Buying Beer: When Can You Get It At Groceries?

The time at which beer can be purchased varies depending on location and day of the week. In Texas, grocery and convenience stores can sell beer from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday, and from 7 a.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. on Sunday. On Sundays, beer sales are permitted from 10 a.m. to midnight. In Austin, Texas, beer can be purchased in stores between 12 p.m. and 12 a.m. on Sundays. Additionally, some states allow beer to be purchased 24 hours a day, every day.

Beer and wine sales in Texas grocery stores

Texas has strict laws regarding the sale of alcohol, and the timing of beer and wine sales in grocery stores depends on the day of the week.

Monday to Friday

On weekdays, beer and wine can be sold between 7 a.m. and midnight in grocery and convenience stores.

Saturday

On Saturdays, sales can begin at 7 a.m. and continue until 1 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Sunday

Sunday sales hours for beer and wine in grocery stores are from 10 a.m. until midnight.

It is worth noting that these timings are the same for on-premise consumption in bars and restaurants, except that alcohol can only be served from 10 a.m. to noon on Sundays if it is accompanied by food. If food is not included in the order, alcohol sales can begin at noon.

Additionally, a wine-only package store that holds a beer license may not sell wine with an alcohol content exceeding 17% on Sundays or after 10 p.m. on any day. If a wine-only package store does not have a beer license, it must adhere to the same operating hours as a liquor store, remaining closed on Sundays.

Beer and wine sales in other states

The Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution grants each state and territory the power to regulate intoxicating liquors within their jurisdiction. As such, laws pertaining to the production, sale, distribution, and consumption of alcohol vary significantly across the country.

Alabama

State-owned liquor stores are closed on Sundays and public holidays, but private liquor stores don't have to follow those rules. Many counties prohibit alcohol sales between midnight and noon on Sundays. Aside from that, most liquor laws are set by local jurisdictions.

Alaska

Alaska state liquor law allows sales between 8 am and 5 pm any day of the week. Most local jurisdictions have more restrictive liquor laws.

Arizona

In Arizona, you can buy alcohol between 6 am and 2 am every day of the year.

Arkansas

Where it's not otherwise restricted by local jurisdiction, alcohol sales are prohibited.

California

In California, you can buy alcohol, on- or off-premises, from 6 am to 2 am any day of the year. Cities and counties can set additional restrictions.

Colorado

Liquor is only available at liquor stores and licensed drug stores.

Connecticut

There are no longer state-wide Sunday prohibitions, but local ordinances can restrict on-premises sales on Sundays. Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day are also restricted.

Delaware

Liquor sales are prohibited on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Large municipalities can set stricter hours.

District of Columbia

Liquor sales are prohibited after 2 am on Sundays, 3 am before federal and district holidays, and 4 am on New Year's Eve.

Florida

State liquor laws in Florida prohibit selling hours (on- and off-premises) between 1 am and 7 am. However, counties can override this restriction. For example, in Miami-Dade County, liquor stores are allowed to be open 24/7.

Georgia

The only state-wide rule is that Sunday off-premises sales are disallowed from 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm by default – your local jurisdiction needs to opt-in to Sunday afternoon sales by referendum. Otherwise, liquor laws are set by local jurisdiction.

Hawaii

You can buy alcohol until 2 am (or 4 am with a cabaret license) in Hawaii. In Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Counties, alcohol sales are restricted to between 6 am and 11 pm.

Idaho

State liquor law in Idaho allows liquor to be sold between 10 am and 1 am, but you can start buying beer and wine at 6 am. Counties and cities can extend alcohol service until 2 am. Liquor can't be sold on Sundays or on Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Counties and cities can make exceptions, but no exceptions can be made for Christmas Day.

Illinois

Most liquor laws are set by local jurisdiction. However, you can probably buy alcohol right now in a few counties. Cicero and Rock Island County have 24-hour bars. Cook County and Metro East have some 21- to 22-hour bars.

Indiana

Most liquor laws are set by local jurisdiction.

Iowa

In Iowa, alcohol selling hours run from 9 am to 2 pm on Sunday. Every other weekday, it's 6 am to 2 am. Liquor is restricted to state-run stores.

Kansas

Alcohol sales are prohibited on Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving.

Kentucky

While Kentucky does have state liquor laws related to alcohol selling hours, there are so many exceptions that you'll need to check with your local jurisdiction.

Louisiana

Alcohol sales hours are set by local jurisdictions. In Cameron Parish and the metro areas of New Orleans and Lake Charles, bars are open 24 hours. However, those within the city limits of Lake Charles must close on Sundays. In Shreveport, bars stop selling alcohol at 6 am downtown and 4 am elsewhere. Most other municipalities stop on-premises service at 3 am or earlier.

Maine

In Maine, you can buy alcohol between the hours of 5 am and 1 am every day.

Maryland

Maryland's liquor laws are set by local jurisdictions, so it varies. Some jurisdictions prohibit Sunday alcohol sales, including some parts of Baltimore County and Garrett County.

Massachusetts

Alcohol sales are prohibited on Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day (and the following day if Christmas falls on a Sunday), and New Year's Day. An extra half-hour of sales is allowed before a holiday. Individual cities and towns are allowed to restrict on-premises sales before 11 am or after 11 pm. <

Sunday beer and wine sales in Texas

Texas has what are known as "blue laws", which prohibit the sale of certain items on Sundays. These laws were originally designed to protect Sunday as a day of worship, limiting commercial activities to encourage church attendance.

In 1961, Texas placed blue laws on 42 items, including liquor, banning their sale on consecutive weekend days. While many of these laws have since been repealed, restrictions on alcohol sales remain.

Beer and wine can be purchased from grocery and convenience stores in Texas from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. This change was made in 2021, moving the start time from noon to 10 a.m.

Sunday Liquor Sales in Texas

The sale of liquor is prohibited on Sundays in Texas. Liquor stores must remain closed, and can only operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Sunday beer and wine sales in other states

Sunday beer and wine sales laws vary across the United States. In Texas, beer and wine can be purchased from grocery and convenience stores from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. In Indiana, Sunday carry-out alcohol sales are allowed between noon and 8 p.m. In North Carolina, a "brunch law" permits counties to allow alcohol sales starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

Some states have more restrictive laws. For example, in Arkansas, 39 out of 75 counties are "dry", meaning the sale of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited entirely. In Indiana, grocery and convenience stores are prohibited from selling cold beer.

The laws have changed in recent years in some states. For example, in 2011, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed legislation allowing local communities to vote on whether to allow alcohol sales on Sundays. In 2010, Arizona repealed a law that limited alcohol sales hours on Sundays. In 2012, Connecticut repealed a ban on selling alcohol on Sundays.

The laws vary widely, and it's always a good idea to check the regulations in your specific state or locality.

Texas liquor laws

Grocery and Convenience Stores

Grocery and convenience stores in Texas can sell beer and wine from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, sales begin at 7 a.m. and extend until 1 a.m. on Sunday mornings. On Sundays, sales now start at 10 a.m. and continue until midnight.

Liquor Stores

Liquor stores are only open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. They are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, they remain closed on the following Monday.

Wineries

Wineries can serve alcohol from 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

On-Premises Consumption

On-premises consumption, such as at bars or restaurants, is allowed from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday. On Sundays, alcohol can be served from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., or from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with the service of food.

Certain bars or restaurants with a "late hours" permit can serve alcohol until 2 a.m. any night of the week. Hotel bars can serve hotel guests at any time of day.

Off-Premises Beer/Wine License or Permit

Off-premises beer/wine license or permit holders, such as convenience stores or grocery stores, can sell alcohol from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday. On Sundays, sales are allowed from 10 a.m. to midnight.

Public Consumption

The legal hours of public consumption of alcohol vary depending on the type of area.

In an "extended-hours area", public consumption is allowed from 7 a.m. to 2:15 a.m., Monday to Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 2:15 a.m. on Sunday. Consumption is allowed from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sundays when alcohol is sold with the service of food or at a winery, fair, festival, concert, or sports venue.

In a "standard-hours area", public consumption is permitted from 7 a.m. to 12:15 a.m., Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. on Sunday. Consumption is allowed from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sundays when alcohol is sold with the service of food or at a winery, fair, festival, concert, or sports venue.

Age Requirements

In Texas, you must be 21 years old to legally drink and purchase alcohol. Employees selling or serving alcohol in on-premises establishments, such as bars or restaurants, must also be 21 or older. There is no minimum age for employees of off-premises establishments, such as grocery or convenience stores.

Frequently asked questions