Louisiana Beer Laws: When Can You Buy?

Louisiana has some of the most relaxed alcohol laws in the country. Alcohol can be sold from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. every day, although some cities and parishes may have their own rules. Bars and restaurants must close by 2:00 a.m. each day, except for those in New Orleans, which are allowed to operate 24 hours a day. There are no restrictions on Sunday sales, and beer can be purchased seven days a week.

Louisiana's alcohol laws

Louisiana has some of the least restrictive alcohol laws in the country. Alcohol can be sold from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. every day of the week, although some cities and parishes may have their own rules. For example, in Cameron Parish and the metro areas of New Orleans and Lake Charles, bars are open 24 hours. However, those within the city limits of Lake Charles must close on Sundays. In Shreveport, bars stop selling alcohol at 6 a.m. downtown and 4 a.m. elsewhere.

There are no dry states in the U.S., but there may be dry counties or parishes. Louisiana is divided into 64 parishes, most of which are wet or a combination of wet and dry.

There are no blue laws in Louisiana restricting the hours that alcohol can be sold on Sundays. Alcohol sales are permitted 7 days a week.

Bars and restaurants must close by 2:00 a.m. each day, except for those in New Orleans that are allowed to be open 24 hours a day.

There is no statewide limitation on off-premise beer sales, but some parishes may restrict the hours or prohibit it altogether.

The minimum legal drinking age in Louisiana is 21.

Buying beer on a Sunday

Louisiana has some of the most relaxed alcohol laws in the United States. There are no statewide restrictions on the sale of alcohol, and it can be sold 24/7. This means that beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased seven days a week.

However, while there are no statewide restrictions, some local parishes may implement their own rules. Most Louisiana parishes are 'wet' or a combination of 'wet and dry', meaning certain wards within the parishes prohibit alcohol sales. So, while some parishes may allow the sale of alcohol 24/7, others may impose restrictions on the hours in which beer can be sold, or prohibit it altogether.

If you're planning on buying beer on a Sunday in Louisiana, it's important to be aware of the specific regulations in your parish. While the state's lenient laws mean you'll likely be able to find beer for sale, the last thing you want is to be caught out by local rules.

Where to buy beer on a Sunday in Louisiana

Louisiana has very relaxed beer laws, and beer is widely available at all hours of the day. You can purchase beer from:

• Bars and restaurants: Open until 2:00 a.m., or 24 hours a day in New Orleans.
• Gas stations: Beer, wine, and liquor are available 24 hours a day.
• Grocery stores: Beer, wine, and liquor are available 24 hours a day.
• Liquor and package stores: Beer, wine, and liquor are available 24 hours a day.
• Taprooms and breweries: Typically open until 2:00 a.m., or 24 hours a day in New Orleans.

Louisiana's drinking laws

While Louisiana's alcohol laws are very relaxed, it's important to remember that drinking and driving is illegal and dangerous. The penalties for drinking and driving vary depending on age and the number of offenses, but can include fines, substance abuse evaluation and education courses, and jail time.

Louisiana also has an open container law, which means it is illegal to have an open alcoholic beverage in a vehicle, and there are strict laws around providing alcohol to minors.

Closing times of bars

Louisiana has some of the least restrictive alcohol laws in the country. Alcohol can be sold from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. every day of the week, and there are no blue laws restricting Sunday sales. However, there are some exceptions to these rules, and some cities and parishes may have their own regulations.

Bars and restaurants in Louisiana must close by 2:00 a.m. each day, and off-premise locations like gas stations and liquor stores have no restrictions on their operating hours. However, they cannot sell alcohol before 6:00 a.m. or after 2:00 a.m.

There is an exception for bars and restaurants in New Orleans, which are allowed to operate 24 hours a day. Additionally, some bars in Shreveport stop selling alcohol at 6:00 a.m. downtown and 4:00 a.m. elsewhere. In Cameron Parish and the metro areas of New Orleans and Lake Charles, bars are also open 24 hours, but those within the city limits of Lake Charles must close on Sundays.

While Louisiana has lenient alcohol laws, it's important to note that individual parishes or cities may have more restrictive regulations. For example, in some parishes, the sale of alcohol is banned entirely. Therefore, it's always a good idea to check the local laws of the specific area in Louisiana you're interested in.

Places to buy beer

Louisiana has some of the most relaxed beer laws in the US. Beer is widely available at all hours of the day, and there is no statewide law that limits when beer can be sold.

Bars and Restaurants

Bars and restaurants can sell and serve beer within the following conditions:

• Hours: Bars and restaurants must close by 2 am each day, except for those in New Orleans, which are allowed to be open 24 hours a day. In Shreveport, bars stop selling alcohol at 6 am downtown and 4 am elsewhere.
• Types of beer: All types of beer are available, including draft, bottles, and cans.
• Off-premise use: There is no statewide law that prohibits off-premise sales, but many municipalities restrict its hours or ban it altogether.

Gas Stations

Gas stations can sell and serve beer:

• Hours: Beer, wine, and liquor can be sold at gas stations 24 hours a day.
• Types of beer: Only packaged beer is available, including bottles and cans.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores can sell and serve beer:

• Hours: Beer, wine, and liquor can be sold at grocery stores 24 hours a day.
• Types of beer: Only packaged beer is available, including bottles and cans.

Liquor and Package Stores

Liquor and package stores have very relaxed beer laws in Louisiana:

• Hours: Beer, wine, and liquor can be sold at liquor stores 24 hours a day.
• Types of beer: Only packaged beer is available, including bottles and cans.

Breweries and Taprooms

There are no statewide laws prohibiting off-premise sales for breweries or taprooms, but many places restrict the hours they sell beer. Breweries and taprooms can sell and serve beer:

• Hours: Breweries and tap rooms must close by 2 am, except for those in New Orleans, which are allowed to be open 24 hours.
• Types of beer: All types of beer are available, including draft, bottles, and cans.
• Growlers: Growlers must be sealed by the brewery after filling, typically by shrink-wrapping the cap.

Drinking laws

Louisiana has some of the most relaxed drinking laws in the US. Alcohol can be sold from 6 am to 2 am every day, although some parishes may have their own rules and restrictions. There are no dry states in the US, but there are dry counties. Louisiana doesn't have counties, but it does have 64 parishes, most of which are wet or a combination of wet and dry.

Bars and Restaurants

Bars and restaurants must close by 2 am each day, except in New Orleans, where bars are allowed to be open 24 hours a day.

Off-Premises Locations

There is no statewide limitation on off-premise beer sales. However, some parishes may restrict the hours or prohibit the sale of alcohol altogether.

Sunday Sales

There are no blue laws in Louisiana restricting the sale of alcohol on Sundays. Alcohol can be bought seven days a week.

Drinking and Driving

Louisiana has an open container law, which means it is illegal to have an open alcoholic drink in a vehicle. This applies to both drivers and passengers and can result in fines or jail time. The blood alcohol limit in Louisiana is 0.08% or higher, which constitutes driving while intoxicated (DWI). For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%. If you are under 21, any detectable amount of alcohol in your system can result in a DUI charge.

Drinking Age

The legal drinking age in Louisiana is 21. There are some exceptions to this rule, including when the person is with a parent, guardian, or spouse over 21, when the person must handle alcohol as part of their job, when the alcohol is consumed in a private residence, or when the consumption of alcohol is part of a religious celebration.

Frequently asked questions