South Carolina's alcohol laws can be confusing, as they vary from county to county. While you can buy beer in South Carolina in a variety of places, including bars, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and breweries, there are restrictions on when and where you can purchase it. Sunday beer sales are banned statewide, but some counties and cities have been granted permission to sell beer on Sundays through referendums. These areas include Columbia, Spartanburg, Charleston, Greenville, Aiken, and Rock Hill, among others. Liquor stores are not permitted to sell beer, and they are only allowed to operate from 9 am to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday. However, grocery and convenience stores can sell beer 24 hours a day, except on Sundays, unless permitted by the county.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Availability of beer in SC | Beer can be bought anywhere in South Carolina, except on Sundays. |
Sunday beer sales | Banned statewide, but some counties and cities have been granted permission through referendums. |
Counties allowing Sunday beer sales | Abbeville, Berkeley, Beaufort, Charleston, Darlington, Dorchester, Georgetown, Greenwood, Horry, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Richland (unincorporated areas only), and York. |
Cities allowing Sunday beer sales | Columbia, Spartanburg, Charleston, Greenville, Aiken, Rock Hill, Summerville, Santee, Daniel Island, Clemson, Hardeeville and Tega Cay. |
Buying beer on other days | Beer can be purchased for off-premise consumption 24 hours a day, except on Sundays. On-premise consumption laws vary by county and city. |
Buying beer from bars and restaurants | Beer can be bought from bars and restaurants from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Monday to Friday. Sales stop at midnight on Saturday and are not allowed on Sundays, unless permitted by the county. |
Buying beer from grocery stores | Beer can be bought from grocery stores from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Sundays, unless the store is in a city or county that allows Sunday sales. |
Buying beer from gas stations | Statewide, gas stations can sell beer 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday. Beer cannot be sold in gas stations on Sundays, unless the county or city permits it. |
Buying beer from breweries and taprooms | Breweries and taprooms can sell beer from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Saturday. Many breweries are closed on Mondays and open or close at different times. In counties that allow it, breweries can sell beer starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays. |
Buying beer from package and liquor stores | Package and liquor stores in South Carolina do not sell beer. |
What You'll Learn
Beer can be bought in bars and restaurants in South Carolina
In South Carolina, beer can also be purchased at gas stations, grocery stores, and breweries and taprooms. Statewide, gas stations can sell beer 24 hours a day, from Monday through Saturday. Grocery stores can sell beer from 9 am to 7 pm every day except Sundays, unless the store is in a city or county that permits Sunday sales. Breweries and taprooms follow the same hours of operation as bars and restaurants, selling beer from 10 am to 2 am, Monday to Saturday, and sometimes on Sundays, depending on the county.
While South Carolina does not have any dry counties, there are laws restricting the purchase of beer at certain times. For example, Pickens County enforces a restriction of no beer sales after 2 am. On the other hand, in-store beer sales are allowed 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Charleston.
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Gas stations sell beer
However, it's important to note that the sale of beer is subject to certain regulations and varies across counties and cities. While you can buy beer at gas stations, the sale of liquor is restricted to licensed liquor stores.
In terms of timing, gas stations are typically allowed to sell beer 24 hours a day, from Monday through Saturday. However, Sunday sales are generally prohibited unless the gas station is located in a county or city that permits it.
South Carolina's Sunday liquor laws differ depending on the location. Some counties and cities have passed referendums allowing for on-premise and/or off-premise sales of beer on Sundays. These areas have more flexible regulations, but it's always a good idea to check the specific laws in your county or city.
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Grocery stores sell beer
If you're looking to buy beer in South Carolina, you can do so at grocery stores. Beer is sold at most grocery stores in the state, and you can purchase it 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday.
However, it's important to note that beer sales on Sundays are prohibited in South Carolina, with some exceptions. Certain counties and cities have passed referendums allowing Sunday sales of beer and wine. These areas include Columbia, Spartanburg, Charleston, Greenville, Aiken, Rock Hill, Summerville, Santee, Daniel Island, Clemson, Hardeeville, and Tega Cay. Additionally, specific counties like Richland allow Sunday sales only in unincorporated areas.
So, if you're planning to buy beer from a grocery store in South Carolina on a Sunday, make sure to check if the county or city you're in permits Sunday sales.
When purchasing beer from a grocery store, it's important to remember that these sales are strictly for off-premise consumption. You cannot drink the beer inside the store or on its premises. Additionally, grocery stores typically sell beer during specific hours, usually from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, except Sundays, unless local laws permit otherwise.
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Breweries and taprooms sell beer
If you're looking to buy beer in South Carolina, you're in luck! Breweries and taprooms sell beer, and there are plenty of these dotted across the state.
Breweries and taprooms follow the same hours of operation as bars and restaurants, so you can buy beer from these places from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Monday to Saturday. However, many breweries are closed on Mondays, and some open or close at different times.
On Sundays, breweries and taprooms in certain counties can sell beer from 10 a.m., but only if the county allows it. These include Abbeville, Berkeley, Beaufort, Charleston, Darlington, Dorchester, Georgetown, Greenwood, Horry, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Richland (unincorporated areas only), and York. Lancaster and Lexington also allow Sunday sales, but only in cities with referendums.
When you visit a brewery or taproom, you'll be able to buy beer on draft to enjoy on-site, as well as packaged beer in bottles and cans to take home. Many also sell growlers and kegs.
It's worth noting that South Carolina's beer laws can be complex and vary from county to county, so it's always a good idea to check the laws and hours of operation for your specific location. Additionally, while you can buy beer at breweries and taprooms, you won't be able to find beer at liquor stores in South Carolina.
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Liquor stores do not sell beer
If you're looking to buy beer in South Carolina, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, beer is widely available in the state and can be purchased in various places such as bars, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and breweries. However, there are some restrictions on where and when you can buy beer.
While you can buy beer in South Carolina at any time of day, it's important to note that liquor stores do not sell beer. These stores only sell liquor and high ABV wines and are usually open from 9 am to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday. They are typically closed on Sundays, unless permitted by local governance. So, if you're specifically looking to buy beer, liquor stores should not be your go-to option.
Instead, you can head to bars and restaurants, which are allowed to sell beer from 10 am to 2 am, Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, the sale of beer in bars and restaurants stops at midnight, and they are not permitted to sell beer on Sundays unless allowed by the county. Additionally, you can purchase beer at gas stations and grocery stores, which are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, beer sales at these locations are not permitted on Sundays, unless the county or city has granted permission.
It's worth noting that South Carolina has complex alcohol regulations that vary across counties and cities. While there are no dry counties in the state, each county and city may have different rules regarding the sale of beer and liquor. Some counties and cities have passed referendums allowing the sale of beer and wine on Sundays, while others maintain the statewide ban. Therefore, it's always a good idea to check the specific regulations in your area before heading out to buy beer.
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Frequently asked questions
You can buy beer in bars and restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and breweries and taprooms. However, you cannot buy beer at liquor stores in South Carolina.
Sunday beer sales are banned statewide in South Carolina. However, some counties and cities have been granted permission to sell beer on Sundays through referendums.
On-premise locations, including restaurants and bars, allow beer sales Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Off-premise locations can sell beer 24 hours a day, except on Sundays, unless allowed by referendum.
No, there are laws restricting you from buying beer at specific times. The statewide time for bars to stop selling alcohol is 2 a.m., but some counties and cities permit bars to stay open until 4 a.m.