When Can You Legally Buy Beer In East Tennessee?

The earliest time that beer can be purchased in East Tennessee depends on the day of the week and the type of establishment. From Monday to Saturday, beer can be bought from 8 a.m. in grocery and convenience stores, and until 11 p.m. the same day. On Sundays, beer sales start later at 10 a.m. and end at 11 p.m. Bars and restaurants are allowed to sell beer from 8 a.m. until 3 a.m. the next day, Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Sundays. It's important to note that alcohol sales are prohibited on Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas.

Beer in grocery stores

In Tennessee, the sale of beer is strictly regulated, and the operating hours of grocery stores are no exception. From Monday to Saturday, beer can be purchased from grocery stores between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. On Sundays, the sale of beer is prohibited until 10 a.m. and must stop by 11 p.m. like any other day of the week.

It is important to note that these hours apply to off-premises consumption. This means that beer can be purchased from grocery stores during these hours to be consumed elsewhere.

Additionally, there are certain days when the sale of beer is prohibited in Tennessee. Grocery stores cannot sell beer on Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter. Therefore, it is advisable to buy beer in advance if you plan to consume alcohol during these major holidays.

While Tennessee's beer laws may seem restrictive, it is worth noting that the state has relaxed its regulations in recent years. For instance, since 2016, consumers have been able to purchase beer and wine in grocery stores, providing added convenience.

The state's history with alcohol laws is quite interesting. Tennessee was the first state to pass a Prohibition law almost 200 years ago, and even today, it has several dry counties where the sale of alcohol is prohibited or restricted. However, it is important to note that the sale of beer does not change a county's designation from dry to wet. As a result, many dry counties in Tennessee lawfully sell beer in convenience stores and gas stations.

When purchasing beer from a grocery store in Tennessee, it is essential to keep in mind the legal drinking age in the state, which is 21 years old. It is illegal for grocery stores to sell beer to minors, and doing so can result in significant consequences.

In conclusion, while Tennessee's beer laws may vary across counties, the state generally allows the sale of beer in grocery stores from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. However, no beer sales are permitted on Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter. By understanding and adhering to these regulations, consumers can responsibly enjoy their favourite beers from grocery stores across Tennessee.

Beer in bars and restaurants

In Tennessee, the earliest time you can buy beer in bars and restaurants is 8 a.m. from Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sundays. These establishments can continue selling beer until 3 a.m. the following day.

However, it's important to note that beer sales are prohibited on certain holidays, including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Additionally, Tennessee has strict laws against serving alcohol to minors, and businesses are not allowed to offer free drinks to customers.

The legal drinking age in Tennessee is 21, and individuals below the age of 18 cannot serve or sell alcohol. It is illegal to use a fake ID to purchase alcohol, and doing so can result in fines ranging from $50 to $200.

When it comes to alcohol consumption and driving, Tennessee has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08 for drivers aged 21 and older. For commercial driver's license holders, the limit is lower at 0.04. Anyone under 21 is prohibited from having any detectable amount of alcohol in their system while operating a vehicle.

Buying beer on Sundays

Once it hits 10 am, you have a few options for purchasing beer. Bars and restaurants can sell you beer from 10 am to 3 am on Sundays. However, if you prefer to buy from a grocery or liquor store, their hours are typically from 10 am to 11 pm. It's important to note that these establishments are not allowed to sell alcohol on Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter, so keep that in mind when planning your purchases during the holiday season.

While Tennessee is not a dry state, it does have several dry counties where the sale of alcohol is prohibited or restricted. So, depending on your specific location in East Tennessee, the availability of beer may vary. It's always a good idea to check the local laws and regulations in your county to ensure you're complying with any specific rules or restrictions.

In terms of age restrictions, the legal drinking age in Tennessee is 21 years old. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase or consume alcohol. Additionally, individuals below the age of 18 are not allowed to serve or sell alcohol in the state.

Beer delivery

Timing of Beer Delivery

Rules for Beer Delivery

The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) outlines specific rules that must be followed for beer deliveries in the state:

• The delivery must be made only to the physical address provided by the individual who placed the order.
• The delivery must be documented with a verification of delivery, which needs to be signed by the recipient.
• The recipient must present a valid, government-issued photo ID as proof of being over the legal drinking age of 21.
• Only actual employees of the retail package store are authorised to deliver beer and other alcoholic beverages. The store cannot contract with any other business or individual for this purpose, except for a TABC-licensed delivery service.
• A record of all deliveries must be meticulously maintained, including details such as the deliverer, recipient, products delivered, time, and place of delivery.

Where to Order Beer Delivery

Considerations for Beer Delivery

When ordering beer delivery in East Tennessee, it's important to keep a few things in mind:

• The legal drinking age in Tennessee is 21, and it is a criminal offence to use a fake ID to purchase alcohol.
• Beer deliveries are prohibited on certain holidays, including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.
• Some establishments may have their own policies and choose to stop selling and delivering alcohol earlier than the mandated hours.
• Always ensure that you are present at the delivery address during the authorised hours to receive your beer order.

By following these guidelines, residents of East Tennessee can enjoy the convenience of beer delivery while complying with the local regulations.

Drinking laws in Tennessee

Tennessee has a long history of temperance beliefs and was the first state to pass a Prohibition law. While it is not a dry state, it does have a number of dry counties where the sale of alcohol is prohibited or restricted. In many cases, a municipality within a dry county will be wet, meaning alcohol sales are permitted.

The sale of alcohol in Tennessee is restricted by time and place. Grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations may sell beer from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. every day of the week, except on Sundays, when sales can start at 10:00 a.m. They may also sell wine, except on Sundays. Liquor or package stores may sell beer, wine, and spirits from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. They must close on Sundays, as well as on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Restaurants and bars may serve alcohol from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 a.m. on Sundays.

The legal drinking age in Tennessee is 21. It is illegal for those under 21 to drive if they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.02%. The state has a zero-tolerance policy for drinking under 21 and does not permit parents to serve their children alcohol in their homes, even for religious or cultural reasons. It is also illegal for anyone to buy alcohol for a person under 21.

Tennessee has strict laws regarding the sale of alcohol to minors. It is illegal to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under 21, and doing so can result in the suspension of the server's or seller's driver's license for up to one year, community service of up to 100 hours, and a permanent criminal record. The use of a fake ID to buy alcohol is a criminal offense and can result in a fine of $50 to $200 and a suspended license for up to one year.

Open container laws in Tennessee prohibit drivers from possessing an open container of alcohol, but passengers are allowed to have open containers and to consume alcohol in the vehicle.

Frequently asked questions