Buying Beer On Saturday: What Time Can You Purchase?

Texas has a long and complex history of regulating alcohol sales, with unique laws that vary across cities and counties. Generally, alcohol sales are permitted from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday, and from 7 a.m. on Saturday until 1 a.m. on Sunday. On Sundays, alcohol sales are allowed from 10 a.m. to midnight. However, there are different rules for bars, restaurants, grocery stores, and liquor stores, and these may be further modified by local jurisdictions.

Beer and wine sales timings in Texas

Texas has a set of laws called "blue laws" that restrict the sale of alcohol on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. These laws were originally designed to protect Sunday as a day of worship by limiting secular and commercial activities. While many of the original blue laws have been repealed, restrictions on alcohol sales remain in place.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) regulates the sale of alcohol in the state, and the specific hours of sale vary depending on the type of alcohol and the day of the week. Here are the timings for beer and wine sales in Texas:

Monday to Friday

Beer and wine can be purchased from grocery and convenience stores from 7 a.m. to midnight.

Saturday

On Saturdays, beer and wine sales in stores start at 7 a.m. and continue until 1 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Sunday

On Sundays, the sale of beer and wine in stores is permitted from 10 a.m. to midnight. This change was made in 2021, allowing for greater flexibility and extending the previous start time of noon.

It is important to note that these timings apply to off-premise consumption, meaning the purchase of beer and wine from stores for consumption elsewhere. For on-premise consumption, such as at bars and restaurants, the hours of sale may differ. On Sundays, bars and restaurants can serve alcohol from 10 a.m. to noon if paired with food. If food is not included in the order, alcohol-only sales can begin at noon.

Additionally, Texas has specific regulations for liquor sales, which are generally more restrictive than those for beer and wine. Liquor stores, also known as package stores, are required to remain closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the closure extends to the following Monday. On the other days of the week, liquor stores can operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In summary, the sale of beer and wine in Texas is permitted from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to midnight on Sunday. Liquor sales are prohibited on specific days and are restricted to the hours of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the days that they are allowed.

Liquor store timings in Texas

Texas has strict laws concerning alcohol sales and service. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) regulates the sale of alcohol in the state. The hours of operation for liquor stores in Texas vary depending on the day of the week and the type of license the store holds.

Monday to Saturday

Liquor stores in Texas are typically open from 10 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday. These hours apply to liquor stores, also known as package stores. However, it's important to note that liquor stores are not allowed to sell alcohol before 10 am or after 9 pm on these days. Additionally, liquor stores in Texas are required to be closed on Sundays, as well as on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the store must remain closed on the following Monday.

Grocery and Convenience Stores

The hours for purchasing alcohol from grocery and convenience stores in Texas differ from those of liquor stores. These stores can sell beer and wine from 7 am to midnight, Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, sales begin at 7 am and are allowed to continue until 1 am on Sunday mornings. Since 2021, the laws regarding Sunday purchases have changed, allowing sales to begin at 10 am instead of noon.

Wineries

Wineries in Texas have slightly different hours and are permitted to serve alcohol from 8 am to midnight, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, wineries can serve alcohol from 10 am to midnight.

On-Premises Consumption

The hours for on-premises consumption, such as at bars or restaurants, differ from the hours for off-premises consumption. On-premises consumption is allowed from 7 am to midnight, Monday through Friday, and from 7 am to 1 am on Saturday. On Sundays, on-premises consumption is permitted from noon to midnight, or from 10 am to noon if the alcoholic beverage is served with food.

Exceptions

It's important to note that certain bars or restaurants in Texas may have a late hours permit, allowing them to serve alcohol until 2 am any night of the week. Additionally, hotel bars can serve hotel guests at any time of day.

Alcohol sales timings in bars and restaurants

Alcohol sales timings for bars and restaurants vary across the United States. In the United States, a complex system of federal, state, and local laws governs how alcohol is bought and consumed. While federal alcohol restrictions apply to all states, local laws govern smaller jurisdictions.

In Texas, for example, liquor stores are closed on Sundays, and beer and wine can only be purchased from 10 am to midnight. Bars and restaurants follow a similar schedule, but with some exceptions. On Sundays, they can serve alcohol from 10 am to noon if paired with food. If food is not included in the order, alcohol-only sales begin at noon.

In California, alcohol sales are legal from 6 am to 2 am the following day, and it can be purchased anywhere that sells alcohol, including grocery stores, gas stations, and liquor stores.

Some states, like Indiana, allow alcohol sales from 7 am to 3 am Monday through Saturday and from 12 noon to 8 pm on Sunday. In Iowa, alcohol sales run from 6 am to 2 am every day except Sunday, when sales are permitted from 8 am to 2 pm.

It's important to note that alcohol laws vary widely across the United States, and local jurisdictions can often pass their own laws. Therefore, it's essential to refer to the specific laws in your state or local liquor authority website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Alcohol sales timings in grocery stores

In Alabama, grocery stores are allowed to sell alcohol from 6 am to 2 am every day, except on Sundays in some counties. In Arizona, grocery stores can sell alcohol from 6 am to 2 am every day of the year. Arkansas generally prohibits alcohol sales, but some jurisdictions may allow it. California permits alcohol sales in grocery stores from 6 am to 2 am daily, while Colorado restricts alcohol sales to liquor stores and licensed drug stores only.

Connecticut has lifted its state-wide prohibition on Sunday sales, but local ordinances may still restrict them. Delaware allows alcohol sales in grocery stores, except on specific holidays. The District of Columbia permits sales until 4 am on New Year's Eve and 3 am before federal and district holidays. Florida prohibits alcohol sales between 1 am and 7 am, but counties can override this restriction, as in Miami-Dade County, where liquor stores are open 24/7.

Georgia disallows Sunday off-premises sales from 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm, unless the local jurisdiction opts into Sunday afternoon sales. Hawaii allows alcohol sales until 2 am, or 4 am with a cabaret license. Idaho permits the sale of liquor from 10 am to 1 am and beer and wine from 6 am, with counties and cities allowed to extend service until 2 am. Idaho prohibits alcohol sales on Sundays and specific holidays, with no exceptions for Christmas Day.

Illinois allows off-premises alcohol sales from 7 am to 3 am daily, while on-premises sales are permitted until 2 am from Monday to Friday and sometimes later on Saturdays. Indiana and Iowa have specific hours for alcohol sales on Sundays and weekdays. Kansas prohibits alcohol sales on specific holidays. Kentucky has state liquor laws, but with numerous exceptions, so checking local jurisdiction is advised.

Louisiana sets alcohol sales hours by local jurisdictions, with some areas having 24-hour bars. Maine permits alcohol sales from 5 am to 1 am daily. Maryland's liquor laws vary by local jurisdiction, with some parts prohibiting Sunday sales. Massachusetts allows alcohol sales year-round, with an extra half-hour before a holiday, and individual cities and towns can restrict on-premises sales before 11 am or after 11 pm.

Michigan has special licenses for establishments to sell alcohol starting at 7 am on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. Minnesota allows alcohol sales, but local jurisdictions may impose further restrictions. Mississippi generally allows alcohol sales from 10 am to 10 pm, Monday to Saturday, with Sunday sales restricted to beer and low-ABV wine. Missouri permits on- and off-premises alcohol sales from 6 am to 1:30 am daily, and some bars and nightclubs can serve until 3 am with a special license.

Montana allows alcohol sales until 2 am, restricted by some local ordinances for low-ABV beer and wine only. Nebraska allows alcohol sales from 6 am, with Sunday sales varying by jurisdiction. Nevada, except for the dry township of Penaca, permits alcohol sales at any time, any day. New Hampshire restricts grocery stores to selling beer and wine only.

New Jersey sets liquor laws by municipality, with on-premises and off-premises sales hours varying. New Mexico generally prohibits Sunday sales but allows some jurisdictions to sell special permits. New York has many counties that restrict hours, and some restrict overnight or Sunday morning sales of beer. North Carolina and North Dakota have specific days with restricted alcohol sales hours.

Ohio permits alcohol sales every day from 5:30 am to 1 am, unless further restricted by the county. Oklahoma restricts grocery stores to selling beer and wine only. Oregon allows alcohol sales from 7 am to 2:30 am daily. Pennsylvania restricts grocery stores to selling beer and wine, with liquor sales limited to state liquor stores.

Rhode Island permits alcohol sales from 9 am to 1 am daily, except in Providence, where sales are allowed until 2 am on Fridays, Saturdays, and before state-recognized holidays. South Carolina and South Dakota have specific hours for alcohol sales, with South Carolina determined by local jurisdiction. Tennessee prohibits alcohol sales on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and Easter, restricting grocery stores to selling beer and wine only.

Texas has complex liquor laws, with alcohol sales in grocery stores varying by day and county. Utah has specific laws for different types of alcohol, with frequent changes. Vermont and Virginia allow alcohol sales at any time, any day, with Virginia offering an extra hour on New Year's Eve. Washington State permits alcohol sales from 6 am to 2 am, unless further restricted by local government.

West Virginia recently changed its alcohol selling hours, now allowing taverns and other businesses to sell beer and wine, with grocery stores restricted to these beverages as well. Wisconsin allows alcohol sales until midnight in many jurisdictions. Wyoming permits alcohol sales between 6 am and 2 am.

Alcohol sales timings in sports venues

In Texas, for example, the hours during which alcohol can be sold in sports venues depend on the type of license or permit held by the establishment. On-premises license holders, such as bars and restaurants, are allowed to sell alcohol from 7 am to midnight from Monday to Friday, 7 am to 1 am on Saturday, and noon to midnight on Sunday. Off-premises license holders, such as convenience stores and grocery stores, have similar timings but are permitted to sell alcohol until 1 am on Saturday instead of observing the midnight cutoff. Liquor stores in Texas are typically open from 10 am to 9 pm from Monday to Saturday and are closed on Sundays.

In addition to these standard hours, licensed or permitted premises located in sports venues in Texas may sell alcoholic beverages between 10 am and noon on Sundays. This extended timeframe is also applicable to festivals, fairs, or concerts held in licensed premises.

Other states have their own unique regulations regarding alcohol sales timings in sports venues. For instance, in Mississippi, alcohol can only be purchased from 10 am to 10 pm from Monday to Saturday, with alcohol sales prohibited on Sundays and Christmas Day. On the other hand, states like Nevada allow alcohol sales at any time of the day, every day of the year, except in specific dry counties or townships.

To ensure compliance with local laws and promote responsible drinking, it is essential for consumers and businesses to be aware of the specific alcohol regulations in their respective states and venues.

Frequently asked questions