Texas Beer Laws: When Can You Legally Stop Buying?

Texas has a set of laws known as blue laws that prohibit the sale of liquor on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. These laws also place additional restrictions on the sale of beer and wine. Beer and wine can be purchased from 7:00 am to midnight Monday to Friday, from 7:00 am to 1:00 am on Saturday, and from 10:00 am to midnight on Sunday. Liquor stores are closed on Sundays and must remain closed on the following Monday if New Year's Day or Christmas falls on a Sunday.

Beer and wine sales hours in Texas

Off-Premise Beer/Wine License or Permit (e.g., Convenience Store or Grocery Store):

• Monday to Friday: 7 am-midnight
• Saturday: 7 am-1 am on Sunday morning
• Sunday: 10 am-midnight

On-Premise License or Permit (e.g., Bar or Restaurant):

• Monday to Friday: 7 am-midnight
• Saturday: 7 am-1 am on Sunday morning
• Sunday: Noon to midnight (10 am-noon only in conjunction with food service)

Package Store/Liquor Store:

• Monday to Saturday: 10 am-9 pm
• Closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, sales are also banned the following Monday.

Sports Venues, Festivals, Fairs, or Concerts:

• Monday to Friday: 7 am-midnight
• Saturday: 7 am-1 am on Sunday morning
• Sunday: 10 am-midnight

It is important to note that these laws are subject to change and may vary by city or county. Additionally, Texas "blue laws" prohibit the sale of liquor on Sundays and specific holidays, with additional restrictions on beer and wine sales.

Liquor sales hours

Texas has strict laws regarding the sale of liquor, which vary depending on the type of alcohol and the day of the week. These laws are known as "blue laws", originally designed to protect Sunday as a day of worship by limiting secular and commercial activities.

Monday to Friday

Liquor stores are permitted to operate from 10 am to 9 pm, Monday through Friday. Grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and wine from 7 am to midnight.

Saturday

On Saturdays, liquor stores maintain the same hours as weekdays, while grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and wine from 7 am to 1 am on Sunday morning.

Sunday

Liquor sales are prohibited on Sundays in Texas. Liquor stores must remain closed, but bars and restaurants can serve alcoholic drinks, including liquor, from 12 pm onwards. Beer and wine can be purchased from 10 am to midnight at grocery and convenience stores.

Major Holidays

Liquor sales are also banned on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If any of these holidays fall on a Sunday, liquor sales are prohibited the following Monday.

Exceptions

It is important to note that alcohol sales hours may differ by city or county, and some Texas counties do not allow alcohol sales at all. Additionally, certain bars or restaurants with a "late hours" permit can serve alcohol until 2 am any night of the week. Hotel bars can serve alcohol to registered guests 24/7, provided they meet the state's criteria for being considered a "bar".

Texas' blue laws

History of Texas Blue Laws

The first Texas blue law, prohibiting working, drinking, horse racing, gambling, and other "heathen practices", went into effect in 1863. The original Texas blue law, enacted in 1961, restricted the sale of 42 specific items on consecutive weekend days (Saturday and Sunday). These included cars, liquor, clothing, home appliances, cameras, cookware, silverware, tools, hardware, furniture, luggage, musical instruments, radios, televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, mattresses, dishes, cutlery, lamps, paints, wallpaper, electrical appliances, tires, bicycles, and various accessories.

Current Texas Blue Laws: Alcohol and Cars

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code outlines the hours of sale and consumption for various types of alcoholic beverages, including liquor, mixed beverages, malt beverages, and wine. It prohibits the sale of liquor on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day, and sets specific hours for the sale and consumption of other alcoholic beverages. Beer and wine can be purchased from 7:00 am to midnight Monday through Friday, from 7:00 am to 1:00 am on Saturday, and from 10:00 am to midnight on Sunday. Car dealerships must also choose to close either on Saturday or Sunday, ensuring a mandatory day of rest and complying with the state's legislative intent to reduce commercial activity on Sundays.

Development and Controversy of Blue Laws

The persistence of blue laws in Texas has been a topic of debate. Proponents argue that they help maintain community standards and values, while opponents believe they are outdated and restrict modern commerce. The most significant changes occurred in 1985 when Texas repealed many of the blue laws, though restrictions on liquor and auto sales remain due to their specific inclusion in state codes. Texas blue laws reflect the state's unique cultural and religious heritage, and the discussion around their relevance and application remains active.

Alcohol sales on Sundays

Texas has strict laws regarding the sale of alcohol on Sundays, which are part of the state's "blue laws". 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 remain on the sale of alcohol and automobiles.

Under Texas's blue laws, the sale of liquor is prohibited on Sundays, as well as on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Liquor stores must remain closed on these days, and sales must end at 9 pm on Saturdays. Beer and wine sales are also restricted on Sundays, with sales permitted only from 10 am to midnight. This restriction applies to grocery and convenience stores, as well as bars and restaurants. Wineries are allowed to serve alcohol from 10 am to midnight on Sundays.

In addition to the daily restrictions, there are also time restrictions on the sale of alcohol throughout the week. Beer and wine can be purchased from 7 am to midnight, Monday through Friday, and from 7 am to 1 am on Saturdays. Liquor sales are permitted from 10 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday.

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Texas can be complicated, as they are regulated at multiple levels and have evolved over time to meet the needs and sensibilities of Texans. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) is responsible for enforcing these laws and has specific regulations in place to do so.

Alcohol sales on holidays

Texas has a number of laws regulating the sale of alcohol on holidays. These laws vary depending on the type of alcohol and the type of establishment selling it. Here is an overview of the alcohol sales restrictions on holidays in Texas:

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day

For a 61-hour period during the New Year's holiday, Texans are prohibited from purchasing liquor. Liquor store closures typically start at 9:01 pm on New Year's Eve and end at 10 am on the day after New Year's Day. This is due to the Texas Liquor Control Act, passed in 1935, which was strengthened in the 1960s and 70s to include restrictions on holiday liquor sales.

Thanksgiving

Liquor stores in Texas are required to shut down on Thanksgiving, in accordance with the Texas Liquor Control Act.

Christmas

Similarly, liquor sales are prohibited on Christmas Day. If Christmas falls on a Sunday, the closure is extended to the following Monday.

Sundays

The sale of liquor is banned on Sundays in Texas. This restriction has been in place since 1935 and is due to Texas's "blue laws", which aim to limit commercial activities on Sundays. Beer and wine, however, can be purchased from 10 am until midnight on Sundays.

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