Texas Beer Buying Guide: Where To Purchase Legally

Texas has a complicated history with alcohol laws, and it can be challenging to keep up with the latest regulations. The state's alcohol laws, sometimes referred to as ABC or liquor laws, have evolved over time to meet the needs of Texans. Texas liquor laws are regulated at multiple levels of government and deal with large, complex industries. The state's first Blue Laws (alcohol ban) was passed in 1935, two years after the end of federal Prohibition, and Texas continues to update these laws. For example, in 2021, Texas updated the law to allow the sale of beer and wine from 10 am on Sundays instead of noon.

So, where can you buy beer in Texas? The answer depends on the day of the week. Beer can be purchased at grocery stores, convenience stores, and other retailers from 7 am to midnight, Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, sales begin at 7 am and continue until 1 am on Sunday. On Sundays, beer sales start at 10 am and last until midnight. It is important to note that Texas liquor stores, also known as package stores, are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Additionally, Texas has specific laws regarding the sale of liquor and wine. Liquor stores are only open from 10 am to 9 pm, Monday to Saturday, and wine-only package stores have similar operating hours. Wineries are permitted to serve alcohol from 8 am to midnight, Monday to Saturday, and from 10 am to midnight on Sundays.

Texas also has laws regarding alcohol consumption on-premises, such as in bars and restaurants, and off-premises, such as in convenience stores and grocery stores. On-premises consumption is allowed from 7 am to midnight, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 1 am on Saturday, and noon to midnight on Sunday. Off-premises consumption follows similar hours but starts at 10 am on Sundays.

Understanding Texas's alcohol laws can be tricky, but it is essential for businesses and consumers to stay informed to comply with the latest regulations.

Beer in Texas can be bought at grocery stores or other retailers from 10 am to midnight on Sundays

Texas has some unique laws regarding the sale of alcohol, which can be a little confusing. So, it's good to know that beer in Texas can be bought at grocery stores or other retailers from 10 am to midnight on Sundays.

The laws regarding Sunday alcohol sales have changed in recent years. In 2021, the law was updated to allow retailers to sell beer and wine from 10 am, rather than having to wait until noon. This change was made by Gov. Greg Abbott, who signed a bill that included an amendment to the Alcoholic Beverage Code. This was a welcome change for many Texans, who had been unable to buy beer or wine before noon on Sundays for over 15 months.

The new law means that grocery stores and other retailers can sell beer and wine from 10 am to midnight on Sundays. This is a change from the previous law, which only allowed alcohol sales from noon to midnight on Sundays. It's important to note that this law only applies to beer and wine, and liquor sales are still not allowed on Sundays.

During the week, alcohol sales are allowed from 7 am to midnight, Monday to Friday, and from 7 am on Saturday until 1 am on Sunday morning. Liquor stores are closed on Sundays, as well as on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, then liquor stores are required to remain closed on the following Monday.

Texas has a long history of "blue laws", which banned the sale of certain items on consecutive weekend days. These laws were repealed in 1985, but liquor sales on Sundays were still prohibited. It's only been a few years since Texas changed the law to allow beer and wine sales on Sundays, and even then, only from noon. The recent change to allow sales from 10 am is a significant development for the state.

Liquor stores in Texas are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day

Texas has some interesting laws regarding the sale of alcohol, and these vary depending on the type of alcohol and the day of the week.

On Mondays to Saturdays, liquor stores are permitted to operate from 10 am to 9 pm. However, if Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the stores must remain closed on the following Monday.

Beer and wine sales are also restricted on Sundays, with sales permitted in grocery and convenience stores from 10 am to midnight. Before 2021, alcohol sales could not start until noon on Sundays, but the law was changed to allow for greater flexibility.

It is important to note that these laws do not apply to bars and restaurants. Alcoholic beverages can be served after noon on Sundays in these establishments, and some bars and restaurants with a "'late hours' permit" can serve alcohol until 2 am any night of the week. Additionally, hotel bars can serve alcohol to registered guests at any time.

Wineries in Texas can serve alcohol from 10 am to midnight on Sundays

Texas has strict laws concerning alcohol sales and service, with the days and hours of operation varying based on the type of alcohol and the day of the week.

In Texas, grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and wine between 7 a.m. and midnight from Monday to Friday, and from 7 a.m. on Saturday until 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. On Sundays, sales are permitted from 10 a.m. until midnight.

Liquor stores are not permitted to operate on Sundays or major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the store must remain closed on the following Monday. During the week, liquor stores are allowed to operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Wineries in Texas can serve alcohol from 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

For on-premises consumption at bars or restaurants, alcohol can be served from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. on Saturday until 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. On Sundays, alcohol service is allowed from 10 a.m. to noon with food service, and from noon to midnight without food.

Texas's alcohol laws can be confusing, as they are regulated at multiple levels and have evolved over time to meet the needs of Texans.

Alcohol can be served at bars or restaurants inside hotels to registered guests at any time on Sundays

Texas has very specific laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol. Alcohol sales hours differ depending on whether the alcohol is being served for consumption on-premise (bars or restaurants) or off-premise (convenience stores or grocery stores).

Alcohol Service Hours in Texas

On-premise license or permit (e.g. bar or restaurant):

• Monday to Friday: 7 am to midnight
• Saturday: 7 am to 1 am (Sunday morning)
• Sunday: noon to midnight (10 am to noon only with the service of food)

Off-premise beer/wine license or permit (e.g. convenience store or grocery store):

• Monday to Friday: 7 am to midnight
• Saturday: 7 am to 1 am (Sunday morning)
• Sunday: 10 am to midnight

Liquor stores (also known as package stores):

• Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 9 pm
• Closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If Christmas Day or New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the store must remain closed the following Monday.

Alcohol Service Hours in Hotels

Alcohol Consumption Laws in Texas

It is worth noting that the legal hours of public consumption of alcoholic beverages in Texas are as follows:

• In an extended-hours area: Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 2:15 am, and Sunday, noon to 2:15 am.
• In a standard-hours area: Monday to Friday, 7 am to 12:15 am, Saturday, 7 am to 1:15 am, and Sunday, noon to 12:15 am.

There are exceptions to these rules, including that consumption is legal between 10 am and noon on Sundays at an on-premise establishment when the beverage is sold along with the service of food to a customer.

Alcohol can be served at festivals, fairs, or concerts from 10 am to noon on Sundays with the proper permit

Texas has some complicated alcohol laws, which can be confusing for visitors and locals alike. Alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays before 10 am and after midnight. However, there is an exception for festivals, fairs, or concerts, where alcohol can be served from 10 am to noon on Sundays, provided the proper permit is in place.

This exception falls under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) regulations, which govern the sale of alcohol in the state. The TABC permits the sale of alcohol at certain licensed premises during specific hours, and these include festivals, fairs, and concerts. The law states that:

> In addition to any other period when the sale of alcohol is authorized, a licensed or permitted premises located at a festival, fair, or concert may sell alcoholic beverages between 10 a.m. and noon on Sunday.

This means that if you're attending a festival, fair, or concert in Texas on a Sunday, you can expect to purchase alcohol during those specified hours. However, it's important to note that the venue must have the correct permit, as outlined by the TABC, to serve alcohol during this time.

The TABC also outlines that on-premise license holders, such as bars and restaurants, can serve alcohol from 7 am to midnight, Monday to Friday, and 7 am to 1 am on Saturdays. On Sundays, they can only serve alcohol from noon to midnight, unless food is served, in which case they can serve from 10 am.

Off-premise license holders, like convenience and grocery stores, have similar hours, except they can start selling alcohol at 10 am on Sundays.

Liquor stores, however, are not allowed to operate on Sundays at all. They are also closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, they remain closed on the following Monday.

These laws are a result of Texas's "blue laws", which date back to 1935, when lawmakers passed the Texas Liquor Control Act after Prohibition was repealed. While some of these laws have been relaxed over the years, the "no liquor on Sundays" rule remains in place, nearly 90 years later.

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