Buying Beer On Sundays: Where In Georgia?

In Georgia, the sale of alcohol is regulated by the state, with counties setting their own specific laws. While the state does not heavily restrict the sale, production, or consumption of liquor, there are certain times when alcohol may not be sold. In 2023, Georgia had 12 dry counties, which restrict the type of alcohol that can be sold and the times and places it can be bought. State laws allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., but counties can prohibit this. Some counties do not allow alcohol sales at any time on Sundays.

Alcohol sales hours in Georgia

Monday to Saturday:

For off-premise consumption, alcohol can typically be purchased from licensed retailers between 7:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. This includes gas stations, grocery stores, liquor stores, breweries, and taprooms. However, some counties may have more restrictive laws, and not all retailers may be open during these hours.

For on-premise consumption, bars and restaurants can generally serve alcohol from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. However, some counties may have different regulations, and restaurants may close earlier.

Sundays:

On Sundays, the sale of alcohol is restricted in Georgia. For off-premise consumption, retailers are typically allowed to sell alcohol between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. or 11:45 p.m. However, some counties may prohibit alcohol sales altogether on Sundays or restrict sales to a shorter time frame.

For on-premise consumption, bars and restaurants in some jurisdictions have a "brunch law" that allows them to serve alcohol as early as 11:00 a.m. on Sundays. However, they must still stop serving by 11:30 p.m.

It is important to note that Georgia has several "dry counties" that place restrictions on the type of alcohol sold and the times and places it can be purchased. These counties include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, Union, and White (except for the city of Helen). Butts and Decatur counties prohibit on-site alcohol consumption, while Upson County allows on-site consumption but prohibits retail alcohol sales.

Additionally, the minimum drinking age in Georgia is 21, and it is illegal to sell or serve alcohol to anyone below this age, with some exceptions for minors drinking with parental consent at home.

Dry counties in Georgia

Georgia has a complex relationship with alcohol, and its alcohol laws can be confusing. While the state is not dry, meaning you can buy alcohol there, it does have some surprising laws and dry counties.

As of 2023, there were nine dry counties in Georgia: Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, and Union counties. White County is also dry, but the city of Helen is wet.

In these dry counties, retail liquor sales are illegal. However, it's important to note that some counties may have different regulations for on-site consumption in places like bars and restaurants. For example, Butts and Decatur counties prohibit alcohol sales for on-site consumption but allow off-site consumption. On the other hand, Upson County prohibits retail alcohol sales but permits alcohol service in bars and restaurants.

Alcohol Sales in Georgia

The state of Georgia allows local jurisdictions to set more restrictive rules for alcohol sales, which can vary from county to county. Generally, in Georgia, alcohol sales for off-premises consumption are allowed from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, off-premises retailers can sell alcohol from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Bars and restaurants have slightly different rules. Some jurisdictions have a "brunch law," allowing alcohol service to begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays. However, they must still stop serving alcohol by 11:30 p.m. On other days of the week, bars and restaurants can start selling alcohol at 9:00 a.m. and must stop by 2:00 a.m.

It's worth noting that individual counties can further restrict these permitted alcohol sale hours but cannot allow retail sales outside the state-mandated timeframe.

On-premise consumption regulations

On-premise alcohol sales are allowed in bars and restaurants from 9 am to 2 am, Monday to Friday, and from 11 am to 11:30 pm on Sundays. Some jurisdictions have a ""brunch law"" that allows alcohol service in bars and restaurants to begin at 11 am on Sundays. Additionally, certain restaurants may close earlier than the latest time they can serve alcohol, and some counties may require bars to close earlier.

In Atlanta, a recent measure has been passed allowing the purchase of alcoholic beverages from 11 am to midnight on Sundays. This is an extension of the previous hours, which were permitted from 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm.

It is important to note that the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays is prohibited within 250 feet of any polling place. Additionally, the governing authority of any county or municipality may prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages on Christmas Day.

Off-premise consumption regulations

Georgia is not a dry state, but it does have dry counties. The state does not heavily restrict the sale, production, or consumption of liquor. However, there are certain times when alcohol may not be sold.

In Georgia, you can buy beer for off-premises consumption between 8:00 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, beer may be sold from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. These times may vary depending on the county, as counties can restrict permitted alcohol sale hours, but they can't allow retail sales outside of the above times.

Grocery stores may sell alcohol from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Monday to Friday. Their Sunday alcohol hours are 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Many grocery stores will be open outside of these hours, but the sale of beer and wine is restricted to the times mentioned.

Liquor stores in Georgia may sell alcohol from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. on Monday to Friday. They may not sell alcohol on Sunday until 12:30 p.m. and must close at 11:30 p.m. In some counties, liquor stores may be prohibited from selling distilled spirits, and they may not be allowed to sell on Sundays.

Gas stations can sell beer from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, they can sell alcohol between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Gas stations are not covered by the "brunch bill", which allows bars and restaurants to serve alcohol as early as 11 a.m. on Sundays.

In the city of Atlanta, alcoholic beverages can be purchased from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

Alcohol delivery services

In Georgia, the sale of alcohol is regulated by the state, with local jurisdictions also able to set their own more restrictive rules. Alcohol can be sold between 12:30 pm and 11:30 pm on Sundays, except in certain counties where alcohol sales are banned on Sundays.

Frequently asked questions