Buying Beer On Sundays In Georgia: Where And When?

Alcohol sales laws in Georgia can be confusing, as local jurisdictions are allowed to set their own, more restrictive rules. In general, in Georgia, you can buy beer for off-premises consumption between 8:00 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Sundays. However, some counties and cities have different laws. For example, in Atlanta, you can buy beer from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays, and in Coweta County, you can buy beer from 12:30 p.m. on Sundays. Additionally, there are some dry counties in Georgia where alcohol sales are illegal.

In Atlanta, beer can be purchased from 11 am to midnight on Sundays

In Atlanta, Georgia, beer can be purchased from 11 am to midnight on Sundays. This is thanks to a measure passed by voters in 2022, which came into effect in 2023. The measure was passed with 82% of voters in agreement.

Prior to this, the law in Georgia stated that alcoholic beverages could only be purchased between 12:30 pm and 11:30 pm on Sundays. This is still the case in many parts of the state. However, in some counties, alcohol cannot be purchased on Sundays at all.

In Georgia, beer and wine can be purchased in grocery and convenience stores, while spirits are only sold in licensed package stores. Alcohol sales are not permitted before 8 am or after 11:45 pm from Monday to Saturday.

There are also some 'dry counties' in Georgia, where retail sales of liquor are not allowed at all. These include Coweta, Dodge, Franklin, Decatur, and Murray counties.

Beer can be bought at gas stations and convenience stores

Generally, in Georgia, beer can be purchased at gas stations and convenience stores from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, beer sales are restricted to between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. However, some cities, like Atlanta, have passed laws allowing earlier Sunday sales, with beer available from 11 a.m. to midnight.

It's worth noting that there are also dry counties in Georgia, where the sale of alcohol is prohibited altogether. These include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, Union, and White Counties. So, if you're looking to buy beer from a gas station or convenience store in Georgia, be sure to check the local laws of the specific county or city you're in.

In 2011, Georgia voted to end the ban on Sunday beer sales

Prior to the vote, Georgia politicians debated for years whether to abolish a century-old law prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Sundays. The issue was then put to a vote, and the results showed a clear preference for ending the restriction. This change meant that alcohol could now be sold in stores on Sundays, in addition to the existing sales in bars and restaurants.

However, it's important to note that Georgia's alcohol laws can be complex due to local jurisdictions having the authority to set more restrictive rules. As a result, the specific regulations regarding alcohol sales, including on Sundays, can vary by county. For example, there are still some counties in Georgia that do not allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays at all. These are known as "dry counties," and as of 2023, they include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, and Union Counties.

Additionally, while Sunday alcohol sales are permitted in most parts of Georgia, there are specific time restrictions in place. Alcohol sales on Sundays are typically allowed from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. However, these hours may vary slightly depending on the county and the type of establishment selling alcohol.

On-premise beer sales laws vary by county and city

Some cities in Georgia have enacted a "brunch bill" that allows bars and restaurants to sell alcohol starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays. This is in addition to the state's existing brunch law that allows alcohol service to begin at 11 a.m. on Sundays in jurisdictions that have opted into it.

Furthermore, certain counties in Georgia are "dry counties," meaning that the retail sale of liquor is illegal in those jurisdictions. As of 2023, the dry counties in Georgia include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, Union, and White (except for the city of Helen) Counties. Butts and Decatur Counties prohibit alcohol sales for on-site consumption but allow off-site consumption. Upson County prohibits retail alcohol sales but permits alcohol service in bars and restaurants.

The variation in on-premise beer sales laws by county and city in Georgia can be attributed to the state's alcohol laws, which allow local jurisdictions to set more restrictive rules. This results in a complex and confusing landscape for consumers and businesses alike.

Beer can be purchased from 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm on Sundays

The specific times that alcohol can be purchased vary by jurisdiction in Georgia, with local laws able to set more restrictive rules than state laws. However, the state law sets the earliest and latest sales times for off-premise retailers on Sundays as 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm.

On-premise consumption regulations, which apply to bars and restaurants, differ slightly. While some jurisdictions have a ""brunch law" that allows alcohol service to begin at 11 am on Sundays, others still have to wait until 12:30 pm. All on-premise retailers must stop serving alcohol by 11:30 pm on Sundays.

It's worth noting that there are some counties in Georgia that do not allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays at any time. These are known as "dry counties," and as of 2023, they include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, Union, Butts, and Decatur counties. White County is also dry, except for the city of Helen.

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