Lucy Palmer
Indiana's alcohol laws have been described as archaic and obsolete and are a legacy of Prohibition. State law permits the sale of alcohol from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Sunday through Saturday. However, hours for carryout alcohol sales from liquor stores, groceries, pharmacies, and convenience stores are restricted to noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Days of the week alcohol can be purchased | Monday to Saturday, Sunday after 12 pm |
| Time alcohol can be purchased | 7 am to 3 am |
| Time alcohol can be purchased on Sundays | 12 pm to 8 pm |
| Types of stores that sell alcohol | Restaurants, bars, liquor stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, gas stations |
| Types of alcohol that can be purchased in grocery stores | Beer, wine, spirits |
| Types of alcohol that can be purchased in gas stations | Alcoholic beverages |
| Types of alcohol that can be purchased for takeaway | Beer, wine, cocktails, spirits |
| Age limit for alcohol consumption | 21 years old or older |
| ID requirement for alcohol purchase | Required for those under the age of 40 |
| Open container law | Allowed in public spaces and in paid vehicles, but not in personal vehicles |
| Happy hour | Allowed as of July 1, 2024 |
What You'll Learn
Beer can be bought from 7 am to 3 am on weekdays
Indiana's alcohol laws have been described as "archaic and obsolete, at times contradictory, and often confusing". They are a legacy of Prohibition, and the laws have been tweaked over time to satisfy different groups.
Indiana's alcohol laws are subject to change. For example, in 2018, a law was passed that allowed alcohol sales on Sundays for the first time. Prior to this, alcohol sales were banned after 8 pm on Sundays.
Indiana's alcohol laws also vary depending on the type of alcohol being sold and where it is being sold. For example, cold beer can be purchased for carryout at liquor stores, but not at grocery stores, convenience stores, or pharmacies.
In addition to the state laws, individual establishments may have their own restrictions on alcohol sales. It is important to check the laws and regulations set by the state, county, and local law enforcement before selling or purchasing alcohol in Indiana.
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On Sundays, beer can be bought from noon to 8 pm
Indiana's alcohol laws have been described as confusing, contradictory, and archaic. They are a legacy of Prohibition and the time after it, when states were allowed to set their own rules.
While the new law allowed alcohol sales in stores from noon to 8 pm on Sundays, it was not a complete victory for supporters of expanded alcohol sales. The limited hours were a compromise with the liquor lobby, which wanted to avoid competing with large retailers like Walmart on Sundays. The eight-hour window also corresponds to a single work shift, reducing labour costs for liquor stores.
Indiana's alcohol laws continue to be a source of frustration for some residents, who find the restrictions on Sunday sales inconvenient and unnecessary. However, others are opposed to further expanding alcohol sales, citing concerns about public health and the potential for alcohol abuse.
Despite the ongoing debates and occasional changes to the laws, the current regulations on alcohol sales in Indiana remain in place. On Sundays, beer and other alcoholic beverages can be purchased from liquor, grocery, and convenience stores between the hours of noon and 8 pm.
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Alcohol can be bought in grocery stores
Indiana's alcohol laws have been described as confusing and contradictory, with a legacy of Prohibition and the end of Prohibition, which allowed states to set their own rules. Indiana legislators have since tweaked the laws to satisfy different groups.
State law permits the sale of alcohol from 7 am to 3 am, Sunday through Saturday. However, the hours for carryout alcohol sales from grocery stores, liquor stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores are restricted to noon to 8 pm on Sundays.
Indiana's Sunday ban on alcohol sales previously lasted for decades, but this was lifted in 2018. The ban was originally due to Prohibition-era blue laws, which were largely supported by religious groups who wanted to preserve Sunday as a day of worship. However, the ban lasted for so long due to economic reasons, with liquor stores wanting to protect their market share from grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box stores.
Indiana has a unique set of alcohol laws compared to other states. For example, only four states do not permit grocery stores to sell alcohol at all, while some states only allow beer and wine to be sold in grocery stores. Indiana is one of only 21 states that allow the sale of hard liquor outside of liquor stores.
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Alcohol can be bought on Christmas Day
Indiana's alcohol laws have been described as "archaic and obsolete, at times contradictory, and often confusing". They are a legacy of Prohibition, and of the end of Prohibition, which allowed states to set their own rules.
So, can you buy alcohol on Christmas Day in Indiana? Yes, you can. The law banning alcohol sales on Christmas Day was changed in 2015 and was first allowed on December 25, 2015. If you can find a restaurant, bar, liquor store or grocery store that's open, they can sell alcohol. However, if Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, the Sunday time period rule applies.
State law permits the sale of alcohol from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Sunday through Saturday. However, hours for carryout alcohol sales from liquor stores, groceries, pharmacies, and convenience stores are noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
Indiana's alcohol laws have changed a few times over the years. Most recently, in 2024, the happy hour ban was lifted. In 2018, a law was passed that allowed alcohol sales on Sundays. Before then, alcohol sales were banned on Sundays, Election Day, and Christmas Day.
Indiana, along with 25 other states, allows alcohol to be sold at grocery stores.
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Alcohol cannot be bought before or after polls are open on Election Day
Indiana's alcohol laws have been described as "archaic and obsolete, at times contradictory, and often confusing". They are a legacy of Prohibition, and of the end of Prohibition, which allowed states to set their own rules.
In general, state law permits the sale of alcohol from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Sunday through Saturday. However, alcohol sales at liquor, grocery, and convenience stores are limited from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
Indiana's alcohol laws can be found in Title 7.1 of the state's legal code.
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Frequently asked questions
You can buy beer in Indiana from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on weekdays.
You can buy beer in Indiana from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
You can buy beer in Indiana on Christmas Day from noon to 8 p.m. if it falls on a Sunday, and from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. if it falls on any other day of the week.
