Missouri has some of the most relaxed alcohol laws in the United States. The state permits the sale of alcohol at properly licensed on- and off-premise locations from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, businesses with a general alcohol sales permit can sell alcohol during the same hours. Alternatively, businesses can pay an additional fee for a Sunday sales permit, allowing them to sell alcohol from 6 a.m. on Sunday through 1:30 a.m. on Monday. These laws apply to the sale of beer, wine, and liquor in Missouri.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Days of the week beer can be sold | Monday to Saturday |
Hours beer can be sold | 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. |
Sunday beer sales | Allowed with a permit |
Sunday beer sales hours | 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. |
Sunday sales permit cost | $600 per year |
Age restriction | 21 years old |
What You'll Learn
Beer can be purchased from 6 am to 1:30 am Monday to Saturday
Missouri has some of the most relaxed drinking laws in the United States. Beer can be purchased from 6 am to 1:30 am Monday to Saturday at on- and off-premise locations with a general alcohol sales permit. These times are the same for any place that sells beer.
On Sundays, retail locations, bars, and restaurants can sell beer during the same hours with a Sunday sales permit, which costs businesses $600 per year.
The state's alcohol laws are very straightforward and are loose compared to some other states. Missouri permits the sale of alcohol at properly licensed on- and off-premise locations.
Missouri is also one of only six states with no state law prohibiting drinking in public. There are no open container laws in place for those 21 or older.
However, it is illegal to drink and drive in Missouri. The legal limit for drinking and driving is 0.08% BAC for those 21 or older, and 0.02% for those under 21.
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Sunday sales are allowed from 6 am to 1:30 am with a permit
Missouri has some of the most relaxed drinking laws in the country. The state has a largely laissez-faire approach to alcohol regulation, with no dry counties and no restrictions on selling or consuming alcohol except for state laws.
On weekdays, alcohol sales are permitted from 6 am to 1:30 am. Sunday sales are allowed from 6 am to 1:30 am with a permit. This permit costs businesses $600 per year.
The state's relaxed approach to alcohol regulation stems from its position as the leading alcohol-producing state in America. Missouri is known for its wine production in the Missouri Rhineland and for beer production in St. Louis by Anheuser-Busch, which produces Budweiser.
Missouri's drinking laws also allow open containers for those aged 21 or older. This means that passengers in a vehicle who are 21 or older can possess open containers of alcoholic beverages. However, drivers are forbidden from drinking alcohol while driving.
The minimum drinking age in Missouri is 21, and it is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under this age. However, Missouri is one of six states that allow minors to drink alcohol with their parents or guardians in moderation during dinner and religious services or gatherings.
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Bars close at 1:30 am
Bars in Missouri are required to close at 1:30 am. This is the same closing time for on-premise bars and restaurants and off-premise sales at grocery or liquor stores. The state has some of the most relaxed drinking laws in the country, with a largely laissez-faire approach to alcohol regulation.
The sale of alcohol in Missouri is permitted from 6 am to 1:30 am, Monday to Saturday, at on- and off-premise locations. These establishments can apply for a Sunday sales permit to sell alcohol during these times on Sundays. The Sunday sales permit costs businesses $600 per year.
Missouri's drinking laws are unique in that they do not differentiate between types of alcohol based on the percentage of alcohol in a given beverage. The Liquor Control Law covers any alcoholic beverage that contains more than 0.5% alcohol by volume. This means that the same laws apply to beer, wine, and spirits.
The state also has no open container laws for those aged 21 or older. This means that passengers in a vehicle who are 21 or older can possess open containers of alcoholic beverages. However, drivers are forbidden from drinking alcohol while driving.
Missouri's drinking age is 21, and it is illegal for businesses to sell alcohol to anyone under this age. However, Missouri is one of six states that allow minors to drink alcohol with their parents or guardians.
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There are no dry counties in Missouri
Missouri's alcohol laws are among the most permissive in the United States. The state is known for its largely laissez-faire approach to alcohol regulation, in stark contrast to the very strict alcohol laws of some of its neighbouring states, such as Kansas and Oklahoma.
Missouri's relaxed attitude towards alcohol regulation is partly due to its position as the leading alcohol-producing state in America. It 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.
During the height of the temperance movement in the late 19th century and early 20th century before nationwide prohibition, Missouri never implemented its own statewide prohibition. On the contrary, the voters of Missouri rejected prohibition in three separate initiative elections in 1910, 1912, and 1918.
In 1857, a Missouri statute left all liquor regulation to localities, including the question of whether to ban alcohol, except for the collection of licensing fees. As a result, despite the lack of statewide prohibition, by the end of nationwide prohibition in 1934, half of Missouri's counties had gone dry. However, Missouri immediately enacted its first Liquor Control Law, which repealed and superseded those local laws. This was the first time Missouri had any statewide control of liquor.
Today, Missouri has no dry jurisdictions whatsoever. Missouri state law specifically prohibits any counties, or unincorporated city or town from banning the retail sale of liquor, but only allows incorporated cities to ban the sale of liquor by public referendum. No incorporated Missouri cities have ever chosen to hold a referendum banning alcohol sales. In addition, Missouri state law specifically supersedes any local laws that restrict the sale of alcohol.
Missouri's alcohol laws have generally always been relaxed. For example, the state has no blue laws, and its alcohol taxes are well below average. Missouri also has no state open container law, no state public intoxication law, and no state law prohibiting drinking in public.
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The minimum drinking age is 21
In the state of Missouri, the minimum drinking age is 21. This means that it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to consume, purchase, or possess alcohol. The law has been set at this age since 1945 and is in line with the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which came into effect on January 1, 1985. Missouri's drinking age law ensures that the state complies with federal regulations and does not lose federal highway funds.
While the drinking age in Missouri is 21, there is a unique exception that allows minors to be furnished alcohol by their parent or legal guardian. This exception permits parents or guardians to provide their underage children with alcohol for consumption on their private property. However, it is important to note that purposefully intoxicating a child would be considered child abuse. The exception is intended to allow parents to let their children have a small amount of alcohol with a meal, at social gatherings, or in religious services.
Missouri's approach to alcohol regulation is generally permissive and laissez-faire, especially when compared to neighbouring states like Kansas and Oklahoma. The state has a long history of rejecting prohibition, dating back to the temperance movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Even during nationwide prohibition, political boss Tom Pendergast ensured that Kansas City's liquor industry remained unaffected. Today, Missouri has no dry jurisdictions, and alcohol is widely available for purchase in various retail stores, including grocery stores, drug stores, and gas stations.
While the minimum drinking age in Missouri is 21, there are no specific laws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol by minors. However, it is a misdemeanor for a minor to be in possession of alcohol or for a business or person to furnish alcohol to a minor. Additionally, Missouri has a "Zero Tolerance Law" for driving under the influence, which applies to anyone under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .02 or greater. This law can result in the suspension or revocation of the minor's driver's license.
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Frequently asked questions
Beer can be purchased in Missouri from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday to Saturday.
Yes, with a general alcohol sales permit, beer can be sold on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Monday.
The minimum drinking age in Missouri is 21.