Buying Beer In Mississippi: Understanding The Legal Hours

Mississippi has some of the most complicated alcohol laws in the US. While it is not a dry state, many of its counties are. The state also has a government alcohol monopoly on the sale of spirits with an ABV of over 14% and distilled spirits.

In Mississippi, beer and light wine can be purchased from grocery and convenience stores 24/7. However, wine and spirits are only sold in liquor stores, which are open from 10 am to 10 pm, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, liquor stores are closed.

In March 2024, the Mississippi House passed a bill to allow liquor stores to operate on Sundays from 1 pm to 6 pm. However, counties and municipalities can opt out of Sunday sales if 20% of voters or 1,500 voters (whichever is less) sign a petition.

Beer can be bought at grocery and convenience stores 24/7

Beer and light wine can be purchased at grocery and convenience stores in Mississippi 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is because beer is not considered an "alcoholic beverage" in Mississippi's local option laws and is therefore regulated differently from distilled spirits and wine.

However, it is important to note that these sales may be restricted by local ordinance. For example, beer sales on Sundays may be restricted in certain areas. Additionally, Mississippi has several dry counties where it is illegal to purchase or transport alcohol.

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Mississippi are subject to change and vary across the state, so it is always a good idea to check the regulations in your specific county or area.

Liquor stores are closed on Sundays and Christmas Day

In Mississippi, liquor stores are closed on Sundays and Christmas Day. This means that if you want to buy wine or spirits with an ABV of over 5%, you will have to do so between 10 am and 10 pm, Monday to Saturday.

This law is not set in stone, however, and there have been recent attempts to change it. In February 2023, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed a bill that would allow liquor stores to be open on Sundays. House Bill 384 would give wet counties the choice to authorize liquor stores to be open between 1 pm and 6 pm on Sundays. As of November 2024, this bill was still awaiting discussion in the Senate Finance Committee.

Mississippi's alcohol laws are some of the most complicated in the country. The state has a three-tier system for alcohol sales, with wholesalers or importers acting as the "middle tier". Mississippi is also a control state, meaning that the state is the only wholesaler of wine and liquor.

The state has a complicated relationship with alcohol. While it is not a dry state, many of its counties are. Of Mississippi's 82 counties, 23 are fully dry, and there are more that are partially dry. This means that in some parts of the state, you cannot buy liquor or full-strength wine on Sundays, or any other day of the week.

Minors can drink beer with parental consent

In Mississippi, the legal drinking age for beer and/or alcohol is 21 years of age. However, the state does allow for an exception in the case of minors consuming alcohol with parental consent. Minors who are 18-21 years of age may consume beer with the consent and in the presence of their parent or legal guardian. This exception is only for beer and does not include hard liquor or wine products that contain more than 5% alcohol by weight.

This exception for minors between 18 and 20 years of age is also noted in Mississippi's Parent/Guardian exception, which applies to the possession and consumption of light wine or beer by those who are at least 18 years old. Additionally, Mississippi law specifies that those who are at least 18 years of age and serving in the U.S. military may possess and consume beer on military property where it is allowed.

While minors with parental consent are allowed to consume beer in Mississippi, it is important to note that they are still prohibited from purchasing alcohol. The law states that only individuals who are 21 years of age or older can legally purchase alcoholic beverages. Additionally, minors are not allowed to work in positions where they handle alcoholic beverages, except in certain circumstances, such as waiting tables or delivering orders in restaurants with an alcohol license.

Mississippi has complex alcohol laws that vary across the state, with different rules for on-premise and off-premise consumption, as well as distinctions between beer, light wine, and alcoholic beverages containing more than 5% alcohol by weight. These laws also differ by county, with some counties being completely dry or partially dry for different types of alcohol.

Bars in Mississippi generally close at 2am

While Mississippi's alcohol laws are complex and vary across the state, bars in Mississippi generally close at 2 a.m. However, there is no universal closing time for bars, and in some areas, they may close as early as midnight, while in other areas, they may stay open much later.

The sale of alcohol in Mississippi is controlled by the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). ABC on-premises permittees may sell alcoholic beverages at the permitted location from 10:00 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Saturday. On New Year's Eve, they may remain open until 1:00 a.m. on New Year's Day. Additionally, on-premises alcohol sales are allowed from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

The hours for selling alcoholic beverages can be extended or restricted by the local government, and these hours vary across the state. For example, in some areas, alcohol sales are allowed 24/7, while in others, there are more restricted hours.

The closing time for bars in Mississippi may be influenced by the hours during which alcohol can be sold. As such, the 2 a.m. closing time is not a universal rule, and it may vary depending on the specific location and local regulations.

Alcohol delivery is legal

To obtain an alcohol delivery service permit (ADP), applicants must be either a retail permittee, such as a liquor store, grocery store, bar, brewery, or brewpub, or a delivery company that contracts with one of these retail permittees. Applications must be submitted to the Alcoholic Beverage Control division of the Mississippi Department of Revenue, along with a $500 privilege license tax. Delivery companies must also submit a sample contract that they intend to enter into with a retail permittee, and all applicants must include an outline of personnel training that addresses topics such as spotting fake IDs and dealing with intoxicated persons.

It is worth noting that Mississippi has some of the most convoluted alcohol laws in the country. While it is not a dry state, many of its counties are. Of the 82 counties, 23 are fully dry, including Chickasaw 1st District. There are also several counties that are partially dry, meaning they may be dry for just beer/light wine or alcoholic beverages. Additionally, Mississippi has unique laws regarding drinking and driving. There is no open container law in the state, so it is not illegal to drink an alcoholic beverage while driving. However, driving while drunk is still illegal, and the legal limit for drivers 21 years and older is a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08%.

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