Buying Beer In Kansas: Understanding The State's Alcohol Laws

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, with a long history of prohibition. The state prohibited the sale of alcohol from 1881 to 1948, and continued to ban on-premises liquor sales until 1987. Today, Kansas has a three-tier liquor distribution system, and alcohol sales are prohibited on certain holidays and after 11 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and 8 pm on Sundays. So, what time can you buy beer in Kansas?

Beer can be bought in Kansas from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 11 pm

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, and the state had a long period of prohibition from 1881 to 1948. Even after prohibition ended, Kansas continued to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987.

Today, beer can be purchased in Kansas from Monday to Saturday, within specific hours: 9 am to 11 pm. These hours apply to off-premise beer sales, where beer is bought and consumed off-site. On-premise sales, where beer is bought and consumed on-site, have different hours: 9 am to 2 am any day.

The days and hours that beer can be purchased vary depending on the day of the week and the type of sales. Off-premise sales are not allowed on Sundays before 9 am or after 8 pm. Additionally, no alcohol sales are permitted on Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas Day.

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Kansas can vary by county and city. For example, some counties and cities in Kansas have amended their laws to allow liquor sales on Sundays from 9 am to 8 pm. It is important to check the local laws and regulations in your specific area within Kansas to ensure compliance with the relevant alcohol sales restrictions.

Kansas has a three-tier liquor distribution system, where alcohol is distributed from the manufacturer to the distributor to the retailer. Retail liquor stores are licensed by the state, while Cereal Malt Beverage (CMB) retailers are licensed by the city or county. CMB refers to beer with an alcohol content of 3.2% or less by weight.

The state's strict approach to alcohol regulation is a result of its long history of prohibition. Kansas was the first state to enact a constitutional prohibition on alcohol, and it has yet to ratify the Twenty-first Amendment, which ended nationwide prohibition in 1933.

On Sundays, beer can be bought from 9 am to 8 pm

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. The state had a long period of prohibition from 1881 to 1948, and continued to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987. Even today, Kansas has one dry county where on-premises liquor sales are prohibited.

In May 2021, Governor Laura Kelly signed a bill allowing the sale of beer and alcohol to begin at 9 a.m. on Sundays. Prior to this, Kansas law prohibited Sunday sales until noon—a vestige of the state's alcohol regulations dating back to the 1880s, when Kansas became the first state to write prohibition into its constitution.

On Sundays, beer can be bought from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Kansas. This applies to off-premise locations, such as liquor stores, grocery stores, and gas stations. On-premise locations, where you consume beer on-site, such as bars and restaurants, can sell beer from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. any day of the week.

It's important to note that the laws regarding alcohol sales in Kansas can vary by city and county. While Sunday sales are now allowed statewide, retailers are not permitted to sell alcohol on certain holidays, including Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Additionally, some counties in Kansas are completely dry, meaning that no alcohol can be purchased there.

Beer sales are prohibited on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. The state had a long period of prohibition, lasting from 1881 to 1948, and continued to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987. Even today, Kansas has one dry county, where on-premises liquor sales are prohibited, although the sale of 3.2% beer is permitted.

Kansas law divides alcohol into six categories, each with different regulations. "Alcoholic liquor" includes spirits, wine, and beer containing over 3.2% alcohol by weight. A "cereal malt beverage" (CMB) is beer containing less than 3.2% alcohol by weight. A "nonalcoholic malt beverage" is beer with less than 0.5% alcohol by weight. "Domestic table wine" is wine containing 14% or less alcohol by volume, manufactured by Kansas farm wineries from Kansas-grown products. "Domestic fortified wine" is wine containing between 14% and 20% alcohol by volume, also made in Kansas. "Domestic beer" is beer containing 8% or less alcohol by weight, manufactured by microbreweries from Kansas-grown agricultural products.

Off-premises liquor sales are only allowed in licensed liquor stores, and sales are prohibited between 11:00 PM and 9:00 AM. On-premise beer sales can be made from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. any day.

Beer can be bought at bars and restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, liquor stores, and breweries or taprooms

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, and the state had a long history of prohibition. However, beer can be bought at various locations, including bars and restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, liquor stores, and breweries or taprooms.

Bars and Restaurants

Bars and restaurants in Kansas can sell beer, as long as they have the correct license and derive 30% of their gross sales from food. They can sell beer on any day between 9 am and 2 am.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores in Kansas can sell beer, but it must be 6% alcohol by volume or less. They can also sell beer on Sundays.

Gas Stations

Gas stations in Kansas can sell beer, but only if it is below 6% ABV.

Liquor Stores

Liquor stores in Kansas can sell beer, but only with a cereal malt beverage license provided by the city or county in which the store resides. They can sell beer Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 11 pm and on Sundays from 9 am to 8 pm.

Breweries and Taprooms

Breweries and taprooms can sell beer in the same way as bars and restaurants, as long as they derive 30% of their gross sales from food. They can sell beer of any ABV and offer cans, bottles, and drafts for off-premise consumption.

Gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores can only sell beer with 6% ABV or below

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. The state had a long period of prohibition, lasting from 1881 to 1948, and continued to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987.

In recent years, Kansas has loosened its alcohol laws. For example, in 2003, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that the ban on Sunday liquor sales was unconstitutional, and in 2005, the state legislature amended the Liquor Control Act to allow Sunday liquor sales.

On April 1, 2019, Senate Bill 13 went into effect, allowing gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores to sell beer with 6% ABV or less. This was a significant change, as previously, these retailers could only sell beer with 3.2% ABV or less. This change gave consumers more options for purchasing beer, as it allowed for the sale of full-strength versions of popular beer brands and some craft beers.

While the law change benefited consumers, it caused concern for liquor stores, which feared losing business to the newly permitted retailers. In response, some liquor stores planned to cut prices or offer new products, such as cigars. The new law also allowed liquor stores to sell non-alcoholic products, as long as they didn't exceed 20% of their total sales.

The minimum age to buy alcohol in Kansas remains 21, and there are strict laws against driving under the influence of alcohol. Kansas's maximum blood alcohol level for driving is .08% for persons over 21 and .02% for adults under 21 and minors.

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