Clearwater, Florida: Beer Buying Time Rules Explained

If you're planning a trip to Clearwater, Florida, and want to buy beer, it's important to know the local alcohol laws and the best places to go. Clearwater has a variety of breweries, bars, and restaurants that serve beer, but the hours of sale vary. Generally, in Clearwater, packaged alcoholic beverages can be sold from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays and 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Saturday. Bars and restaurants can serve alcohol from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Sundays and 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. on weekdays. However, some counties in Florida allow alcohol sales 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so it's always good to check local regulations. Popular breweries in Clearwater include Clearwater Brewing Company, Big Storm Brewing Company, and 3 Daughters Brewing, which is located in downtown Clearwater Beach.

Beer sales timings in Clearwater, Florida

Beer enthusiasts visiting Clearwater, Florida, will be glad to know that the city offers a variety of options for purchasing and enjoying their favourite beverage. The timing of beer sales, however, is something that visitors and residents need to be mindful of.

In Clearwater, the sale of packaged alcoholic beverages, including beer, is permitted during specific hours. On Sundays, beer can be purchased from 11:00 a.m. to midnight. For the rest of the week, from Monday to Saturday, beer sales are allowed from 8:00 a.m. to midnight. These timings apply to liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets.

If you're looking to enjoy a beer at a bar or restaurant, the hours are slightly different. On Sundays, alcoholic beverages are served from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., and from Monday to Saturday, the hours are extended by an hour, with service starting at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 a.m.

It's worth noting that these timings are specific to Clearwater, a city in Pinellas County, Florida. Other counties in Florida may have different regulations, with some allowing 24-hour sales, while others might have earlier closing times.

For those seeking a brewery experience, Clearwater has several options to choose from. The Clearwater Brewing Company, housed in an old gas station, offers a laid-back atmosphere, a variety of craft beers, and a local food truck serving Caribbean cuisine. Big Storm Brewing Company and Distillery, and Southern Lights Brewing Company are also popular choices for beer lovers.

Additionally, visitors can explore options like 3 Daughters Brewing, located above Hooters in downtown Clearwater Beach, and Grindhaus Brew Lab, which combines a brewery, taproom, and home brewers' market all in one.

Liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets

In Clearwater, Florida, the sale of alcohol is permitted between 7 a.m. and 3 a.m. However, this may vary depending on the county and municipality. For instance, in Clearwater, Pinellas County, packaged alcoholic beverages can be sold from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays, and 8 a.m. to midnight from Monday to Saturday.

If you're looking for a place to buy beer in Clearwater, Florida, you have several options, including liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets.

Liquor Stores

Liquor stores in Clearwater, such as Total Wine & More, typically sell beer, wine, and spirits. Their opening hours are generally from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., depending on the day of the week.

Gas Stations

Gas stations in Clearwater often sell beer and wine, and sometimes liquor. For instance, there is a gas station/convenience store located near the Holiday Inn & Suites that offers beer and some wine.

Supermarkets

Supermarkets in Florida are permitted to sell beer, wine, and liqueurs. Walgreens, for example, is a 24-hour store that sells beer and wine, but their alcohol sales stop at midnight.

Additionally, there are several breweries in Clearwater, such as the Clearwater Brewing Company, Big Storm Brewing Company, and Southern Lights Brewing Company, where you can purchase craft beer directly from the source. These breweries often have taprooms and offer a unique selection of beers, providing a great atmosphere to hang out with friends.

Bars and restaurants

In Clearwater, Florida, bars and restaurants are permitted to serve alcohol between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Sundays, and 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. from Monday to Saturday.

If you're looking for a place to enjoy a beer, there are several breweries in Clearwater that offer a wide variety of craft beers, often with indoor and outdoor seating, live music, and food trucks. Some popular options include the Clearwater Brewing Company, Big Storm Brewing Company and Distillery, and Southern Lights Brewing Company. These breweries also tend to have friendly staff, a laid-back atmosphere, and unique backstories—for example, the Clearwater Brewing Company is housed in what used to be an old gas station.

If you're looking for a bar or restaurant, there are several options in Clearwater Beach, including 3 Daughters Brewing, located on the third floor above Hooters, and the Iguana Bar inside the Holiday Inn, which is open until 2:00 a.m.

Breweries in Clearwater

In Florida, alcohol sales are typically restricted between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. However, certain counties and municipalities have extended or restricted these default hours. For instance, in some counties, alcohol sales are allowed from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m., and a few specific counties, like Miami-Dade, permit 24/7 sales in certain areas.

Now, let's focus on the breweries in Clearwater, Florida. The city is known for its beautiful beaches and unique craft breweries. Here are some of the top breweries you can visit:

• 3 Daughters Brewing: Located in downtown Clearwater Beach, this restaurant and bar offers a wide range of craft beers, hard seltzers, and ciders. It has a large outdoor space with stunning views of Clearwater Beach and the Intercoastal. 3 Daughters Brewing also features live music, events, and a kid-friendly and dog-friendly environment.
• Big Storm Brewing Company: With four taprooms across Florida, including one in Clearwater, Big Storm Brewing offers a variety of beer styles and is known for its Florida-centric brews. The Clearwater location has a large outdoor patio, a full kitchen, and a kid-friendly and dog-friendly atmosphere.
• Grindhaus Brew Lab: This boutique brewery has a movie/lab-themed taproom, serving hand-crafted beers in 1-barrel batches or less. Each batch is unique and served in signature 10-ounce beakers. Grindhaus showcases classic movies in its "Brew House Theater" on weekends and has snacks available, with several nearby restaurants for larger meals.
• Clearwater Brewing Company: A microbrewery located in the Old Clearwater Bay area, founded by four friends in 2017. It has a 14-tap tasting room, a production facility, and plenty of outdoor seating. The brewery also has its own food truck serving tacos and pub-style food. It is kid-friendly and dog-friendly.
• Southern Lights Brewing Company: A microbrewery specialising in small-batch ales and lagers, as well as a variety of other styles. It has a large, dog-friendly outdoor seating area. While they don't serve food, you can bring in outside food or get delivery from nearby restaurants.
• Sea Dog Brewing Company: This brewery is located upstairs and offers a small elevator for accessibility. It has a large bar and dining area, with plenty of space for guests.
• Bonsai Beverage Co.: This small business is located three stories above the busy downtown Clearwater Beach, offering excellent views of the city, beach, and sunsets. In addition to craft beers, they also serve craft sodas, such as the orange creamsicle soda.

Buying alcohol in Florida on Sundays

In Clearwater, Florida, the sale of alcohol is governed by the county's regulations, which allow for the sale of alcoholic beverages from 8 am to 3 am every day. This includes Sundays, when previously, some parts of the county had restricted alcohol sales until noon to respect the Christian Sabbath.

In practice, this means that visitors to Clearwater can purchase beer, wine, and spirits from retailers such as Walgreens, gas stations, and liquor stores like Total Wine & More, which is open from 9 am to 10 pm on Sundays. However, it's worth noting that individual cities within the county can opt to maintain the previous 11 am start time for Sunday sales if they choose to.

While Florida's default alcohol sales hours are from 7 am to midnight each day, the state gives counties and municipalities the power to set their own hours. This means that the specific times for buying alcohol can vary from one county to another. For instance, Miami-Dade County permits 24-hour sales, seven days a week.

Additionally, it's important to be mindful of other alcohol-related laws in Florida. For example, drinking on public property, including streets, sidewalks, and beaches, is prohibited, as is the case on private property without the owner's permission.

Frequently asked questions