Tennessee Sunday Beer Buying: Where And How?

Tennessee's alcohol laws can be confusing, and it's easy to lose track of when and where you can buy beer, wine, and spirits. As of 2023, liquor stores and grocery stores are permitted to sell beer, wine, and liquor from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, sales are limited to between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Alcohol sales are prohibited on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, so you'll need to stock up the day before if you plan on drinking on these holidays. It's worth noting that while liquor stores can open on Sundays, grocery stores had to wait until January 6, 2019, to sell wine seven days a week.

Beer, wine, and spirits can be bought on Labor Day, New Year's Day, and Independence Day

In Tennessee, beer, wine, and spirits can be bought on Labor Day, New Year's Day, and Independence Day. This is in addition to the usual Monday to Saturday sales of alcoholic beverages. However, it's important to note that alcohol sales are prohibited on certain holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. So, if you're planning a party or get-together on those days, make sure you stock up in advance!

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Tennessee have undergone some changes in recent years, with the state legislature approving the sale of wine and liquor in retail stores on Sundays. This change was implemented to align the hours of wine sales with beer sales, providing added convenience for consumers. The new law allows liquor stores to be open on Sundays, while grocery stores were given a later start date of January 1st, 2019, to begin selling wine seven days a week.

It's worth noting that the sale of alcohol in Tennessee is still restricted to specific hours. Grocery and liquor stores are permitted to sell alcoholic beverages from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sundays. Additionally, bars in Tennessee must stop serving drinks and close their doors by 3:00 a.m. at the latest.

While the new laws have made it more convenient to purchase alcohol in Tennessee, it's important to be mindful of the restrictions in place, especially during certain holidays.

Alcohol sales are prohibited on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter

In addition to these prohibited holidays, alcohol sales are also restricted on Sundays. Grocery and liquor stores can only sell alcohol between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Sundays. This restriction does not apply to bars, which can serve alcohol from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Sundays.

It's important to note that alcohol sales laws can vary by state and even by city or county, so it's always a good idea to check the specific regulations for your location.

Grocery stores can sell beer on Sundays but not wine

Tennessee's alcohol laws can be confusing and hard to remember. Here's a breakdown of the laws surrounding the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores on Sundays.

Grocery Stores

As of January 6, 2019, grocery stores in Tennessee are permitted to sell wine on Sundays. This applies to most grocery stores across the state and brings Tennessee in line with most other states. The law allows grocery stores to sell wine during the same hours as beer, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sundays. However, grocery stores are not allowed to sell wine on major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

Liquor Stores

Liquor stores in Tennessee are allowed to be open and sell alcohol, including wine and beer, on Sundays. Liquor stores can sell alcoholic beverages from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sundays, unless otherwise specified by the jurisdiction. Liquor stores are also closed on major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

On-Premises Establishments

Businesses with a license to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption, such as bars and restaurants, are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Sundays.

Off-Premises Establishments

Off-premises establishments like grocery and liquor stores are not allowed to sell alcohol before 8:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m. any day of the week.

Age Restrictions

It is important to note that the legal drinking age in Tennessee is 21, and individuals must be at least 18 years old to work as a server or bartender.

Retail liquor stores are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter

Tennessee's retail liquor stores are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. This means that you cannot buy alcohol at these stores on these holidays. However, restaurants, bars, hotels, and other liquor-by-the-drink establishments are allowed to sell alcohol all year round, including on these three holidays.

In Tennessee, grocery stores are also not permitted to sell wine on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. However, they can sell beer on these days. From January 6, 2019, grocery stores in Tennessee have been allowed to sell wine seven days a week, including on Sundays. This change in the law was implemented to ease customer frustration and boost state and local revenues.

In addition to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, retail liquor stores in Tennessee are also closed on Sundays. Liquor stores can sell alcoholic beverages between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. on the other days of the week, unless otherwise specified by the jurisdiction.

It is important to note that Tennessee has strict laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol. The legal drinking age in the state is 21, and it is illegal for businesses to serve alcohol to minors. The state also has open container laws that prohibit possessing an open container of alcohol in the seating area of a vehicle.

Alcohol sales are allowed from 10 am to 11 pm on Sundays

The change in law allowing Sunday alcohol sales was signed into law by Governor Bill Haslam in April, with liquor stores permitted to open on Sundays immediately, and grocery stores allowed to follow suit from January 6th, 2019. The law was expected to increase state revenue and benefit local businesses, who had previously lost out on Sunday trade.

The law also brought Tennessee in line with most other states, which permit seven-day alcohol sales. It was also a response to customer demand, with Sunday being the biggest shopping day of the week.

It is important to note that alcohol sales to minors are prohibited in Tennessee, and individuals must be 21 or older to purchase and consume alcohol. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving is 0.08 or higher, and it is illegal to have an open container of alcohol in the seating area of a vehicle.

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