When Can You Buy Beer In Georgia?

In Georgia, the sale of alcohol is regulated by the state government, but individual counties are allowed to set their own rules and restrictions. Generally, in Georgia, beer and wine can be purchased at convenience and grocery stores, while distilled spirits are only sold at licensed package stores. From Monday to Saturday, alcohol sales in Georgia can begin as early as 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. and must end by 11:45 p.m. On Sundays, alcohol sales are restricted to between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. for off-premises consumption. On-premise consumption regulations vary by county, with some cities enacting a brunch bill that allows bars and restaurants to serve alcohol starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays.

Monday to Saturday beer sales hours

In Georgia, the sale of alcohol is regulated by the state government, but individual counties are allowed to set their own rules and restrictions. From Monday to Saturday, alcohol sales in Georgia can begin no earlier than 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. and must end by 11:45 p.m. for off-premises retailers like gas stations, grocery stores, and liquor stores.

On Sundays, alcohol sales are restricted to the hours between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. for these same retailers.

It's important to note that some counties in Georgia are ""dry counties," meaning they prohibit the sale of alcohol entirely. These include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, Union, and White Counties. Additionally, Butts and Decatur Counties prohibit alcohol sales for on-site consumption.

Bars and restaurants have slightly different regulations. They can start selling alcohol at 9 a.m. from Monday to Saturday and must stop by 2 a.m. On Sundays, they can serve alcohol from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and some jurisdictions have a ""brunch law" that allows alcohol service as early as 11 a.m.

Sunday beer sales hours

Georgia's Sunday alcohol laws can be confusing, as local jurisdictions are allowed to set their own, more restrictive rules. However, there are some statewide rules that apply across Georgia.

In Georgia, you can buy beer for off-premises consumption from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Sundays. This applies to grocery stores, liquor stores, and gas stations. Some counties in Georgia are "dry counties", meaning retail liquor sales are illegal. In these counties, you won't be able to buy beer at all on Sundays. Examples of dry counties in Georgia include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, and Franklin.

On-premises consumption regulations vary by county and even by city. Some cities have enacted a "brunch bill" that allows bars and restaurants to serve alcohol starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays.

In the city of Atlanta, you can purchase beer, wine, and spirits from 11 a.m. on Sunday to midnight. This measure was passed by voters in 2022 and took effect in 2023.

On-premise consumption regulations

On Sundays, on-premise consumption is allowed from 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm in most places. However, some cities have enacted a ""brunch bill"" that allows bars and restaurants to serve alcohol starting at 11 am on Sundays.

From Monday through Saturday, on-premise consumption is allowed from 11 am to 11:45 pm in most jurisdictions. However, some counties may restrict alcohol sales further. For example, in Muscogee County, alcohol sales are not permitted from 12 am to 12 pm on Sundays.

It's important to note that there are also ""dry counties"" in Georgia, such as Coweta, Dodge, Franklin, Decatur, and Murray, where retail sales of liquor are not allowed at all. While consumers can legally drink in these counties, alcohol sales are prohibited.

Additionally, there are special occasions where legislation extends the hours during which alcohol can be sold. For example, bars and restaurants are permitted to sell alcohol until 2:30 am on St. Patrick's Day, New Year's Eve, July 3rd, and 4th, and the Sunday before Memorial and Labor Day. On the other hand, many counties prohibit all alcohol sales on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day.

Dry counties

In the state of Georgia, the sale of alcohol is prohibited in certain "dry counties". These dry counties include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, and Union counties. White County is also considered a dry county, but the city of Helen is exempt from this restriction.

In dry counties, retail liquor sales are illegal. However, the specific restrictions may vary. For example, in Butts and Decatur counties, alcohol sales for on-site consumption in bars and restaurants are prohibited, but there is no restriction on off-site consumption. On the other hand, Upson County prohibits retail alcohol sales but permits alcohol service in bars and restaurants.

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Georgia can be complex and subject to change over time. For instance, in 2011, many communities in Georgia voted to end the ban on Sunday liquor sales, allowing alcohol to be sold during specific hours on Sundays. Additionally, the laws can vary by jurisdiction, with local jurisdictions having the authority to set more restrictive rules.

It is important to stay informed about the specific regulations in each county, as they may have different interpretations of the broader state laws.

Alcohol delivery

To deliver alcohol in Georgia, individuals must undergo special state-approved training, such as the courses provided by TIPS. This training is mandatory for anyone who delivers alcohol or sells it "to go". The state of Georgia takes the sale of alcohol seriously, and there are strict consequences for non-compliance. For example, a $1,000 fine and possible jail time of up to one year may be imposed on any individual who provides alcohol to a consumer under the age of 21.

The timing of alcohol sales in Georgia varies by jurisdiction, with state law setting the earliest and latest sales times. From Monday to Saturday, alcohol sales typically begin at 8 am and end at 11:45 pm for retailers such as gas stations, grocery stores, and liquor stores. On Sundays, alcohol sales are restricted to between 12:30 pm and 11:30 pm for these retailers.

Bars and restaurants have slightly different rules. While some jurisdictions have a ""brunch law"" that allows alcohol service to begin at 11 am on Sundays, they must still hold the last call by 11:30 pm. On other days of the week, bars and restaurants typically cannot start alcohol sales before 9 am and must stop selling liquor by 2 am.

It is important to note that Georgia has several "dry counties" where retail liquor sales are illegal. These include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, and Union counties. White County is also dry, except for the city of Helen. Additionally, Butts and Decatur counties prohibit alcohol sales for on-site consumption but allow sales for off-site consumption.

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