The Best Beer-Buying Spots In South Carolina

South Carolina's alcohol laws can be tricky to navigate, with varying regulations across the state. While there are no dry counties in South Carolina, each county and city has its own rules regarding the sale of beer, wine, and liquor. So, where exactly can you buy beer in South Carolina?

Beer in grocery stores

In South Carolina, you can buy beer in grocery stores. However, there are specific times when beer can be sold. Beer is available for purchase in grocery stores from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Sundays, unless the store is in a city or county that permits Sunday alcohol sales. This means that grocery stores in certain counties and cities can sell beer on Sundays, such as Columbia, Spartanburg, Charleston, Greenville, Aiken, and Rock Hill. These stores are allowed to sell beer strictly for off-premise consumption, so you cannot drink the beer inside the store.

The availability of beer in grocery stores differs from that of liquor stores. Liquor stores are only permitted to sell to customers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and are closed on Sundays. On the other hand, gas stations can sell beer 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday, unless they are in a county or city that prohibits Sunday sales.

It is worth noting that South Carolina has a unique history with alcohol laws. While there are currently no dry counties in the state, voters endorsed prohibition in 1892, which led to the establishment of the "Dispensary System" of state-owned liquor stores. Today, the sale of liquor is uniform across the state, but counties may enforce varying time restrictions for beer and wine sales, such as no sales after 2 a.m. in Pickens County. Additionally, some counties allow for 24-hour, 7-day sales of beer and wine in stores, such as Charleston.

South Carolina's alcohol laws can be complex and vary across counties and cities. It is always a good idea to check the local laws and regulations before purchasing or consuming alcohol in the state.

Buying beer on Sundays

South Carolina's alcohol laws are part of the state's history. While there are no dry counties in South Carolina, and retail liquor sales are uniform statewide, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on Sundays by state law. However, some counties and cities have been granted permission to sell beer and wine on Sundays through referendums.

On-Premise and Off-Premise Sales

On-premise locations, including restaurants and bars, allow beer sales from 10 am to 2 am, Monday to Saturday, but not on Sundays. Off-premise locations, such as grocery and convenience stores, can sell beer 24 hours a day, except on Sundays, unless allowed by referendum.

Counties and Cities Permitted to Sell Beer on Sundays

The following counties have been granted permission to sell beer and wine on Sundays: Abbeville, Berkeley, Beaufort, Charleston, Darlington, Dorchester, Georgetown, Greenwood, Horry, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Richland (unincorporated areas only), and York. Lancaster and Lexington allow Sunday sales in cities with referendums.

Cities Permitted to Sell Beer on Sundays

The following cities have passed laws allowing Sunday beer and wine sales: Columbia, Spartanburg, Charleston, Greenville, Aiken, Rock Hill, Summerville, Santee, Daniel Island, Clemson, Hardeeville, and Tega Cay.

Time Restrictions

While retail liquor sales are uniform across the state, certain counties may enforce time restrictions for beer and wine sales. For example, Pickens County does not allow sales after 2 am, while Charleston permits in-store beer and wine sales 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Minimum Drinking Age

The minimum drinking age in South Carolina is 21. However, minors are permitted to drink alcohol for religious purposes or with their parent or guardian inside their home.

Buying beer in bars and restaurants

The laws around buying beer in South Carolina vary by county and day of the week. However, generally, beer can be purchased in bars and restaurants from 10 am to 2 am, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, beer sales are banned statewide, unless the county or city has passed a referendum to allow it.

Hours of operation for bars and restaurants

In most of South Carolina, bars and restaurants are allowed to sell beer from 10 am to 2 am, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, beer sales are prohibited unless the county or city has passed a referendum permitting it.

Some counties and cities that have passed referendums to allow Sunday beer sales include:

• Abbeville
• Berkeley
• Beaufort
• Charleston
• Darlington
• Dorchester
• Georgetown
• Greenwood
• Horry
• McCormick
• Newberry
• Oconee
• Richland (unincorporated areas only)
• York
• Lancaster
• Lexington
• Columbia
• Spartanburg
• Greenville
• Aiken
• Rock Hill
• Summerville
• Santee
• Daniel Island
• Clemson
• Hardeeville
• Tega Cay

On-premise vs off-premise consumption

It's important to note that the laws around beer sales in South Carolina distinguish between on-premise and off-premise consumption. On-premise consumption refers to drinking beer at the location where it was purchased, such as a bar or restaurant. Off-premise consumption refers to purchasing beer to take away and consume elsewhere.

Bars and restaurants in South Carolina are licensed for on-premise consumption only, meaning you cannot purchase beer from a bar or restaurant to drink elsewhere.

Buying beer in other locations

In addition to bars and restaurants, beer can be purchased at gas stations, grocery stores, and breweries and taprooms. Beer is not sold at liquor stores in South Carolina.

Age restrictions

It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol in South Carolina. It is also illegal for anyone to sell alcohol to a minor, even if they have a convincing ID and appear to be old enough. Using a false ID to purchase alcohol is a crime and can result in driver's license revocation.

Other restrictions

There are also laws in South Carolina prohibiting certain promotions and discounts on beer and other alcoholic beverages. Retailers may only lower regular drink prices between 4 pm and 8 pm, and it is illegal to offer "two-or-more-for-the-price-of-one" deals. Giving away free beer, wine, or mixed drinks is also prohibited.

Gas stations selling beer

Gas stations in South Carolina can sell beer 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday. However, beer cannot be sold in gas stations on Sundays unless the gas station is in a county or city that allows it through a referendum.

Gas stations in South Carolina typically sell beer in 12 oz cans or bottles, as well as 19.2 oz cans and 24 oz cans.

While South Carolina is not a dry state, Sunday beer sales are banned statewide. However, some counties and cities have been granted permission to sell beer on Sundays, including Abbeville, Berkeley, Beaufort, Charleston, Darlington, Dorchester, Georgetown, Greenwood, Horry, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Richland (unincorporated areas only), and York. Additionally, Lancaster and Lexington allow Sunday sales in cities with referendums.

Cities and towns that have passed laws allowing Sunday beer sales include Columbia, Spartanburg, Charleston, Greenville, Aiken, Rock Hill, Summerville, Santee, Daniel Island, Clemson, Hardeeville, and Tega Cay.

Liquor stores

South Carolina has a number of laws and regulations regarding the sale of alcohol, and these vary by county. Liquor stores are permitted to sell alcohol to customers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. By law, liquor stores must remain closed on Sundays.

The sale of liquor in South Carolina is regulated by the three-tier distribution system, which is designed to create clear distinctions between manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Alcohol licenses are issued to retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers/importers.

In certain counties, time restrictions for beer and wine sales in stores may be enforced, though there are no dry counties in South Carolina. Some counties allow for 24-hour sales of beer and wine, seven days a week, while others enforce a no-sales period after 2 a.m.

In addition, some counties and cities have been granted permission to sell beer and wine on Sundays through referendums. These include Abbeville, Berkeley, Beaufort, Charleston, Darlington, Dorchester, Georgetown, Greenwood, Horry, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Richland, and York.

Frequently asked questions