Buying Beer: Legal Hours And Restrictions

The time at which you can buy beer varies depending on where you are in the world. In the United States, for example, the law differs from state to state. In Texas, beer can be bought at grocery stores or other retailers from 10 am to midnight on Sundays. In New York, alcohol can be sold for on-premises consumption on weekdays from 8 am to 4 am, and from 10 am to 4 am on Sundays. In Mississippi, beer can only be bought between 10 am and 10 pm from Monday to Saturday. In the UK, there is no restriction on the sale of alcohol that is specific to beer, and it can be sold in shops from 6 am to 11 pm (or 10 pm for off-licences), and in bars until 11 pm (or later, if the bar serves 'table meals').

Beer buying hours by state

The United States uses a complex system of federal, state, and local laws to govern the purchase and consumption of beer. While the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, enacted in 1984, prohibits the sale of alcohol to anyone under the age of 21, the specific regulations regarding beer buying hours vary by state.

Alabama

Beer and wine are not controlled by the state, but spirits are. On-premise and off-premise liquor sales are limited to 2 AM on Sundays. Beer and wine can be purchased in supermarkets, but spirits cannot. There is a 6% ABV cap on beer sales, and bottles cannot exceed 16 ounces. Some counties in Alabama are completely dry, meaning no alcohol is sold.

Alaska

There is no state control over alcohol sales in Alaska. On-premise and off-premise sales are allowed from 8 AM to 5 AM any day of the week. Liquor sales are not permitted in grocery stores.

Arizona

Arizona does not have state-controlled alcohol sales. Beer can be purchased from 6 AM to 2 AM every day. On Sundays, sales start at 10 AM. Drive-through liquor stores are legal.

Arkansas

Arkansas does not have state control over alcohol distribution. On-premise sales vary by the type of establishment, with different hours for Class A Private Clubs, Class B, and restaurants. Off-premise sales are allowed from 7 AM to 1 AM Monday to Friday, and until midnight on Saturdays. Beer and wine can be found in supermarkets, but only in-state-produced wine is permitted. Spirits are not available in supermarkets. Sunday and Christmas Day sales are prohibited, except in private clubs.

California

California has lenient laws regarding liquor promotion, and sales are not controlled by the state. Beer can be purchased from 6 AM to 2 AM every day. Wine, beer, and spirits are available in grocery stores. Counties can implement additional restrictions on top of state laws.

Colorado

Colorado does not control alcohol sales. On-premise sales are permitted from 7 AM to 2 AM, while off-premise sales run from 8 AM to midnight. Only beer with an ABV of 3.2% or lower can be sold in grocery stores. Liquor stores are limited to one location, and absinthe is legal.

Connecticut

Connecticut does not control alcohol sales. On-premise sales are allowed from 9 AM to 1 AM Monday to Thursday, and until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Off-premise sales run from 8 AM to 9 PM, Monday to Saturday. No off-premise sales are permitted on Sundays or holidays. Beer is available in grocery stores.

Delaware

Delaware does not control alcohol sales. On-premise sales are allowed from 9 AM to 1 AM daily, and from noon to 8 PM on Sundays, subject to local ordinances. Off-premise sales mirror on-premise hours. No sales are permitted on holidays, and only licensed liquor stores, taprooms, or brewpubs can sell alcohol. Minors under 21 are not allowed in off-premise licensed venues.

Florida

Florida does not have state-controlled alcohol sales, but state law prohibits on-premise and off-premise sales between 1 AM and 7 AM. Counties can override this restriction, and Miami-Dade County, for example, allows 24-hour liquor sales. Beer, wine, and low-alcohol liquors are available in grocery stores. Spirits above 76.5% ABV are illegal.

Georgia

Georgia has unique laws regarding alcohol sales. The hours of sale are determined by the county, and there is no state-wide control. Beer with an ABV above 14% is prohibited. No off-premise sales are allowed on Sundays. In certain areas, public consumption is legal but restricted to one drink, no larger than 16 ounces, and it must be consumed from a can, bottle, or glass.

Hawaii

Hawaii does not control alcohol sales. On-premise sales with the proper cabaret licensing are permitted from 11:50 AM to 6 AM. Off-premise sales run from 11:50 AM to midnight. Spirits, beer, and wine are available in grocery stores.

Idaho

Idaho controls the sale of spirits. On-premise sales are allowed from 10 AM to 1 AM. Beer and wine can be purchased in grocery stores, but beverages exceeding 16% ABV can only be bought at state dispensers or contracted stores.

The laws regarding beer-buying hours vary across different states, with some states having more restrictive laws than others. It is important to refer to the specific regulations in your state to ensure compliance with local laws.

Beer buying hours by day of the week

Beer-buying hours vary across the United States and are influenced by federal, state, and local laws. While some states have a single set of hours for all types of liquor sales, others have more complex regulations based on factors such as premises/business type, alcohol type, and the day of the week. Here is a breakdown of beer-buying hours by day of the week for various states:

Monday to Thursday

• New York County: Beer can be sold for off-premises consumption 24 hours a day.
• Iowa: Beer can be purchased from 6 am to 2 am.
• Kentucky: On-premises sales are allowed from 6 am to 4 am, and off-premises sales from 6 am to 2 pm. However, local laws may override these hours.
• Louisiana: While there are no state-level restrictions, local jurisdictions typically dictate the hours. In Shreveport, for example, bars stop selling alcohol at 6 am downtown and 4 am elsewhere.
• Maryland: Beer-buying hours vary by jurisdiction. Some parts of Baltimore County and Garrett County prohibit Sunday alcohol sales.
• Massachusetts: Beer can be purchased from 8 am to 1 am, with individual cities and towns allowed to restrict sales before 11 am or after 11 pm.
• Minnesota: Beer can be bought from 8 am to 2 am.
• North Dakota: Beer is available from 8 am to 2 am.
• Ohio: Beer can be purchased from 5:30 am to 1 am.
• South Dakota: Beer is sold from 7 am to 2 am.
• Tennessee: Beer is available from 8 am to 3 am.
• Texas: Beer can be bought from 7 am to midnight or 2 am.
• Utah: Beer can be purchased from restaurants from 10 am to 1 am.
• Virginia: Beer is sold from 6 am to 2 am, with an extra hour on New Year's Eve.
• Washington: Beer is available from 6 am to 2 am, unless local governments have imposed restrictions.
• Wisconsin: Beer can be bought from 6 am to 2 am Sunday through Thursday and until 2:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Friday and Saturday

• New York County: Beer can be sold for off-premises consumption 24 hours a day.
• Iowa: Beer can be purchased from 6 am to 2 am.
• Kentucky: On-premises sales are allowed from 6 am to 4 am, and off-premises sales from 6 am to 2 pm. However, local laws may override these hours.
• Louisiana: While there are no state-level restrictions, local jurisdictions typically dictate the hours. In Shreveport, for example, bars stop selling alcohol at 6 am downtown and 4 am elsewhere.
• Maryland: Beer-buying hours vary by jurisdiction.
• Massachusetts: Beer can be purchased from 8 am to 1 am, with individual cities and towns allowed to restrict sales before 11 am or after 11 pm.
• Minnesota: Beer can be bought from 8 am to 2 am.
• North Dakota: Beer is available from 8 am to 2 am.
• Ohio: Beer can be purchased from 5:30 am to 1 am.
• South Dakota: Beer is sold from 7 am to 2 am.
• Tennessee: Beer is available from 8 am to 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Texas: Beer can be bought from 7 am to 1 am on Saturdays and from noon to midnight on Sundays.
• Utah: Beer can be purchased from restaurants from 10 am to 1 am.
• Virginia: Beer is sold from 6 am to 2 am.
• Washington: Beer is available from 6 am to 2 am, unless local governments have imposed restrictions.
• Wisconsin: Beer can be purchased from 6 am to 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays, with no closing time on New Year's Day.

Sunday

• New York County: Beer can be sold for off-premises consumption 24 hours a day.
• Alabama: Beer can be purchased from 6 am to 2 am in grocery and

Beer buying hours by business type

The sale of beer is subject to a complex system of federal, state, and local laws in the United States. While the National Minimum Drinking Age Act prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under 21, the sale of beer is also governed by state and local laws, which vary widely. Here is a breakdown of beer-buying hours by business type:

Restaurants, Bars, and Taverns:

In New York County, alcohol may be sold for on-premises consumption during the following hours: Weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., and normal hours on Christmas Day.

Grocery and Convenience Stores:

In New York County, beer may be sold for off-premises consumption 24 hours a day on weekdays, and normal hours on Christmas Day. In Texas, beer can be purchased at grocery stores or other retailers on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to midnight.

Liquor and Wine Stores:

In New York County, liquor and wine may be sold for off-premises consumption on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and normal hours on Christmas Day. In Texas, liquor stores are closed on Sundays, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and are only open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

State-Specific Variations:

Some states have unique regulations for beer-buying hours. For example, in Mississippi, beer can only be purchased between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays and Christmas Day. On the other hand, Alaska allows alcohol sales from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. any day of the week, while Arizona permits alcohol sales from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. every day of the year.

Alcohol content restrictions

For example, in Mississippi, you can only buy beer between 10 am and 10 pm from Monday to Saturday, with alcohol sales outlawed on Sundays and Christmas Day. In contrast, New York County permits the sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption from 8 am to 4 am on weekdays and Sundays, with no restrictions on Christmas Day.

Some states also have specific restrictions based on alcohol content, typically measured in alcohol by volume (ABV). For instance, Alabama has a 13.9% ABV cap on beer, while California allows the sale of alcohol up to 60% ABV. In some states, alcohol with a higher ABV can only be sold in specific stores, such as drugstores or state-run liquor stores.

In addition to state and local laws, the marketing and advertising of alcoholic beverages in the United States are regulated under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA) by the Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). This includes specific requirements for the information that must be included in advertisements for different types of alcoholic beverages, such as malt beverages, wine, and distilled spirits.

Alcohol licenses and permits

The laws surrounding alcohol licenses and permits in the United States are complex, with federal, state, and local laws governing how we buy and consume beer. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act, enacted in 1984, prohibits the sale of alcohol to persons under 21. This federal law is applicable across all states. However, individual states have the authority to regulate the sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages due to the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

In the United States, liquor licenses and permits are issued by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). These permits are awarded to breweries, distributors, and retailers. The TTB also approves beer labelling and advertising, requiring warning statements such as "This Product Contains Alcohol" and "Drink Responsibly".

State laws vary, and each has its own unique requirements and application processes for liquor licenses. For example, in South Carolina, liquor licenses are divided into three main categories: retail licenses, wholesale licenses, and manufacturing/importing licenses. Additionally, individual permits are issued for the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of beer and wine. The cost of a liquor license in South Carolina can range from $300 to $1000, and the application process can take anywhere from 40 days to six months.

New York County provides an example of the specific regulations governing alcohol sales. Alcohol may be sold for on-premises consumption on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. Beer may be sold for off-premises consumption at grocery and convenience stores 24 hours a day on weekdays. Liquor and wine have slightly different regulations, with sales permitted on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Frequently asked questions