Tennessee's alcohol laws can be confusing and hard to remember. The state has strict rules about when and where you can buy alcohol, and these laws vary depending on the type of establishment and the day of the week. For example, as of 2023, grocery and liquor stores are permitted to sell beer, wine, and liquor from 8 am to 11 pm, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, they can sell alcohol between 10 am and 11 pm. However, alcohol sales are prohibited on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Additionally, in 14 counties in Tennessee, the sale of wine and spirits is prohibited by default, and special licenses are required to sell alcohol on certain occasions or outside of regular hours.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Days and times beer can be bought in Tennessee | Monday to Saturday: 8 am to 11 pm |
Sunday: 10 am to 11 pm | |
Days beer cannot be bought in Tennessee | Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter |
Age restriction on buying beer in Tennessee | 21 years and above |
Penalty for using a fake ID to buy beer | Fines ranging from $50 to $200 |
What You'll Learn
- Beer, wine, and spirits can be bought from 8 am to 11 pm Monday to Saturday
- Alcohol sales are prohibited on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
- Alcohol sales are allowed on Labor Day, New Year's Day, and the Fourth of July
- Grocery and liquor stores can sell alcohol on Sundays from 10 am to 11 pm
- You must be 21 to buy alcohol in Tennessee
Beer, wine, and spirits can be bought from 8 am to 11 pm Monday to Saturday
Beer, wine, and spirits can be purchased in Tennessee from 8 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday. This applies to grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations.
The state's alcohol sales laws can be confusing and hard to remember, especially as they vary by county and day of the week. For example, in 14 counties, the sale of wines and spirits is prohibited by default, and alcohol cannot be purchased on certain holidays.
In Tennessee, bars must stop serving drinks by 3 am at the latest, and grocery and liquor stores can't sell alcohol past 11 pm every day of the week.
If you're planning to buy alcohol in Tennessee, it's a good idea to check the specific county's laws and be mindful of any upcoming holidays that may impact your purchase.
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Alcohol sales are prohibited on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
In Tennessee, alcohol sales are prohibited on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. This applies to grocery stores, which are banned from selling wine on these holidays, and retail liquor stores, which are closed. However, restaurants, bars, hotels, and other liquor-by-the-drink establishments are permitted to sell alcohol on these holidays.
In Tennessee, the sale of alcohol is regulated by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). The state has strict laws regarding the sale of alcohol, including the prohibition of sales on certain holidays. These laws are in place to promote public health, safety, and welfare.
While alcohol sales are prohibited on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, establishments that sell alcohol are still allowed to operate. However, they must follow the same rules and regulations as any other day, including checking IDs and not serving minors.
It is important to note that the laws regarding alcohol sales may vary by county or city in Tennessee. While alcohol sales are generally prohibited on the specified holidays, there may be some exceptions for certain communities or events. It is always a good idea to check with local authorities or the TABC to understand the specific regulations in your area.
In addition to the holiday prohibitions, there are also regulations on the days and hours of alcohol sales in Tennessee. Alcohol sales are permitted from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. in bars and restaurants and from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. in grocery and liquor stores. These establishments are also required to post a pregnancy warning sign and check the IDs of customers who appear to be under the age of 50.
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Alcohol sales are allowed on Labor Day, New Year's Day, and the Fourth of July
In Tennessee, alcohol sales are allowed on Labor Day, New Year's Day, and the Fourth of July. This legislation was passed in 2018, and it applies to beer, wine, and spirits. It's important to note that the days when alcohol can be sold in the state have changed recently, and alcohol sales are still prohibited on certain holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
The hours for alcohol sales in Tennessee are typically from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. These hours apply to both on-premises consumption, such as bars and restaurants, and off-premises establishments like grocery and liquor stores. However, it's worth noting that beer sales hours may vary from city to city, with some starting sales as early as 6 a.m.
The state's alcohol sales laws are designed to accommodate holiday celebrations, ensuring that residents can purchase their preferred beverages without having to stock up in advance. This convenience is particularly relevant for holidays like the Fourth of July, where alcoholic drinks are often a part of the festivities.
While Tennessee has relaxed its alcohol sales restrictions on certain holidays, it's important to remember that drinking and driving is never a safe option. Organizations like AAA offer programs like "Tow to Go" to help keep impaired drivers off the road during holiday periods, providing free and confidential rides home.
Additionally, while Tennessee has specific regulations regarding alcohol sales, the legal drinking age remains 21 across the state, in line with the rest of the United States. It is illegal for businesses to serve alcohol to minors in bars or restaurants, and parents or legal guardians are permitted to provide alcohol to their minor children only under specific conditions, such as in a private residence and with their presence and supervision.
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Grocery and liquor stores can sell alcohol on Sundays from 10 am to 11 pm
Grocery and liquor stores in Tennessee can sell alcohol on Sundays from 10 am to 11 pm. This applies to beer, wine, and liquor. However, it's important to note that alcohol sales are prohibited on certain holidays, including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.
The change in law allowing Sunday alcohol sales came into effect in 2019, with liquor stores being permitted to open on Sundays immediately, while grocery stores had to wait until January 1st, 2019, to start selling wine seven days a week.
This law brought Tennessee in line with most other states, allowing seven-day sales of liquor and wine. It also provided a boost to the state and local economies, with increased revenues expected from the additional sales.
The law also aligned the hours of wine sales with beer sales, giving consumers more flexibility and convenience when shopping for alcoholic beverages.
It's worth noting that the legal drinking age in Tennessee is 21, and establishments may choose to close earlier than 11 pm at their discretion.
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You must be 21 to buy alcohol in Tennessee
In the state of Tennessee, US, you must be 21 or over to buy alcohol. This is in line with the rest of the country, where the legal drinking age is 21. In Tennessee, there is an exception to this rule: parents or legal guardians are allowed to provide alcohol to their minor children, but only in a private residence and only if the parent or guardian is present.
Tennessee alcohol laws apply to all residents and visiting individuals, but they may vary locally. For example, in 14 counties, the sale of wines and spirits is prohibited by default. These counties must legislate their own laws to allow the sale of certain liquors.
In Tennessee, grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations can sell beer, wine, and spirits from 8 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, they can sell these alcoholic beverages from 10 am to 11 pm. Alcohol sales are prohibited on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.
Bars and restaurants with a license to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption can sell drinks from 8 am, Monday to Saturday, and from 10 am on Sundays. They must close their doors by 3 am at the latest.
To work in an establishment that serves or sells alcohol in Tennessee, you must be at least 18 years old.
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Frequently asked questions
Beer can be purchased from 8 am to 11 pm Monday to Saturday, and from 10 am to 11 pm on Sundays.
Beer can be purchased from grocery stores, package stores, gas stations, bars, restaurants, breweries, and taprooms.
Yes, beer cannot be purchased on Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter. Additionally, there are several "dry counties" in Tennessee that prohibit the sale of alcohol.
No, the legal drinking age in Tennessee is 21, and minors are prohibited from purchasing or consuming alcohol.