Ohio Beer Laws: Buying Limits And Age Restrictions

Alcohol sales laws vary widely across the United States, and Ohio is one of seventeen control states, meaning the sale of distilled spirits is controlled by the local government. In Ohio, beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased at grocery stores and other retail locations, but the state regulates the number of alcohol permits. The sale of beer and wine is also regulated to ensure no monopoly occurs. Alcohol sales in Ohio are overseen by The Division of Liquor Control, which controls all aspects of alcohol manufacturing, distribution, regulation, licensing, and merchandising.

In Ohio, alcohol can be sold between 5:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. with a special permit. However, consumption of alcohol on the premises of licensed retailers is prohibited between 1:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays between 1:00 a.m. and midnight.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol sales in Ohio were impacted by mandatory curfews and restrictions on in-person dining. In July 2020, the Ohio Liquor Control Commission passed an emergency rule requiring bars and restaurants to stop serving alcohol at 10:00 p.m., with customers given until 11:00 p.m. to finish their drinks. This rule was lifted in November 2020 and replaced by a curfew from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. All restrictions were eventually lifted in February 2021.

Beer can be bought at any time on Sundays

In Ohio, beer can be bought at any time on Sundays. This is because the state has no restrictions on the sale of beer on Sundays, other than that it must be after 5:30 a.m.

Ohio is one of seventeen "control" states, meaning that the sale of distilled spirits is controlled by the local government. In Ohio, you can purchase beer, wine, and liquor at grocery stores and other retail locations, but the state regulates the number of alcohol permits. The sale of alcohol in Ohio is overseen by The Division of Liquor Control, which controls all aspects of alcohol manufacturing, distribution, regulation, licensing, and merchandising.

The hours for selling alcohol in Ohio are as follows:

• Monday to Saturday: 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• Sunday: 5:30 a.m. to midnight

However, there may be some variations in different counties or jurisdictions within the state. For example, in some counties, alcohol sales may be prohibited between midnight and noon on Sundays. Additionally, a special permit may allow alcohol sales from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Sundays.

It is important to note that Ohio has strict laws regarding the purchase and consumption of alcohol by minors. Generally, it is illegal for anyone under 21 years old to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol, and doing so with a fake ID is a punishable offense. Minors may drink alcoholic beverages when a parent, guardian, or spouse of drinking age is present or for medical, religious, or educational purposes.

Wine can be bought from 10:01 on Sundays

In Ohio, wine can be purchased from 10:01 a.m. on Sundays. This is in contrast to beer, which can be bought at any time on Sundays, and spirits, which cannot be purchased until 11 a.m.

Ohio is one of seventeen "control" states, meaning that the sale of distilled spirits is controlled by the local government. The state regulates the number of alcohol permits, and alcohol sales are overseen by The Division of Liquor Control. While alcohol can be purchased from grocery stores and other retail locations, spirits can only be bought from liquor stores.

Historically, Ohio's Blue Laws prohibited the sale of alcohol on Sundays. In 2000, then-governor Bob Taft endorsed a law that allowed alcohol sales at sports arenas from 11:00 a.m. and in stores from 1:00 p.m. on Sundays.

From Monday to Saturday, alcohol can be sold between 5:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. On Sundays, sales are permitted from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., unless statutorily authorized otherwise.

Liquor can be bought from 11 am on Sundays

In Ohio, beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased at various times throughout the week. From Monday to Saturday, alcoholic beverages can be sold between 5:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. On Sundays, the sale of alcohol is prohibited from 1:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. and is dependent on location and license.

Liquor can be purchased from 11 a.m. on Sundays in Ohio. This is a result of a law passed in 2000 by then-governor Bob Taft, which allowed the sale of alcohol in sports arenas starting at 11:00 a.m. This law was a shift from Ohio's history of Blue Laws, which banned certain activities on Sundays, including the sale of alcohol.

The sale of liquor in Ohio is regulated by the state government, which controls the distribution and sale of distilled spirits. Liquor can only be purchased from liquor stores, while beer and wine can be bought from private retailers such as grocery and convenience stores.

It is important to note that the laws regarding alcohol sales can vary by county and city, and some locations may have more restrictive laws. Additionally, businesses can set their own hours within the legal timeframe, and some may require their staff to have an Ohio bartending license.

Minors can drink with parental consent

In Ohio, minors (those under 21) can drink alcoholic beverages with parental consent. This is also permitted if the minor is with a spouse or legal guardian who is over 21 years old. The parent, spouse, or guardian must be physically present and supervise the minor at all times. The parent assumes all responsibility and consequences should the minor cause damage or injury.

This also applies to drinking in restaurants, where the parent must be present and order the drink for the minor. However, restaurants and bars are not legally required to serve alcohol to minors, even if a parent is present, and can refuse to do so. This is at the discretion of the individual establishment.

It is illegal for minors to purchase alcohol, and using a fake ID is a punishable offence.

Liquor sales were restricted during the pandemic

In Ohio, the retail sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited from 1 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday to Saturday, and from 1 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. During these hours, consumption on the premises of such beverages is also prohibited.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, liquor sales in Ohio were restricted. The state was under a stay-at-home order, but stores that sold alcoholic beverages were exempt. The Ohio Liquor Control Commission's Emergency Rule of July 31, 2020, banned the sale of alcohol past 10 p.m. and consumption past 11 p.m. This was enacted to curb the spread of COVID-19, but it had a detrimental impact on the state's restaurants and bars, which suffered immensely from the restrictions. In response, Senate Bill 374 was proposed to repeal the curfew on alcohol sales, providing much-needed relief to the hospitality industry.

The bill aimed to protect the existing statutory rights of Ohio's establishments with liquor permits, allowing them to resume sales within the timeframes outlined in the Ohio Revised Code (Section 4303). It also sought to prevent disciplinary actions against permit holders for alleged violations of the July 31 rule, provided they otherwise complied with their liquor permit regulations. The bill received bipartisan support, with 22 state senators signing on as co-sponsors.

Additionally, in June 2020, the Ohio House passed HB 674, which allowed establishments with a "J permit" to extend their hours on Saturdays and Sundays. The bill also introduced the possibility of a "K permit," which would enable 24-hour alcohol sales in a community if approved by its residents. These legislative changes were intended to benefit businesses that had lost revenue during the pandemic due to restrictions on their operations.

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