If you're looking to buy beer in Delaware, the latest last call is 1 a.m. every day, including Sundays. After that, no more alcohol can be served, and by 1:30 a.m., all alcoholic drinks must be locked away.
There are some differences in the hours that retailers can sell alcohol. Off-premise retailers (e.g. liquor stores) can sell from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays, their hours are from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. On-premise retailers (e.g. bars and restaurants) can sell alcohol between 9 a.m. and 1 a.m. every day.
It's worth noting that during the months of October, November, and December, off-premise retailers can open as early as 8 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Days of the week when beer can be bought | Monday to Saturday |
Time beer can be bought on the above days | 9 am to 1 am |
Days of the week when beer cannot be bought | Sunday |
Time beer can be bought on Sunday | 12 pm to 8 pm |
Days when beer cannot be bought | Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas |
Time beer cannot be bought on the above days | N/A |
Days when beer cannot be bought due to elections | National and statewide elections |
Time beer cannot be bought on the above days | N/A |
What You'll Learn
- On-premise retailers can sell alcohol between 9 a.m. and 1 a.m. every day
- Off-premise retailers can sell alcohol from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday
- On Sundays, off-premise retailers can sell alcohol from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m
- Alcohol delivery is illegal except for direct shipments
- Delaware does not allow direct-to-consumer shipping
On-premise retailers can sell alcohol between 9 a.m. and 1 a.m. every day
On-premise retailers in Delaware can sell alcohol between 9 a.m. and 1 a.m. every day. This includes bars and restaurants, breweries and taprooms, and any other licensed on-premise retailer. On-premise sales refer to the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises where it is sold.
On-premise retailers are permitted to sell alcohol for both on-premise and off-premise consumption. Off-premise consumption is when alcohol is purchased and then taken off the premises to be consumed elsewhere. For example, a bar may sell a bottle of wine to a customer to take home and drink.
Licensed on-premise retailers in Delaware are also permitted to sell alcohol to-go, as long as the container is sealed. However, there are limits on the amount that can be purchased to-go. Sales are restricted to one 750ml bottle of wine, six beers, and mixed cocktails only.
Licensed on-premise retailers in Delaware are also permitted to fill growlers if they have the appropriate license.
It is important to note that the legal hours of sale for on-premise retailers in Delaware may be different on election days when the polls are open, as alcohol sales are prohibited on these days. Additionally, municipalities can make the required closing time earlier for on-premise retailers based on a vote.
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Off-premise retailers can sell alcohol from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday
In Delaware, off-premise retailers can sell alcohol from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m., Monday through Saturday. This includes liquor stores, which are the only retailers where you can buy alcohol for off-premise consumption.
Off-premise retailers are permitted to sell alcohol during extended hours on Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. They are also allowed to open earlier, at 8 a.m., on Fridays and Saturdays between October and December.
However, off-premise retailers are prohibited from selling alcohol on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Additionally, alcohol sales are prohibited during national and statewide elections.
It is important to note that municipalities in Delaware can implement earlier required closing times for off-premise retailers.
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On Sundays, off-premise retailers can sell alcohol from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m
In Delaware, on Sundays, off-premise retailers can sell alcohol from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. This is a reduced schedule compared to the rest of the week, when off-premise retailers can sell alcohol from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
The state of Delaware has extended legal hours of sale for off-premise retailers during the months of October, November, and December. During these months, off-premise retailers can open as early as 8 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
On-premise retailers in Delaware can sell alcohol between 9 a.m. and 1 a.m. Monday through Sunday.
Off-premise retailers are not permitted to open on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Easter Day. On-premise retailers may be open on these days but are not required to be. On election days when the polls are open, no retailer may sell alcohol.
Additionally, municipalities can make the required closing time earlier for both off and on-premise retailers based on a vote.
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Alcohol delivery is illegal except for direct shipments
In the state of Delaware, alcohol delivery is illegal except for direct shipments. This means that, while you cannot get alcohol delivered from a restaurant, you can get it delivered from an out-of-state manufacturer, as long as you are a Delaware resident and follow certain restrictions. These include that the order must be accepted by an individual aged 21 or older, wine orders must not exceed 60 750 ml bottles per year, and beer orders must not exceed 6 cases of 12 oz bottles per year. The delivery must also go from the manufacturer to a wholesaler to a retailer before reaching the customer.
The Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner (OABCC) controls every aspect of alcohol in Delaware, including manufacturing, licensing, selling, consumption, producing, distributing, and importing. The state is not considered "dry", as it does not prohibit the production or sale of alcohol. However, it does retain the power to manage access to alcohol.
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Delaware does not allow direct-to-consumer shipping
In the state of Delaware, you can buy beer from on-premise retailers between 9 a.m. and 1 a.m. every day of the week. Off-premise retailers can sell alcohol from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, their hours are from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
While direct purchasing of beer and wine is legal in Delaware, the state does not allow direct-to-consumer shipping. A Delaware resident cannot order alcohol and have it delivered to their home. This prohibition applies to new orders, re-orders, subscription orders such as wine clubs, and orders placed at the point of sale.
However, a Delaware resident who legally purchases alcohol from a manufacturer at the premises may transport the alcohol home themselves or arrange for shipment personally. In addition, a winery or brewery outside of Delaware may apply for and receive a Direct Shipper license from the OABCC, which allows them to accept orders from Delaware residents and ship wine or beer to a licensed Delaware wholesaler for customer pick-up at a licensed retail store.
There are ongoing efforts to change this law. For example, House Bill 259 aims to allow craft beverage makers to ship alcohol to Delawareans' doorsteps. A survey of 500 Delaware residents found that more than 85% of respondents support direct-to-consumer alcohol sales. Another bill, House Bill 262, would allow all types of direct-to-consumer wine shipments, up to three 9-liter cases to a single household per year, as long as the wine producer holds a valid license.
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Frequently asked questions
In Delaware, you can buy beer from on-premise retailers between 9 a.m. and 1 a.m. every day of the week. Off-premise retailers can sell beer from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, their hours are 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
No, there are some restrictions on when you can buy beer. The hours mentioned above are the only times you are legally allowed to purchase beer in the state.
Yes, there are a few days when off-premise retailers are not allowed to sell beer. These include Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Easter Day. On election days when the polls are open, no retailer may sell beer or any other type of alcohol.
No, the sale of alcohol is not permitted in grocery stores in Delaware. You can only purchase alcohol for off-premise consumption at a liquor store.
Yes, Walmart does not sell beer in Delaware. However, Target and CVS do sell beer in the state.