they are prohibited from selling alcohol at reduced prices during a certain period of the day. Businesses argue that this practice helps boost sales during slow times, but opponents fear that it promotes binge drinking.

In Indiana, it is a criminal offense to sell or furnish alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated person. In addition, the provider may experience civil liabilities if death or injury, even to a third party, occurs as a result of the act. Indiana law requires permittees and their employees to check the identification of any person under the age of 40 when conducting carryout sales.

Frequently asked questions