Tennessee's Early Beer Buying: Laws And Limits

If you're planning a party or just fancy a drink, it's useful to know the alcohol laws in your state. In Tennessee, the legal drinking age is 21, and the laws around when and where you can buy alcohol are quite specific. So, how early can you buy beer in Tennessee?

From Monday to Saturday, beer is typically available to purchase from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. in grocery and convenience stores. On Sundays, the sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages in these stores is permitted from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. However, it's important to note that alcohol sales are prohibited on certain holidays, including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, so make sure to stock up in advance if you plan to drink on those days.

If you're looking to enjoy a beer at a bar or restaurant, the hours are a little different. From Monday to Saturday, alcohol is generally served from 8 a.m. until 3 a.m. the following day. On Sundays, the sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants starts later, at 10 a.m.

It's worth mentioning that the laws regarding alcohol sales can vary slightly depending on the local jurisdiction and the type of establishment. For example, in some dry counties, the sale of alcohol may be restricted, and certain counties may have specific laws prohibiting the sale of wine and spirits. Additionally, while Tennessee has relaxed its alcohol laws in recent years, it's important to remember that drinking and driving is illegal, and there are strict penalties for those found to be in violation of this law.

Beer can be purchased from grocery stores, package stores, and gas stations on Sundays between 10 am and 11 pm

In Tennessee, beer can be purchased from grocery stores, package stores, and gas stations on Sundays between 10 am and 11 pm. This law applies to both off-premises establishments like grocery and liquor stores, and on-premises establishments like bars and restaurants.

The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Grocery stores in Tennessee were previously prohibited from selling wine on Sundays, but this law was changed in 2019. Now, grocery stores are permitted to sell wine seven days a week.

It's important to note that while the law mandates the hours during which alcohol can be sold, individual establishments may choose to close earlier at their own discretion.

Bars and restaurants may sell beer on Sundays from 10 am to 3 am

In Tennessee, the sale of beer is subject to different regulations depending on the day of the week and the type of establishment.

Bars and restaurants in Tennessee are permitted to sell beer from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m., Monday through Saturday. However, on Sundays, beer sales in these establishments are only allowed between 10 a.m. and 3 a.m. This means that on Sundays, bars and restaurants can start selling beer two hours later than on other days. This later start time for Sunday sales is a specific regulation that applies only to bars and restaurants, and not to other types of businesses that sell alcohol.

The state's regulations allow for a similar two-hour delay in the sale of beer on Sundays in retail package stores, which include grocery and liquor stores. These stores are allowed to sell beer from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, however, beer sales in these stores are prohibited before 10 a.m., resulting in reduced hours for Sunday sales, similar to bars and restaurants.

It is important to note that these regulations do not apply to all counties in Tennessee. Some counties have their own restrictions on alcohol sales, and there are even a few dry counties where alcohol sales are prohibited altogether. Additionally, beer sales are not permitted on certain holidays, including Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, regardless of the type of establishment or the day of the week.

Alcohol cannot be purchased on Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas

Alcohol laws can be confusing and hard to remember. In Tennessee, grocery stores cannot sell wine on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. However, grocery stores can sell beer on these days, but not wine. Retail liquor stores are closed on these three holidays.

So, if you're planning a party or get-together on one of these holidays, make sure to stock up on wine and liquor the day before. Bars and restaurants, on the other hand, can sell alcohol all year round, including on these three holidays.

It's worth noting that Tennessee's alcohol laws have evolved over time. For example, in 2023, a new law was passed that allowed liquor stores to be open on Sundays, and grocery stores to sell wine on Sundays and holidays.

While the legal drinking age in Tennessee is 21, parents or legal guardians are allowed to provide alcohol to their minor children under supervision and in private residences.

Bars and restaurants may sell beer Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 3 am

In Tennessee, bars and restaurants may sell beer from 8 am to 3 am, Monday to Saturday. However, on Sundays, beer sales in bars and restaurants are permitted only between 10 am and 3 am.

These timings are specific to on-premises consumption establishments. For off-premises consumption, such as grocery and liquor stores, beer can be sold from 8 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, off-premises beer sales are allowed from 10 am to 11 pm.

It is important to note that beer sales are prohibited on certain holidays, including Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Additionally, some counties in Tennessee have their own restrictions on alcohol sales, so it is advisable to check the local laws in your area.

Grocery and liquor stores can sell beer Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 11 pm

In Tennessee, grocery and liquor stores can sell beer from 8 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday. This law came into effect in 2019, when the state legislature decided to "uncork the prohibition of Sunday wine and liquor sales".

Beer sales are still prohibited on some holidays, including Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. So, if you're planning a party, you'll need to stock up on beer the day before.

While grocery and liquor stores are limited to selling beer until 11 pm, bars and restaurants can continue to sell beer until 3 am, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, bars and restaurants are permitted to sell beer between 10 am and 3 am.

It's worth noting that Tennessee has a mix of wet and dry counties, and some counties have their own restrictions on alcohol sales. For example, in Moore County (a dry county), you can purchase beer with a meal. So, it's always a good idea to check the local laws before buying beer in Tennessee.

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