Missouri Nighttime Beer Buying: Know The Legal Hours

Missouri is known for its relaxed alcohol laws, which are among the most permissive in the US. The state has no dry counties, and alcohol can be sold at properly licensed on- and off-premise locations every day of the week. On weekdays and Saturdays, beer can be purchased from 6 am to 1:30 am, and bars must close by this time. However, some bars in Kansas City and St. Louis are licensed to sell alcohol until 3 am. On Sundays, establishments with a special permit can sell beer during the same hours as the rest of the week.

Missouri's relaxed alcohol laws

Missouri's alcohol laws are among the most relaxed in the United States. The state has a long history of taking a laissez-faire approach to alcohol regulation, which is in stark contrast to some of its neighbouring states, such as Kansas and Oklahoma, which have very strict alcohol laws.

During the height of the temperance movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Missouri never implemented its own statewide prohibition. In fact, voters in the state rejected prohibition in three separate initiative elections in 1910, 1912, and 1918. When temperance crusader Carrie A. Nation entered a bar in Kansas City in 1901 and began smashing liquor bottles, she was promptly arrested and fined.

Today, Missouri has no dry jurisdictions, and alcohol can be sold at properly licensed on- and off-premise locations Monday through Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. These establishments can also apply for a Sunday sales permit, allowing them to sell alcohol during the same hours on Sundays.

• No open container law, allowing passengers in a vehicle to possess open containers of alcoholic beverages.
• No state public intoxication law.
• Liquor control law covers all beverages containing more than 0.5% alcohol, without further particularities based on percentage.
• Cities and counties are prohibited from banning off-premises alcohol sales.
• Special licenses are available for bars and nightclubs in certain areas, allowing them to sell alcohol until 3:00 a.m.
• Grocery stores, drug stores, and even gas stations may sell liquor without limitation other than hours.
• Patrons are allowed to take open containers out of bars in Kansas City's Power & Light District.
• Parents and guardians may furnish alcohol to their children.
• Missourians over 21 may manufacture up to 100 gallons of any liquor per year for personal use without any state limitation, taxation, or license.
• There are no state laws prohibiting drinking in public, although nearly all municipalities do prohibit it.
• Missouri has no state public intoxication law.
• Minors are permitted to drink beer with their parents in Missouri.

Sunday beer sales

Missouri has some of the most relaxed drinking laws in the United States. The state has a largely laissez-faire approach to alcohol regulation, in stark contrast to some of its neighbours, such as Kansas and Oklahoma, which have very strict alcohol laws.

Missouri permits the sale of alcohol at properly licensed on- and off-premise locations from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, retail locations, bars, and restaurants can sell beer from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. with a general alcohol sales permit and a Sunday sales permit. The Sunday sales permit in Missouri costs businesses $600 per year.

The state's alcohol laws are uniform across all counties, and there are no dry counties in Missouri. This means that, wherever you are in the state, you will be able to buy a six-pack of beer or get a drink at a bar or restaurant, with the only stipulation being the time of day.

The state's relaxed approach to alcohol regulation is partly due to its position as the leading alcohol-producing state in America. Missouri is well known for its wine production in the Missouri Rhineland and for beer production in St. Louis by Anheuser-Busch, which produces Budweiser. Anheuser-Busch is the principal advocate of keeping Missouri's alcohol laws as relaxed as they are.

In addition, Missouri has no open container laws in place for people aged 21 or older. It is legal to consume alcohol in public and, as a passenger, in the seat of a vehicle if you are over 21. It is, however, illegal to drink and drive, and there are specific laws and consequences in place for doing so.

On- and off-premise beer sales

Missouri is known for its relaxed alcohol laws, which are among the most permissive in the United States. The state has a largely laissez-faire approach to alcohol regulation, with no dry jurisdictions and no state public intoxication law. Missouri's liquor laws cover all beverages containing more than 0.5% alcohol by volume, without differentiating between types of alcohol based on percentage.

Missouri permits the sale of beer at properly licensed on- and off-premise locations. On-premise sales refer to sales for consumption on the premises, such as in bars and restaurants, while off-premise sales are for consumption elsewhere, such as in grocery stores and gas stations.

The hours for beer sales in Missouri are as follows:

• Monday to Saturday: 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
• Sunday: 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. with a Sunday sales permit

These hours apply to both on- and off-premise sales. However, establishments that sell alcohol for on-premise consumption in Kansas City and St. Louis can apply for a license to remain open until 3:00 a.m. every day.

Missouri's relaxed alcohol laws also allow some bars in Kansas City and St. Louis to double as liquor stores. These establishments can sell liquor by the drink (individually for consumption on-premise) and by the package (by the container for off-premise consumption). Off-premise sales in these bars must still cease by 1:30 a.m., even if they have a special license to serve liquor until 3:00 a.m.

In addition to bars and restaurants, beer can be purchased from breweries, taprooms, grocery stores, package stores, and even gas stations in Missouri. The state has no specific limitations on the places where alcohol can be sold off-premise, as long as the business obtains the proper licenses and is not located within 100 feet of a school or church.

Beer delivery services

Missouri is one of the most alcohol-permissive states in the US, with no open container law, no state public intoxication law, and no dry jurisdictions. Beer, wine, and spirits can be purchased from grocery stores, drug stores, and gas stations, and there are no limitations on the number of drinks that can be bought at once. Missouri also has permissive laws regarding the delivery of alcohol.

Several companies offer beer delivery services in Missouri, including:

• Instacart: This service connects you with a personal shopper in your area who will buy and deliver beer, wine, liquor, and extras like mixers and soda to your door. Same-day delivery is available, and orders can be placed via the Instacart app or website.
• Minibar Delivery: This company delivers wine, beer, spirits, and mixers to your door in as little as 30-60 minutes. You can browse thousands of products from local store partners and place your order via the Minibar Delivery website or app.
• Total Wine & More: This service delivers wine, beer, and spirits to the Saint Louis area.

Missouri has no specific state limitations on the places where alcohol may be sold "off-premises", which is why a wide range of retailers are able to offer beer delivery services.

Drinking and driving laws

Missouri's drinking and driving laws are strict, with severe penalties for those charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI). The legal drinking age in the state is 21, and it is a crime to consume alcohol before reaching this age. Driving under the influence of alcohol is a separate offence from driving while intoxicated, with the latter referring specifically to operating a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated state.

The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers over the age of 21 in Missouri is 0.08%. For those under 21, the limit is much lower at 0.02%. An underage driver can face legal consequences if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above this level, and may have their driving privileges suspended or revoked. First-time underage DWI offenders may have their license suspended for up to 90 days, while repeat offenders can face longer suspensions or revocations. In addition, underage drivers convicted of a DWI offence can face possible jail time and substantial fines.

For adult drivers, a first DWI offence is classified as a Class B misdemeanour, which carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $500. Drivers convicted of a first DWI offence will also have their driver's license suspended for 30 days, followed by a 60-day restricted driving period. A second offence is classified as a Class A misdemeanour and carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. A third offence is a Class D felony, with a penalty of up to four years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000. A fourth offence is a Class C felony, with a penalty of up to seven years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000. A fifth offence or more is a Class B felony, with a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 15 years in prison.

In addition to these penalties, drivers convicted of a DWI offence in Missouri may also be required to complete a substance abuse treatment program and may have their vehicle impounded. They may also be subject to increased insurance rates and may find it difficult to obtain or maintain employment, particularly if their job requires a clean driving record.

Frequently asked questions