Beer Buying In North Carolina: Late-Night Restrictions

North Carolina has some unique laws regarding the sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages. Beer can be purchased in the state at bars, restaurants, and licensed retailers from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and after noon on Sundays. However, these times may vary between counties, and some counties may have additional restrictions. For example, until recently, Graham County was the only dry county in the state, meaning that the sale of alcohol was illegal there. Additionally, North Carolina has some other notable alcohol-related laws, such as the prohibition of happy hours and the restriction of alcohol sales on Sundays.

Beer can be purchased on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. in North Carolina

Beer lovers in North Carolina can enjoy a wide range of options when it comes to purchasing their favourite beverage. The state offers flexibility in buying beer, with sales permitted every day of the week. Here is everything you need to know about buying beer in North Carolina on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Where to Buy Beer in North Carolina

North Carolina presents a variety of options for purchasing beer, including bars, restaurants, breweries, taprooms, and licensed retailers. Beer enthusiasts can visit these locations to get their desired brew.

Weekday Beer Sales Hours in North Carolina

Beer sales in North Carolina are allowed from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays (Monday to Saturday). This timeframe provides a substantial window for individuals to purchase beer from their preferred establishments.

Beer Sales Regulations in North Carolina

While the state permits beer sales during the specified hours, it is important to note that individual counties and cities may have their own regulations. These local rules can further restrict the sale of beer, so it is advisable to be aware of the laws in your specific area within North Carolina.

Happy Hour and Drink Specials

North Carolina has unique regulations regarding happy hours and drink specials. Establishments are prohibited from offering discounted drinks for a limited time, commonly known as happy hours. However, they can provide drink specials if the discount is applied for the entire day. Additionally, on specific days like New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day, businesses can offer package deals that include alcoholic beverages as part of the price.

Sunday Beer Sales in North Carolina

The "Brunch Bill" of 2017 brought a significant change to Sunday beer sales in North Carolina. Prior to this bill, beer sales were not permitted before noon on Sundays. Now, beer enthusiasts can purchase their favourite brew as early as 10 a.m. on Sundays from restaurants and other licensed locations.

On Sundays, beer can be sold after 10 a.m. or noon

North Carolina's alcohol laws can be a little confusing, especially when it comes to Sunday sales. The good news is that beer can definitely be sold on Sundays, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

First and foremost, it's important to know that the sale of beer and alcohol in North Carolina is regulated by the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission. The ABC Commission operates liquor stores across the state, which are the only places that sell liquor. These ABC stores are closed on Sundays, so no liquor sales are permitted on that day.

For beer, the rules are a bit more relaxed. On Sundays, beer can be sold after 10 a.m. or noon. This is thanks to the "Brunch Bill" of 2017, which allowed restaurants and other licensed establishments to start selling alcohol earlier on Sundays. Before this bill, no alcohol sales were permitted before noon on Sundays. So now, you can purchase beer from bars, restaurants, and retail locations after 10 a.m. or noon on Sundays.

It's worth noting that individual counties and cities in North Carolina may have their own regulations regarding alcohol sales, so the hours may vary from place to place. Additionally, some counties may have additional restrictions on Sunday sales. For example, in Wake County, the sale of alcoholic beverages is only permitted from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Sundays.

So, if you're looking to buy beer in North Carolina on a Sunday, your best bet is to check with the specific establishment or county regulations to find out their exact hours of sale. But generally, you'll be able to purchase beer after 10 a.m. or noon.

In addition to the regulations on Sunday sales, it's important to be mindful of North Carolina's other alcohol-related laws. For example, happy hour drink specials are illegal in the state, and there are strict rules against selling alcohol to minors. So, while you can enjoy a beer on a Sunday, it's important to be aware of and follow the local laws to avoid any issues.

North Carolina permits beer sales on holidays

On other days, beer sales are allowed from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. in bars, restaurants, and licensed retailers. However, on Sundays, beer sales are only permitted after noon.

It's worth noting that North Carolina has some unique alcohol-related laws. For example, "happy hours" and "bottomless" drink specials are illegal in the state. Additionally, North Carolina liquor stores are government-owned, and liquor is only sold at ABC stores, which are closed on Sundays.

Beer is available for purchase at gas stations in the state

Gas stations must have a permit for off-premise alcohol sales and can sell beer in cans and bottles ranging from 12 to 24 ounces. There is an 80-liter maximum for beer sales at gas stations in North Carolina, and customers may only receive one drink at a time.

While North Carolina allows beer sales at gas stations, liquor and other spirits are only sold at state-run Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) stores. These stores are closed on Sundays, and no alcohol sales are permitted between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. on any day of the week.

It's important to note that North Carolina's alcohol laws can vary between counties and cities, with some imposing additional restrictions. For example, Graham County in western North Carolina was previously the only "dry" county in the state, prohibiting all alcohol sales, but as of 2021, it now permits alcohol sales in select locations.

North Carolina has no dry counties

Until 2021, Graham County was the only dry county in North Carolina, but it now permits alcohol sales in select locations. The state's alcohol laws can be quite complex, with some counties and municipalities having their own regulations. For instance, Old Fort is a dry town, but it is located within McDowell County, which is officially wet.

In North Carolina, liquor stores are government-owned and operated by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABC). ABC stores are closed on Sundays, and there are restrictions on alcohol sales on this day. On-premise and off-premise locations, such as restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and convenience stores, can sell alcohol after 10 a.m. on Sundays, although this is subject to local approval.

North Carolina also has some unique alcohol-related laws. For example, happy hour drink specials are illegal in the state, and establishments can only offer food specials during this time. Bottomless mimosas or similar drink offers are also prohibited. Additionally, it is illegal to have open containers or broken seals on alcohol bottles in your car.

Frequently asked questions