Buying Beer In South Carolina: What You Need To Know

South Carolina's beer laws can be tricky. While the state has no dry counties, there are still many restrictions on when and where you can buy beer. For instance, Sunday beer sales are banned statewide, but some counties and cities have been granted permission to sell beer on Sundays through referendums. In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of buying beer in South Carolina, including the best places to purchase it and the specific hours of operation for different types of establishments. We will also delve into the history of alcohol laws in the state and how they have evolved over time. So, if you're planning to grab a cold one in South Carolina, read on to ensure you don't run into any legal hiccups!

Where to buy beer in South Carolina

South Carolina has a variety of options for purchasing beer, although the specific laws regarding when and where you can buy it differ from county to county. Here is a comprehensive guide to where you can buy beer in the state of South Carolina.

Bars and Restaurants

Bars and restaurants in South Carolina are permitted to sell beer from 10 am to 2 am, Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, beer sales are stopped at midnight, and on Sundays, they are prohibited unless the county has given permission. These locations offer beer on draft and in bottles and cans, but it is important to note that you cannot purchase beer from bars or restaurants for off-premise consumption.

Gas Stations

Gas stations in South Carolina are allowed to sell beer 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday. Beer sales on Sundays are prohibited unless the gas station is located in a county or city that permits it. Gas stations typically offer a variety of can sizes, including 12 oz, 19.2 oz, and 24 oz cans.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores in South Carolina sell beer, but only for off-premise consumption. They are typically open from 9 am to 7 pm every day except Sunday, unless the store is in a city or county that allows Sunday alcohol sales.

Breweries and Taprooms

Breweries and taprooms in South Carolina generally follow the same hours of operation as bars and restaurants, selling beer from 10 am to 2 am, Monday through Saturday. Many breweries are closed on Mondays, and some may have different operating hours. In counties that allow it, breweries and taprooms can sell beer starting at 10 am on Sundays. They offer beer on draft for on-premise consumption and also sell growlers, packaged beer in bottles and cans, and kegs to go.

Package and Liquor Stores

It is important to note that package and liquor stores in South Carolina do not sell beer. These state-run stores only sell liquor and high ABV wines and are typically open from 9 am to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday, unless permitted by local governance to open on Sundays.

When you can buy beer in South Carolina

South Carolina's beer laws can be tricky. While there are no dry counties in the state, and you can buy beer almost anywhere, there are specific times when you can purchase it.

On-premise locations, such as restaurants and bars, are permitted to sell beer Monday to Saturday, typically from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. On Sundays, beer sales are banned statewide, unless the county or city has been granted permission through a referendum. Some counties and cities that allow Sunday sales include Abbeville, Charleston, Columbia, Darlington, Dorchester, Georgetown, and Horry.

For off-premise locations, such as grocery or convenience stores, beer can be purchased 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday. However, some counties and cities may enforce time restrictions, such as Pickens County, which does not allow sales after 2 a.m.

It's important to note that beer cannot be purchased at liquor stores in South Carolina, and there are no beer sales on Christmas Day.

So, if you're looking to buy beer in South Carolina, be sure to check the local laws and plan your purchases accordingly.

Age restrictions for buying beer in South Carolina

South Carolina has a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving for people under the age of 21. The legal drinking age in the state is 21, and there are exceptions where minors are allowed to drink alcohol under specific circumstances. Minors are permitted to drink alcohol for religious purposes or with their parent or guardian inside their home. However, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.02% or higher. For those over 21, the legal BAC limit for driving is 0.08%.

In South Carolina, it is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. The use of false identification to buy alcohol is a crime and may lead to driver's license revocation. It is also illegal to transfer or give alcohol to a person under the age of 21 for the purpose of consumption, unless the minor is recruited and authorised by a law enforcement agency to test compliance with laws relating to the unlawful transfer or sale of alcohol to minors.

Buying beer in South Carolina on Sundays

South Carolina's Sunday beer laws vary depending on location. While Sunday beer sales are banned statewide, some counties and cities have been granted permission to sell beer on Sundays through referendums.

Counties that can sell beer on Sundays:

• Abbeville
• Berkeley
• Beaufort
• Charleston
• Darlington
• Dorchester
• Georgetown
• Greenwood
• Horry
• McCormick
• Newberry
• Oconee
• Richland (unincorporated areas only)
• York
• Lancaster
• Lexington

Cities that can sell beer on Sundays:

• Columbia
• Spartanburg
• Charleston
• Greenville
• Aiken
• Rock Hill
• Summerville
• Santee
• Daniel Island
• Clemson
• Hardeeville
• Tega Cay

In these counties and cities, beer can be purchased on Sundays for off-premise consumption 24 hours a day. On-premise consumption laws differ from county to county and city to city.

For example, in Columbia, local option permits allow food establishments to sell and serve beer, wine, and liquor on Sundays from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Mondays.

Buying Beer on Other Days

On days other than Sunday, beer can be purchased from bars and restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and breweries and taprooms. However, beer cannot be purchased at liquor stores.

Bars and restaurants are allowed to sell beer from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and until midnight on Saturdays. Gas stations can sell beer 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday. Grocery stores typically sell beer from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Sunday.

Breweries and taprooms follow similar hours to bars and restaurants, often with varying opening and closing times, and many are closed on Mondays.

Buying beer in South Carolina for off-premise consumption

South Carolina's alcohol laws can be tricky to keep up with, as they vary from county to county and are subject to change. Here is a guide to buying beer in South Carolina for off-premise consumption:

Where to Buy Beer for Off-Premise Consumption

You can buy beer for off-premise consumption from a variety of places in South Carolina, including grocery stores, gas stations, and breweries. However, it is important to note that package and liquor stores in the state do not sell beer.

When You Can Buy Beer for Off-Premise Consumption

The timing of beer sales for off-premise consumption in South Carolina depends on the day of the week. Off-premise locations can sell beer 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, the sale of beer is banned statewide, unless permitted by referendum. Some counties and cities have been granted permission to sell beer on Sundays through referendums. These include Abbeville, Berkeley, Beaufort, Charleston, Darlington, Dorchester, Georgetown, Greenwood, Horry, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Richland (unincorporated areas only), and York.

Amount Restrictions for Off-Premise Consumption

In South Carolina, there are restrictions on the amount of beer that can be sold to an individual for off-premise consumption. According to state law, the maximum amount of beer that can be sold to an individual per day for off-premises consumption is 864 ounces in total.

Age Restrictions for Off-Premise Consumption

The minimum drinking age in South Carolina is 21. However, minors are permitted to drink alcohol for religious purposes or with their parent or guardian inside their home. Places that sell beer or alcohol are not permitted to sell to anyone under the age of 21.

Frequently asked questions