Buying Beer In Tennessee: Legal Hours And Age Limits

Tennessee's alcohol laws can be confusing and hard to remember. The state's liquor laws have been amended several times in recent years, leaving residents and visitors unsure about when and where they can buy beer.

As of 2023, grocery and liquor stores in Tennessee are permitted to sell beer, wine, and liquor from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, alcohol sales are limited to between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

It is important to note that alcohol sales are prohibited on certain holidays, including Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Additionally, there are 14 counties in Tennessee where the sale of wines and spirits is prohibited by default, and separate local laws may apply.

Beer, wine and spirits can be purchased from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday

However, there are a few exceptions to these rules. Firstly, alcohol sales are prohibited on Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter, so you will need to stock up in advance if you plan on drinking on these holidays. Secondly, liquor stores are permitted to open on Sundays and sell alcohol between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. Finally, grocery stores in Tennessee were allowed to start selling wine on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. starting January 6, 2019.

It is worth noting that while the law sets out the permitted hours for alcohol sales, individual establishments may choose to close earlier at their own discretion.

Alcohol sales are prohibited on Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter

Alcohol sales are prohibited on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter in Tennessee. This applies to all businesses, including grocery and liquor stores, and is in addition to the mandated closing times of 3 am for bars and 11 pm for grocery and liquor stores.

The sale of alcohol in Tennessee is strictly regulated, with only individuals aged 21 and over permitted to purchase and consume alcohol. It is a criminal offense to use a fake ID to buy alcohol, with fines ranging from $50 to $200.

The state also has open container laws, which prohibit the possession of open containers of alcohol in vehicles and on public property, except in certain community events and sidewalk cafes.

The laws regarding alcohol sales and consumption in Tennessee are enforced by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). The TABC offers training programs and permits for individuals handling and selling alcohol.

While alcohol sales are prohibited on major holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, they are now permitted on Labor Day, New Year's Day, and the Fourth of July.

Alcohol sales are allowed on Labor Day, New Year's Day and the Fourth of July

Alcohol sales are allowed on Labor Day, New Year's Day, and the Fourth of July in Tennessee. This legislation was passed in 2018, and it also made it legal to buy beer, wine, and spirits on these days.

In Tennessee, alcohol can be sold from 8 am to 11 pm Monday to Saturday and from 10 am to 11 pm on Sundays.

Beer, wine, and spirits can be purchased in grocery stores, but only beer and wine are sold in grocery stores.

Grocery and liquor stores can sell alcohol from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays

In Tennessee, grocery and liquor stores can sell alcohol from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. This legislation, which came into effect on January 6, 2019, was signed into law by Governor Bill Haslam in April 2018. It was a significant change to the state's liquor laws, which had previously prohibited Sunday sales of wine and liquor in retail stores.

The new law, HB 1540, was a result of the Tennessee General Assembly's decision to "uncork the prohibition of Sunday wine and liquor sales." It was expected to be a welcome change for residents, who often found themselves unable to purchase alcohol on Sundays, and a financial boost for the state, with projected increased revenues of over $2,883,800.

The law allows grocery and liquor stores to sell beer, wine, and liquor from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. However, it is important to note that alcohol sales remain prohibited on certain holidays, including Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Additionally, liquor stores are required by Tennessee state law to mark up the price of spirits by 10% and wine by 20%.

The change in legislation was well-received by grocery stores, who anticipated an increase in sales, particularly from customers who already did their regular shopping on Sundays. It also aligned the hours of wine sales with beer sales, creating a more consistent framework for alcohol sales in the state.

While the new law applied to most areas in Tennessee, it is worth noting that some counties in the state have their own specific regulations regarding the sale of wines and spirits. For example, 14 counties in Tennessee prohibit the sale of wines and spirits by default, meaning they must pass local laws to allow the sale of certain types of alcohol. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the local laws and regulations regarding alcohol sales in your specific area.

You must be 21 or over to buy alcohol in Tennessee

In the state of Tennessee, you must be 21 or over to buy alcohol. This is in line with the rest of the United States, where the legal drinking age is 21.

Tennessee alcohol laws apply to all residents and visitors. These laws may vary locally to a degree. For example, in 14 counties, the sale of wines and spirits is prohibited by default, meaning these counties must pass local laws to allow the sale of certain liquors.

It is a criminal offence to use a fake ID to buy alcohol, with fines ranging from $50 to $200.

The sale of alcohol is prohibited on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.

Businesses with a license to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption, like bars and restaurants, can sell drinks from 8 a.m. Monday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. on Sunday. The same hours apply to off-premises establishments like grocery and liquor stores.

Liquor stores in Tennessee are allowed to be open on Sundays, and grocery stores can sell wine on Sundays.

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