Sunday Beer Buying In North Carolina: When's The Right Time?

North Carolina's alcohol laws can be confusing. The state is one of eight that doesn't allow happy hours, and one of four that closes liquor stores on Sundays. The sale of alcohol is prohibited from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays, alcohol sales are prohibited until 10 a.m. or noon, depending on the location. Beer can be purchased on Sundays after 10 a.m. or noon, from bars, restaurants, and retail locations with the license to sell it.

Beer can be bought on Sundays after 10 a.m. or noon, depending on the county

Beer lovers in North Carolina can now enjoy their favourite drink earlier on Sundays, with the passing of the "Brunch Bill" in 2017. This law changed the long-standing "blue laws", which had restricted alcohol sales on Sundays to protect the sanctity of the Sabbath. Now, beer can be purchased from any licensed location, including bars, restaurants, and retail outlets, after 10 a.m. on Sundays in most counties.

However, it is important to note that the specific day and time restrictions may vary between counties. For example, some counties may still enforce the previous restriction of only allowing beer sales after noon on Sundays. Additionally, ABC stores, which are run by the state and sell liquor, remain closed on Sundays.

The change in law was designed to support businesses, particularly restaurants, by allowing them to serve alcohol earlier in the day. It also gives consumers more flexibility in when they can purchase beer for their Sunday dinners or brunches. This is especially beneficial for those who prefer to shop early in the morning to avoid crowds.

While the "Brunch Bill" has brought about a positive change for many, there are still some who find the current restrictions inconvenient and outdated. Some counties have only recently allowed alcohol sales, and there are still some towns and counties that are completely dry. Additionally, North Carolina has strict laws regarding happy hours and drink specials, which are currently illegal in the state.

Overall, while there have been steps forward in alcohol law reform in North Carolina, there are still some complexities and variations to be aware of when purchasing beer on Sundays, depending on your county.

North Carolina's blue laws once banned Sunday alcohol sales before noon

North Carolina's blue laws once banned the sale of alcohol on Sundays before noon. Blue laws are laws that restrict or ban some or all activities on specified days, usually Sundays. These laws were designed to protect the sanctity of the Sabbath and promote a day of rest. While they have largely been repealed across the United States, many states, including North Carolina, continue to enforce tighter restrictions on the sale of alcoholic drinks on Sundays.

In North Carolina, the sale of alcohol on Sundays has long been a controversial issue. Until recently, "blue laws" were in place, prohibiting the sale of alcohol before noon on Sundays. This meant that bars, restaurants, and retail locations could not sell alcoholic beverages until after 12 p.m. on Sundays, while liquor stores, known as ABC stores, remained closed for the day. This presented a significant inconvenience for those looking to purchase alcohol on Sundays, particularly for those wanting to start drinking earlier in the day.

However, in 2017, Governor Roy Cooper signed the "Brunch Bill" into law, marking a significant change in North Carolina's alcohol regulations. The new law loosened the restrictions imposed by the blue laws, allowing restaurants and grocery stores to sell alcoholic beverages starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays, two hours earlier than previously permitted. This change was subject to local government approval, and several municipalities, including Raleigh, quickly embraced the earlier sales.

The "Brunch Bill" represented a shift in North Carolina's approach to alcohol sales on Sundays, providing greater flexibility for businesses and consumers alike. While ABC stores remain closed on Sundays, the new law gives local governments the discretion to determine the appropriate hours for alcohol sales within their communities. This change also brought North Carolina in line with other states that have relaxed their Sunday alcohol sales restrictions, such as Arizona, Georgia, and Indiana.

Despite this progress, it is important to note that North Carolina still maintains strict regulations surrounding alcohol sales and consumption. For example, happy hour drink specials remain illegal in the state, and establishments cannot provide more than one mixed drink to a customer at a time. Additionally, North Carolina law continues to restrict alcohol sales from Monday to Saturday between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m.

The state's Brunch Bill of 2017 allowed earlier sales

On June 30, 2017, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed the "Brunch Bill" into law, allowing earlier sales of beer on Sundays. This bill changed the previous "blue laws", which restricted Sunday alcohol sales until after noon. The new law permits restaurants and licensed retail businesses to sell beer and other alcoholic beverages starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays, provided that local governments agree to the earlier hours. This change was welcomed by the hospitality industry, particularly in areas with a busy restaurant scene, as it gave consumers more flexibility and allowed businesses to better meet their guests' needs.

The "Brunch Bill" was officially known as Senate Bill 155 and included several provisions related to the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in North Carolina. One significant provision was the authorisation for local county and city governments to adopt an ordinance permitting the sale of malt beverages, unfortified wine, fortified wine, and mixed drinks from 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. Initially, this rule applied only to restaurants, but it was later expanded to include any licensed permit holder, such as breweries, bottle shops, and other retail businesses. This change gave consumers more options for purchasing alcohol on Sunday mornings and provided an economic boost to businesses in the hospitality industry.

The bill also contained provisions that benefited craft distilleries and breweries. Distilleries were now allowed to sell up to five bottles of their liquor directly to consumers annually, a significant increase from the previous limit of one bottle. Additionally, distilleries could obtain a special permit to offer free quarter-ounce tasting samples at various events, including trade shows, conventions, and festivals. This provision helped promote local spirits and gave consumers the opportunity to explore new products.

Furthermore, the "Brunch Bill" addressed the issue of off-site storage for breweries, wineries, and distilleries. These businesses were now permitted to store their alcoholic beverages at a non-contiguous storage location approved by the United States Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). This change was especially beneficial to fast-growing breweries that needed additional space for their inventory. The bill also clarified and relaxed regulations regarding the sale of wine without food, allowing retail businesses like breweries and bottle shops to obtain a permit to sell unfortified wine without providing a food menu.

In summary, the "Brunch Bill" of 2017 had a significant impact on the sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages in North Carolina. By allowing earlier sales on Sundays and providing various benefits to the hospitality industry, the bill created a more vibrant and flexible environment for consumers and businesses alike.

Beer and wine are available at grocery and convenience stores

Firstly, North Carolina has relatively open laws regarding beer sales, and beer is sold in every county. Beer can be purchased any day of the week, including Sundays, but there are time restrictions. From Monday to Saturday, beer can be bought between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. On Sundays, beer sales are not permitted until after noon. These times may vary between counties, and private retailers can set their own hours.

Grocery stores that sell beer must have a minimum of $1,500 worth of staple foods, such as bread, eggs, and milk, to be considered a food business that can sell alcohol for off-premise consumption. There is an 80-liter limit for purchasing beer at grocery stores.

Convenience stores, such as gas stations, can also sell beer. They must have a permit for off-premise alcohol sales and are subject to the same hours as grocery stores. Gas stations have an 80-liter maximum of beer that can be sold at one time, and there is a limit of two beers per customer.

It is worth noting that North Carolina was previously subject to blue laws, which restricted Sunday alcohol sales before noon to protect the sanctity of the Sabbath. However, in 2017, Governor Roy Cooper signed the "Brunch Bill", allowing restaurants and stores to sell alcohol starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays. This change was designed to support businesses and provide more flexibility for consumers. Despite this update, some may still find these laws outdated and inconvenient, particularly those who prefer to shop early in the morning when stores are less busy.

Liquor is only sold at state-run ABC stores, which are closed on Sundays

North Carolina's liquor laws can be confusing, especially when it comes to Sunday sales. Here's what you need to know about liquor sales in the state:

Liquor Sales in North Carolina:

Liquor sales in North Carolina are regulated by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission, and there are some unique aspects to the state's liquor laws. One notable feature is that liquor is only sold at ABC stores that are run by the state. These ABC stores have specific operating hours and are typically open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. However, they remain closed on Sundays.

Sunday Restrictions:

The closure of ABC stores on Sundays is a significant restriction for those looking to purchase liquor in North Carolina. This restriction is a result of the state's "blue laws," which were designed to uphold the sanctity of the Sabbath and impose strict limits on alcohol sales during that day. While the "Brunch Bill" of 2017 relaxed some of these restrictions, allowing restaurants and stores to sell beer, wine, and alcohol starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays, it did not affect ABC store operations.

Impact of COVID-19:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Cooper issued an Executive Order that allowed for mixed beverages to be delivered or served as carry-out from bars and restaurants. This order was in place from December 21, 2020, to June 1, 2021, and was intended to support alcohol sales and provide a safer consumption alternative. However, this order did not change the Sunday restrictions for ABC stores.

County Variations:

It is important to note that North Carolina's alcohol laws can vary by county. While all ABC stores are closed on Sundays, some counties may have additional time restrictions on when and where you can buy beer and wine. For example, Yancey County only allows alcohol sales within the town limits of Burnsville, resulting in a 35-minute drive for residents living outside the town to purchase alcohol.

Calls for Change:

There have been calls for changes to North Carolina's liquor laws, including the Sunday closure of ABC stores. Some residents have expressed frustration with the limited hours and days of operation, especially when it comes to purchasing liquor on Sundays. However, as of November 2024, the state-run ABC stores in North Carolina continue to abide by the Sunday closure rule.

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