Buying Beer: When Can You Legally Purchase It?

The time you can buy beer depends on where you are in the world. In the United States, the legal drinking age is 21, and each state has the power to regulate the sale of alcohol within its jurisdiction. For example, in Texas, you can buy beer from grocery stores or other retailers starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays and have until midnight to do so. In Ohio, licensed businesses can serve alcohol from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, with last call typically around 2 a.m. On Sundays, businesses with a special license can serve alcohol from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Where can I buy beer?

The answer to this question will depend on where you are located, as the laws surrounding the sale of beer vary from state to state.

In Texas, for example, beer can be bought at grocery stores or other retailers from 10 am to midnight on Sundays, and from 7 am to midnight Monday through Friday, and 7 am to 1 am on Saturdays. In San Francisco, California, there are numerous liquor stores, wine tasting rooms, and breweries where beer can be purchased, but the specific hours of sale are unclear.

In Alabama, beer and wine are not controlled by the state, but spirits are. Beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets, but spirits cannot. There is a 6% ABV cap on beer sales, and bottles cannot exceed 16 oz. In Alaska, there is no state control over alcohol sales, and sales are permitted from 8 am to 5 am. Liquor sales are not allowed in grocery stores.

These are just a few examples of where you can buy beer and the relevant laws. It's important to check the specific laws in your state or location for the most accurate information.

Can I buy beer on a Sunday?

The ability to buy beer on a Sunday depends on where you are. In the United States, for example, this varies from state to state.

In Texas, for instance, grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and wine between 7 a.m. and midnight from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, sales begin at 7 a.m. and extend until 1 a.m. on Sunday mornings. In 2021, Texas updated its laws regarding the purchase times for beer and wine on Sundays, moving it from noon to 10 a.m. However, it is against the law to sell beer or any type of liquor before 10 a.m. on a Sunday.

In Georgia, the only state-wide rule is that Sunday off-premises sales are disallowed from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. by default. However, your local jurisdiction needs to opt-in to Sunday afternoon sales by referendum.

In New York, there used to be a law that prohibited the sale of alcohol before noon on Sundays, but this has since been lifted.

In Florida, alcohol sales are prohibited before noon on Sundays.

In Arizona, you can buy alcohol between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. every day of the year.

In Connecticut, there are no longer state-wide Sunday prohibitions, but local ordinances can restrict on-premises sales on Sundays.

What time can I buy beer on a Sunday?

The time you can buy beer on a Sunday depends on where you are. In the United States, this varies by state.

In Texas, you can buy beer on Sundays between 10 a.m. and midnight. In Indiana, beer can be bought on Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. In Iowa, beer is available from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays. In Georgia, Sunday off-premises sales are prohibited from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. unless your local jurisdiction opts in to Sunday afternoon sales. In Florida, beer cannot be bought before noon on Sundays. In Arizona, beer can be purchased between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. every day of the year. In New York, beer cannot be bought before noon on Sundays. In Illinois, beer can be purchased for off-premise consumption from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. seven days a week. In California, beer can be purchased on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.

In some states, the time beer can be purchased on Sundays also depends on the type of business. For example, in Texas, beer can be purchased from 10 a.m. on Sundays at fairs, festivals, concerts, bars, restaurants, and sporting events, as long as the facility has the proper permits. In New York, beer can be purchased from supermarkets and gas stations at any time on Sundays, but not from liquor stores.

What time do beer sales end on a Sunday?

The time that beer sales end on a Sunday varies depending on the state and the type of retailer.

Alabama

Beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets, but spirits cannot. Alcohol can be served 24 hours a day unless restricted by local ordinances. Twenty-six of Alabama's sixty-seven counties do not allow alcohol to be sold, although possession and consumption remain legal.

Arizona

Alcohol sales are permitted from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays.

Arkansas

Arkansas has 75 counties, 39 of which are "dry", meaning the sale of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited entirely. Alcohol and liquor sales are prohibited in most counties on Sundays and statewide on Christmas Day.

California

Alcohol can be sold from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. any day of the year.

Connecticut

There are no longer state-wide Sunday prohibitions, but local ordinances can restrict on-premises sales.

Delaware

On-premise sale is allowed from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday to Saturday, and from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays, subject to local ordinances.

Florida

State liquor laws prohibit selling hours (on- and off-premises) between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. However, counties can override this restriction. For example, in Miami-Dade County, liquor stores are allowed to be open 24/7.

Georgia

Sunday off-premises sales are disallowed from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. by default. However, local jurisdictions can opt-in to Sunday afternoon sales by referendum.

Hawaii

On-premise sale is allowed from 11:50 a.m. to 6 a.m. if the proper cabaret licensing is in place.

Illinois

For the most part, you can buy alcohol for off-premise consumption from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m., seven days a week. If you’re at a bar or restaurant, alcohol can be purchased between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. from Monday to Friday. Some bars are open even later on Saturdays.

Indiana

On-premise sales are allowed from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Sundays. Off-premise sales are not allowed on Sundays.

Iowa

In Iowa, alcohol selling hours run from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays.

Kansas

On-premise sales are allowed from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Saturday, and from noon to 7 or 8 p.m. on Sundays.

Kentucky

While Kentucky does have state liquor laws related to alcohol selling hours, there are so many exceptions that you need to check with your local jurisdiction.

Louisiana

Alcohol sales hours are set by local jurisdictions. In Cameron Parish and the metro areas of New Orleans and Lake Charles, bars are open 24 hours. However, those within the city limits of Lake Charles must close on Sundays.

Maine

In Maine, you can buy alcohol between the hours of 5 a.m. and 1 a.m. every day.

Maryland

Maryland's liquor laws are set by local jurisdictions, so it varies. Some jurisdictions prohibit Sunday alcohol sales, including some parts of Baltimore County and Garrett County.

Massachusetts

Alcohol sales are banned from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. every day. Alcohol sales were also banned on Sundays until 12 p.m., and on Christmas from 12 a.m. until 12 p.m., until a repeal in late 2010.

Michigan

On- and off-premise sales are allowed from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. and from noon to 2 a.m. on Sundays.

Minnesota

Local jurisdictions can restrict off-premises sales hours.

Mississippi

Local jurisdictions typically dictate the alcohol sales/service hours in Mississippi. Sunday sales are prohibited in most of Mississippi.

Missouri

Liquor law in Missouri allows on- and off-premises sales from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. every day of the year.

Montana

Alcohol sales are restricted by some local ordinances.

Nebraska

While the sale of alcohol starts at 6 a.m., liquor stores may open earlier in certain areas with local approval. Sunday sales can vary by jurisdiction.

Nevada

Unless you're in the township of Penaca (which is dry), alcohol sales are allowed any hour of the day, any day of the year.

New Hampshire

Grocery stores

Can I buy beer on a holiday?

The ability to buy beer on a holiday depends on the state and the type of alcohol being purchased. Some states, like Texas, ban the sale of liquor on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, then liquor sales are also banned the following Monday. However, beer and wine can be purchased at grocery stores or other retailers starting at 10 am on Sundays and on some holidays.

In Arkansas, all alcohol sales are banned on Christmas Day, and Sunday sales are banned in some counties. Colorado allows grocery stores to sell full-strength wine and beer, but takeaway alcohol sales are banned on Christmas Day. In Connecticut, alcohol sales are prohibited on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, and retail alcohol stores must close by 6 pm on Sundays.

Georgia generally prohibits alcohol sales on Christmas Day, but municipalities with 400,000 or more residents can decide to allow sales after 12:30 pm. After overturning the statewide Sunday sales ban, counties now determine if alcohol can be sold on that day.

Kansas, a state that was prohibitionist until 1948, bans all retail alcohol sales on Christmas. Oklahoma bans all retail alcohol sales on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and counties have the option to enact additional bans on holidays and Sundays.

North Carolina, a control state, requires stores to be closed on Sundays and most holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. South Carolina law makes it illegal to sell liquor on Christmas Day and Sundays, and counties decide about beer and wine sales on Sundays.

Texas law bans the sale and serving of hard liquor (over 17% ABV) on Sundays. On Christmas and New Year's Day, all alcohol sales are barred. If either of these holidays falls on a Sunday, sales are banned the following Monday.

Therefore, it is important to check the specific laws and regulations of your state to determine if you can buy beer on a holiday.

Frequently asked questions