Missouri's Early Beer Purchase: What's The Earliest Legal Time?

Missouri's liquor laws are among the most permissive in the US, with a largely laissez-faire approach to alcohol regulation. The state has no dry jurisdictions, and alcohol can be purchased from 6 am to 1:30 am every day, including Sundays. However, minors under 21 are prohibited from purchasing or possessing alcohol, and businesses can face fines or lose their liquor license if they sell to underage customers.

Missouri alcohol laws and Sunday sales

Missouri's alcohol laws are among the most permissive in the United States. The state is known for its laissez-faire approach to alcohol regulation, in contrast to its neighbouring states, such as Kansas and Oklahoma, which have stricter laws.

Before 1934, Missouri cities like St. Louis and Kansas City had banned Sunday liquor sales. The state's original 1934 Liquor Control Law prohibited the sale of beverages with more than 5% alcohol by volume on Sundays, but this restriction was lifted in 1975.

In 2021, Missouri updated its laws to allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays between 6 am and 1:30 am, the same hours as other days of the week. This change in the law also applies to wine, brandy, and malt liquor. Liquor can be sold for consumption at convention trade areas in Kansas City, North Kansas City, Jackson County, St. Louis County, and St. Louis. Additionally, religious, civic, fraternal, or other non-profit organisations can sell liquor at events starting at 6 am.

Missouri has no specific state limitations on the places where alcohol can be sold "off-premises", meaning that grocery stores, drug stores, and even gas stations can sell a wide variety of beer, wine, and liquor. As long as it is not within 100 feet of a school or church, any retail business can sell alcohol as long as it has the proper licenses. Missouri law prohibits the sale of alcohol between 1:30 am and 6:30 am Monday through Saturday, and between 1:30 am and 6:30 am on Sunday.

The state's Liquor Control Law covers any alcoholic beverage that contains more than 0.5% alcohol by volume. Any beverage containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume is exempt from alcohol regulation and is only subject to ordinary food safety laws.

Buying beer in Missouri: the legal drinking age

Missouri has some of the most relaxed alcohol laws in the United States. The state has a largely laissez-faire approach to alcohol regulation, with no statewide prohibition. Missouri's alcohol laws cover any beverage containing more than 0.5% alcohol by volume.

The legal drinking age in Missouri is 21. It is against state law to consume, purchase, or possess alcohol if younger than 21. However, Missouri is one of six states with an exception that allows a minor to be furnished alcohol by their parent or guardian.

The hours for retail alcohol sales are between 6:00 am and 1:30 am Monday through Saturday, and for an additional license fee, between 1:30 am and 6:30 am on Sunday. Most municipalities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, have local laws that prohibit the retail sale of liquor between 1:30 am and 6:30 am Tuesday through Saturday and between midnight on Sunday and 9:00 am the following morning.

Missouri has no specific state limitations on where alcohol can be sold "off-premises" for consumption elsewhere. This means that grocery stores, drug stores, and even gas stations throughout the state can sell a wide variety of beer, wine, and liquor as long as they are not located within 100 feet of a school or church and have the proper licenses.

While Missouri has no state law prohibiting drinking in public, it is a misdemeanor to be intoxicated and disorderly or to consume or offer alcoholic beverages in any school, church, or courthouse. Despite this, nearly all municipalities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, prohibit drinking in public.

Buying beer in Missouri: ID requirements

Missouri's alcohol laws are among the most permissive in the United States. The state has a largely laissez-faire approach to alcohol regulation, with no statewide prohibition. The state's alcohol laws also do not differentiate between types of alcohol based on the percentage of alcohol in a given beverage.

In Missouri, it is illegal for minors (those under the age of 21) to consume, purchase, or possess alcohol. This means that retailers must ensure that they only sell alcohol to those who are 21 or older.

When purchasing alcohol in Missouri, individuals may be asked to present a valid form of identification to prove that they are of legal drinking age. This typically includes a driver's license or a government-issued ID card. The ID must be current and not expired. Some retailers may also have policies requiring everyone in a party to present valid ID, regardless of their age, as a way to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors.

It is important to note that the legal drinking age in Missouri is strictly enforced, and providing false or expired identification can result in legal consequences. The state takes these laws seriously, and there may be fines or other penalties for retailers who violate these laws.

In addition to ID requirements, there are also specific hours during which alcohol can be purchased in Missouri. Alcohol sales are permitted from 6:00 am to 1:30 am, Monday through Sunday. These hours apply to both on-premise purchases, such as at bars and restaurants, and off-premise purchases, such as at grocery or liquor stores.

While Missouri has permissive alcohol laws, it is important for individuals to abide by the legal drinking age and for retailers to ensure they are only selling alcohol to those of legal age.

Buying beer in Missouri: where to buy

Missouri's approach to alcohol regulation is largely laissez-faire, and it has no dry jurisdictions. The state's alcohol laws are among the most permissive in the United States.

Missouri has no specific state limitations on the places where alcohol may be sold "off-premises" (i.e. for consumption elsewhere). This means that grocery stores, drug stores, and even gas stations throughout the state sell a wide variety of beer, wine, and liquor. As long as it is not located within 100 feet (30 m) of a school or church, virtually any retail business (including a vague and undefined "general merchandise store") can sell any type of alcohol, as long as it obtains the proper licenses from the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and local authorities.

Missouri does, however, limit the hours of retail alcohol sales to between 1:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and – for an additional license fee – between 1:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on Sunday. Most municipalities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, have enacted local laws following the state law, which prohibit the retail sale of liquor between 1:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and between midnight on Sunday and 9:00 a.m. the following morning.

What to keep in mind when buying beer in Missouri

• Missouri's drinking age has been 21 since 1945. It is against state law to consume, purchase, or possess alcohol if younger than 21.
• A minor in possession (MIP) of alcohol or a business or person who furnishes alcohol to a minor is guilty of a misdemeanour.
• Missouri is one of six states with a unique exception that allows a minor to be furnished alcohol by their parent or guardian.
• Missouri has no general open container law for vehicles, which means that any non-driving vehicle passenger is permitted to possess an open container and consume alcohol in Missouri while the vehicle is in motion.
• Missouri has no state public intoxication law.
• It is a misdemeanour in Missouri to be both intoxicated and disorderly or to consume or offer any alcoholic beverage specifically in any school, church, or courthouse.

Buying beer in Missouri: other considerations

• Missouri has no state law prohibiting drinking in public, although nearly all municipalities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, do prohibit it.
• In 2005, a new law was passed specifically allowing patrons of any "entertainment district" in Downtown Kansas City to remove any alcoholic beverage from any establishment in the district and carry it openly throughout the district, provided that the beverage is in a plastic cup marked with the logo of the establishment at which it was purchased.
• In 2021, a law was passed allowing the sale of alcohol on Sundays between the hours of 6 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. Previously, the selling of alcohol could only take place on Sundays between 9 a.m. and 12 a.m.

Buying beer in Missouri: hours of sale

Missouri has some of the most permissive alcohol laws in the United States. The state's approach to alcohol regulation is largely laissez-faire, in stark contrast to the stricter alcohol laws of neighbouring states such as Kansas and Oklahoma.

Missouri's hours for retail alcohol sales are between 6:00 am and 1:30 am Monday through Sunday. This includes beer, wine, and liquor.

Alcohol Sales on Sundays

Previously, the selling of alcohol on Sundays could only take place between 9 am and 12 am. However, a new law that came into effect on 28 August 2021 allows the sale of alcohol on Sundays between the hours of 6 am and 1:30 am. This change aligns Sunday alcohol sales with the hours in place for sales during the rest of the week.

Alcohol Sales in Bars

Alcohol sales at bars in Missouri must stop at 1:30 am. This is the same closing time for on-premise sales at restaurants and bars.

Local Laws

Some municipalities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, have enacted local laws that prohibit the retail sale of liquor between 1:30 am and 6:30 am Tuesday through Saturday and between midnight on Sunday and 9:00 am the following morning.

Age Restrictions

It is against state law in Missouri to consume, purchase, or possess alcohol if you are under 21 years of age.

Where to Buy Alcohol

Missouri has no specific state limitations on where alcohol can be sold "off-premises" (i.e. for consumption elsewhere). This means that grocery stores, drug stores, and even gas stations throughout the state can sell a wide variety of beer, wine, and liquor.

Open Container Laws

There is no open container law in Missouri. This means that passengers in a vehicle who are 21 years and older can possess open containers of alcoholic beverages. However, drivers are forbidden from drinking alcohol while driving.

Frequently asked questions