Buying Beer In Mississippi: Sunday Shopping Laws

Mississippi has some of the most convoluted alcohol laws in the United States. While it is not a dry state, it does let counties vote to become dry. In 2023, 23 out of 82 counties were fully dry, and several others were partially dry. In most places, you can buy beer on Sundays, but some counties do not allow liquor or full-strength wine to be sold on Sundays.

State law previously prohibited liquor sales on Sundays, but a bill passed in early 2024 will allow package stores to operate on Sundays from 1 pm to 6 pm.

Liquor stores are closed on Sundays

In Mississippi, liquor stores are not allowed to operate on Sundays. This means that if you're looking to buy wine or distilled spirits with an ABV of over 5%, you'll need to plan ahead and make your purchases on a different day. The current law restricts package stores, which are off-premises sales locations, to operating only from Monday through Saturday, with no Sunday sales permitted.

This restriction on Sunday liquor sales is a long-standing policy in Mississippi, which has historically had tight control over its liquor laws. While there have been recent efforts to update these regulations, with a bill introduced in 2023 to allow Sunday liquor sales, it is not yet clear if and when this change will take effect.

The existing law creates an inconvenience for those who wish to purchase liquor on Sundays, as they are unable to do so through regular retailers. This restriction also has an impact on the state's revenue, as some Mississippians may choose to travel to neighbouring states to purchase alcohol during the weekend.

It's important to note that while liquor stores are closed on Sundays, there are still some options for purchasing alcoholic beverages. Beer and light wine, which are considered to have an ABV of 5% or lower, can be bought at grocery and convenience stores that are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, on-premise alcohol sales, such as at restaurants and bars, are typically allowed from 7 a.m. to midnight, although this may vary by county.

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Mississippi can be quite complex and are subject to change by local governments. While liquor stores remain closed on Sundays as per the current legislation, it's always a good idea to stay informed about any potential updates or changes that may impact your purchasing options.

Beer and light wine are sold at grocery/convenience stores 24/7

In Mississippi, beer and light wine are sold at grocery and convenience stores 24/7. This is permitted for off-premise consumption. On-premise sales of beer are allowed from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

Although Mississippi is not a dry state, it has some of the most convoluted alcohol laws in the country. Many of its counties are dry, and the state has a government alcohol monopoly on the sale of beverages with an ABV of over 14% and distilled spirits.

The state's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) controls all alcohol in Mississippi, including manufacturing, supplying, buying, and selling. Beer and light wine are sold at grocery and convenience stores, but wine and distilled spirits can only be purchased at liquor stores.

The hours for selling alcoholic beverages vary across the state and are subject to change by local governments. For instance, liquor stores are typically open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and are closed on Sundays and Christmas Day. However, a bill passed in March 2024 allows package stores to operate on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The minimum drinking age in Mississippi is 21, but minors between 18 and 20 can drink beer with parental permission.

On-premise alcohol sales are allowed from 7am to midnight

On-premise alcohol sales refer to the sale of alcoholic beverages that are intended to be consumed at the location where they are purchased, such as at a bar or restaurant. This is in contrast to off-premise alcohol sales, which refer to the sale of alcoholic beverages that are intended to be consumed elsewhere.

In Mississippi, the hours for on-premise alcohol sales are more restricted than those for off-premise sales. For example, beer and light wine can be sold for off-premise consumption 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, on-premise sales of these beverages are limited to the hours of 7am to midnight.

The distinction between on-premise and off-premise sales is important for understanding the alcohol sales laws in Mississippi. While you can purchase beer and light wine at any time for off-premise consumption, the hours for on-premise sales are more limited and may vary by county.

It is worth noting that Mississippi has some of the most complex alcohol laws in the United States. The state allows its counties to vote on whether they are "wet" or "dry," which affects the availability of alcohol. Additionally, the hours for alcohol sales may vary across different counties, making it important to check the local regulations in your specific area.

Mississippi has tight control on liquor laws

Mississippi has some of the most convoluted alcohol laws in the US. The state has tight control over liquor laws, and this doesn't seem likely to change any time soon. All alcohol in Mississippi is controlled, sold, and distributed by the state. The Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) oversees the manufacturing, supplying, buying, and selling of alcohol.

The state has a government alcohol monopoly on the selling of booze with an ABV of over 14% and distilled spirits. Mississippi is what is known as a 'control state', where the state is the only wholesaler of wine and liquor. In this way, Mississippi differs from other control states, as its liquor stores can only sell full-strength wine and spirits, whereas beer and weak wine are only available at other retailers.

The hours for selling alcohol vary across the state and are subject to change by the local government. For example, package stores may open for business from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, but are not allowed to open on Sundays or Christmas Day. On-premises permittees may sell alcoholic beverages at the permitted location between 10:00 a.m. and midnight, Monday through Saturday. On New Year's Eve, these premises may remain open until 1:00 a.m. on New Year's Day. If New Year's Eve falls on a Sunday, then on-premises permittees may open from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

However, beer may be sold for off-premises consumption 24/7, although this can be restricted by local ordinance. Beer sales on Sundays may also be restricted by local ordinance. The hours for on-premises sales of beer are 7:00 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, although local governments may further restrict these hours.

In March 2024, the House passed a bill to allow liquor sales on Sundays. The bill would allow package stores to operate on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and would automatically grant package stores in wet areas the option to sell on Sunday afternoons. However, counties and municipalities can opt out of Sunday sales if 20% of voters or 1,500 voters (whichever is less) sign a petition to conduct an election.

Alcohol sales are restricted in dry counties

Mississippi has a government-controlled alcohol monopoly, with the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) regulating the manufacturing, supplying, buying, and selling of alcohol. The state has several dry counties, where it is illegal to bring in or transport alcohol.

In the United States, a dry county is one where the local government forbids the sale of any alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sales, some prohibit on-premises sales, and some prohibit both. While the majority of counties now permit alcohol sales to some extent, dry counties remain, primarily in the Southern states.

In Mississippi, there are differing rules for on- and off-premises alcohol sales. On-premises alcohol sales are allowed from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Off-premises sales of beer are permitted 24/7, but local ordinances may impose restrictions. For example, beer sales on Sundays may be restricted. Off-premises sales of wine and spirits are only permitted from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and only at licensed liquor stores. Grocery and convenience stores are not permitted to sell wine or spirits.

In March 2024, the Mississippi House passed a bill to allow liquor sales on Sundays, which is now under consideration by the Senate. If passed, the bill would allow package stores to operate on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. However, counties and municipalities can opt out of Sunday sales if 20% of voters or 1,500 voters (whichever is less) sign a petition for an election.

Additionally, a separate bill passed by the Mississippi House in February 2024 would remove certain statewide alcohol prohibitions, allowing some cities in dry counties with populations under 5,000 to automatically become wet starting January 1, 2025. This bill, however, would not give grocery stores the right to sell liquor or wine, only restaurants, bars, and liquor stores.

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