Oklahoma's Beer Buying Laws: When Can You Legally Purchase?

Oklahoma has some of the strictest liquor laws in the US. The state's constitution included total prohibition of alcoholic beverages when it was founded in 1907. While voters repealed this in 1959, the sale of alcohol has been heavily restricted and regulated ever since.

In this paragraph, we will explore the laws surrounding the sale of beer in Oklahoma, including where and when it can be purchased, and by whom.

Beer with ABV above 15% cannot be sold in grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies

In Oklahoma, beer and wine can be sold by any establishment with a license to do so. This includes grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies. However, there are restrictions on the alcohol by volume (ABV) that can be sold in these locations. Beer with an ABV above 15% cannot be sold in grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies. This is a result of Oklahoma's alcohol laws, which were changed in 2016 and again in October 2023.

Until recently, Oklahoma had strict laws regarding the sale of alcohol. The state only abolished prohibition in 1959, and for many years, only allowed the sale of beer with an ABV of 3.2% or less. This was known as "low-point beer." While liquor stores could sell higher-point beer, they were subject to strict operating hours and were closed on Sundays.

The laws began to change in 2016, when Oklahoma passed State Question 792, which allowed grocery stores, convenience stores, and pharmacies to sell strong beer and wine. This reform also allowed liquor stores to sell cold beverages and non-alcoholic items. However, beer with an ABV above 15% was still restricted to liquor stores.

In October 2023, Oklahoma further updated its alcohol laws, doing away with low-point beer entirely. Now, grocery stores and gas stations can sell beer with an ABV of up to 9% and wine with an ABV of up to 15%. Liquor stores can sell beer and wine with higher ABVs, but they must close by midnight during the week and are only allowed to operate from noon to midnight on Sundays in counties where it is permitted.

While the laws on alcohol sales have relaxed in Oklahoma, there are still strict regulations in place regarding the consumption of alcohol. It is illegal to consume alcohol in public or to be drunk in any public place. Minors under the age of 21 are not permitted to purchase or possess alcohol, and it is a felony to provide alcohol to minors, the intoxicated, or the "mentally deficient." Driving under the influence is also strictly prohibited and carries harsh penalties.

Minors can consume alcohol in a private setting but cannot purchase or possess it

In Oklahoma, it is illegal for minors under the age of 21 to possess or purchase alcohol. However, consumption by minors in a private setting is not prohibited by Oklahoma law, provided it is under the direct supervision of their parent or guardian. This exception does not allow minors to consume low-point beer (defined as containing not more than 3.2% alcohol by weight) on premises licensed to dispense low-point beer. Minors may not have a blood alcohol level of more than .02%.

Oklahoma law prohibits the possession or consumption of low-point beer or alcohol by anyone under the age of 21, unless they are in a private setting drinking under the supervision of their parents. It is also illegal for minors to use a fake ID, misrepresent their age, or attempt to purchase alcohol. Being a minor in possession of alcohol is a misdemeanor punishable by a $300 fine, up to 30 hours of community service, and driver's license suspension.

Minors under 21 are not allowed to enter bars or liquor stores where the primary function is the sale of alcohol. They are also prohibited from entering enclosed bar areas within restaurants. It is illegal for any business licensed to sell alcohol to sell it to a minor. Doing so could result in the loss of the business's liquor license or permit to sell low-point beer. Furnishing alcohol to a minor is a misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine and up to one year in county jail.

Oklahoma's social host laws impose penalties on anyone who allows minors to drink on their premises or provides a place for minors to consume alcohol. Landowners who permit a person under 21 to consume alcohol on their property may face a fine of between $2,500 and $5,000 and up to five years in prison.

Liquor stores must be closed on public holidays

Oklahoma has some of the strictest liquor laws in the country. Liquor stores in the state must be closed on public holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day. These laws also apply to Sundays, with only 11 of Oklahoma's 77 counties authorising Sunday liquor sales. If a county does allow Sunday sales, stores must wait until noon before serving customers.

The state's strict liquor laws can be traced back to its constitution, which included total prohibition on alcoholic beverages. While voters repealed total prohibition in 1959, and liquor-by-the-drink bars were approved in 1985, the sale of alcohol in Oklahoma is still comprehensively limited and regulated.

Any beverage containing more than 3.2% abw (which is around 4% ABV) may only be sold in licensed liquor stores and must be sold at room temperature. This refrigeration ban means that many smaller breweries limit or do not sell their products in Oklahoma.

While liquor stores are subject to strict regulations, grocery and convenience stores are able to sell beer, and are not restricted from selling alcohol during the holidays or on Sundays. Bars are also permitted to sell alcohol on Sundays and public holidays, although some counties restrict the time a bar can be open on Sundays.

Liquor stores cannot open before 10 am or after 9 pm

Oklahoma has some of the strictest liquor laws in the country. This stems from the state's constitution, which included total prohibition of alcoholic beverages when it became a state in 1907. While voters repealed total prohibition in 1959, liquor-by-the-drink bars were not allowed until 1985.

Today, liquor stores in Oklahoma are subject to strict regulations regarding their hours of operation. They cannot open before 10 am or after 9 pm. They must also remain closed on Sundays, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. These mandated closures are in addition to the restriction on selling refrigerated beverages, which has led to smaller breweries limiting or refraining from selling their products in the state.

The hours of operation for liquor stores in Oklahoma are a result of the state's comprehensive alcohol laws, which aim to regulate the sale and consumption of alcohol while also addressing public safety concerns. While these laws may pose an inconvenience to some, they have contributed to a significant reduction in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities and alcohol-related crashes in the state.

It is important to note that the regulations for liquor stores do not apply to grocery and convenience stores, which can sell beer, or to bars and pubs, which can serve alcohol outside the mandated liquor store hours. These alternative options provide some flexibility for consumers, particularly on days when liquor stores are required to be closed.

Beer cannot be sold where people are unclothed or exposing private parts

Oklahoma has some of the strictest liquor laws in the United States. The state's constitution included the prohibition of alcohol when it became a state in 1907. Although prohibition was repealed in 1933, Oklahoma did not ratify the 21st Amendment and instead approved the sale of beer containing no more than 3.2% alcohol by weight with the Oklahoma Beer Act of 1933.

In 1959, voters repealed total prohibition, and in 1985, liquor-by-the-drink bars were allowed to operate. However, even today, Oklahoma has strict laws regulating the sale and consumption of alcohol. For instance, liquor stores can only sell spirits or wine and not beer, and they cannot sell refrigerated products. Grocery and convenience stores, on the other hand, can only sell beer and not spirits or wine.

One of the more unusual laws in Oklahoma prohibits the sale of low-point beer where unclothed persons or persons with exposed private parts are present on the same premises. This means that beer cannot be sold in places like strip clubs or other adult entertainment venues. This law is in line with Oklahoma's conservative and Christian values, which have historically viewed alcohol as something to be avoided.

While this law may seem odd to some, it is just one of many unique alcohol regulations in Oklahoma. For example, liquor stores must be closed on major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as on Sundays in most counties. Additionally, vendors are prohibited from selling alcohol to intoxicated persons or those adjudged as mentally deficient. These laws aim to regulate alcohol consumption and promote public safety, particularly concerning alcohol-related crashes and personal injuries.

While Oklahoma's alcohol laws may be stricter than in other states, they have been effective in reducing alcohol-impaired driving fatalities and overall alcohol-related mortality. The state has seen a significant decrease in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities among both minors and the general population, with rates dropping below the national average. These laws also ensure that vendors and consumers take responsibility for creating a safer environment around alcohol consumption.

Frequently asked questions