State Liquor Laws: What Time You Can Buy Alcohol 

Unless you've lived in one place all your adult life, you've probably had to stop and think, "Can I buy alcohol right now?" more than once. It can be hard to figure out when and where you can buy alcohol because of different laws. 

Why Alcohol Laws by State Are So Complicated 

Not only is there a lot of variation in liquor law by state, but local jurisdictions can often pass their own alcohol laws. In some places, you can get a legal turducken: a wet city in a dry county in a wet state. 

Even when local exceptions aren't allowed, state liquor laws can be complicated.  Plus, they can change at any time. 

The truth is, you shouldn't rely on any single blog article to tell you all the current local laws in the country. For the best information, look on your state or local liquor authority website.  

How Do State Liquor Laws Restrict Alcohol Sales Hours? 

A few states keep it simple with a single set of hours for all types of liquor in all types of sales. 

But generally speaking, alcohol selling hours are dictated by: 

• Premises/Business Type. On-premises sales are drinks purchased in restaurants and bars. Off-premises sales are bottles or cans you buy at grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores. Some jurisdictions regulate hours based on the type of business, not just the type of sale. 

• Alcohol Type. Some states set hours based on whether you're buying liquor/spirits, wine, or beer, with definitions. Some divide it up by ABV (alcohol by volume) so that stronger drinks are more tightly restricted. 

• Day. Alcohol selling hours often vary by day of the week, and sometimes before or during holidays. 

How To Learn Your Alcohol Laws by State & Jurisdiction  

For most of us, knowing your state liquor law is a matter of convenience. 

For workers who serve or sell alcohol, there can be big legal trouble for anyone who gets the when, where, and how of alcohol sales wrong. In many jurisdictions, there are criminal and civil liabilities. 

That's why alcohol seller/server training can be so important. It's legally required in some states, but in other cases, it's just a good way to protect yourself from breaking the law. Check out our catalog for state-approved courses available near you! 

Liquor Law by State: Where and When You Can Buy Alcohol 

For those of us who are buying (not selling) alcohol, we'll break down our best and current understanding of alcohol selling hours in all 50 states, plus Washington, DC.  

Alabama: What Time Are State Liquor Stores Open on Sunday? 

There are few state liquor laws. State-owned liquor stores are closed on Sundays and public holidays, but private liquor stores don’t have to follow those rules. 

Many counties prohibit alcohol sales between midnight and noon on Sundays. 

Aside from that, most liquor laws are set by local jurisdictions. 

Alaska: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol? 

Alaska state liquor law allows sales between 8am and 5pm any day of the week. 

Most local jurisdictions have more restrictive liquor laws, however. 

Arizona: Can I Buy Alcohol Right Now? 

In Arizona, you can buy alcohol between 6am and 2am every day of the year.  

Arkansas: When and Where Can You Buy Alcohol? 

Where it's not otherwise restricted by local jurisdiction:  

California: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol? 

In California, you can buy alcohol, on- or off-premises, 6am to 2am any day of the year. 

Cities and counties can set additional restrictions. 

Colorado: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol? 

Liquor is only available at liquor stores and licensed drug stores. 

Connecticut: Are There Alcohol Sales on Sunday? 

There are no longer state-wide Sunday prohibitions, but local ordinances can restrict on-premises sales on Sunday. 

Delaware: When Can You Buy Alcohol? 

Large municipalities can set stricter hours. 

District of Columbia: What Time Does Alcohol Stop Selling? 

Florida: What Time Does Alcohol Stop Selling? 

State liquor laws in Florida prohibit selling hours (on- and off-premises) between 1am and 7am. 

However, counties can override this restriction. For example, in Miami-Dade County, liquor stores are allowed to be open 24/7. 

Georgia: Are There Alcohol Sales on Sundays? 

The only state-wide rule is that Sunday off-premises sales are disallowed from 12:30pm to 11:30pm by default – your local jurisdiction needs to opt-in to Sunday afternoon sales by referendum.  

Otherwise, liquor laws are set by local jurisdiction.  

Hawaii: Can You Buy Alcohol Right Now? 

Idaho: What Time Can You Buy Beer and Liquor? What Days Are Alcohol Sales Prohibited? 

State liquor law in Idaho allows liquor to be sold between 10am and 1am, but you can start buying beer and wine at 6am. 

Counties and cities can extend alcohol service until 2am. City and county ordinances can also restrict alcohol sales more severely than the state. 

Liquor can't be sold on Sundays or on Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Counties and cities can make exceptions, but no exceptions can be made for Christmas Day. 

Illinois: Can You Buy Alcohol Right Now? 

Most liquor laws are set by local jurisdiction.  

However, you can probably buy alcohol right now in a few counties. Cicero and Rock Island County have 24-hour bars. Cook County and Metro East have some 21- to 22-hour bars. 

Indiana: What Time Can You Buy Beer and Liquor? 

Iowa: What Time Are Alcohol Sales on Sunday? 

In Iowa, alcohol selling hours run from 9am to 2pm on Sunday. Every other weekday, it's 6am to 2am.  

Liquor is restricted to state-run stores. 

Kansas: Where and What Time Can You Buy Beer and Liquor? 

Kentucky: Largely Local Alcohol Sales Hours 

While Kentucky does have state liquor laws related to alcohol selling hours, there are so many exceptions that you'll need to check with your local jurisdiction. 

Louisiana: What Time Does Alcohol Stop Selling? 

Alcohol sales hours are set by local jurisdictions. 

In Cameron Parish and the metro areas of New Orleans and Lake Charles, bars are open 24 hours. However, those within the city limits of Lake Charles must close on Sundays. 

In Shreveport, bars stop selling alcohol at 6am downtown and 4am elsewhere. 

Most other municipalities stop on-premises service at 3am or earlier. 

Maine: When Can You Buy Alcohol? 

In Maine, you can buy alcohol between the hours of 5am and 1am every day.  

Maryland: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol on Sunday? 

Maryland's liquor laws are set by local jurisdictions, so it varies. 

Some jurisdictions prohibit Sunday alcohol sales, including some parts of Baltimore County and Garrett County. 

Massachusetts: When Can You Buy Alcohol? 

Individual cities and towns are allowed to restrict on-premises sales before 11am or after 11pm. 

Michigan: Can I Buy Alcohol Right Now? 

Local jurisdictions may restrict alcohol selling hours further on Sunday. 

Minnesota: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol? 

However, local jurisdictions can restrict off-premises sales hours further. 

Mississippi: Are Alcohol Sales on Sunday Allowed? 

Local jurisdictions typically dictate the alcohol sales/service hours in Mississippi. Generally speaking: 

However, coastal casinos can provide free alcohol 24/7. 

Missouri: What Time Does Alcohol Stop Selling? 

Liquor law in Missouri allows on- and off-premises sales from 6am to 1:30am every day of the year. 

Some bars and nightclubs with special licenses can serve until 3am with a special license, most of which are located in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Lake of the Ozarks. 

Montana: What Time Does Alcohol Stop Selling? 

Nebraska: What Time Does Alcohol Start Selling? 

On- and off-premises: 

Nevada: Can I Buy Alcohol Right Now? 

Unless you're in the township of Penaca (which is dry), alcohol sales are allowed any hour of the day, any day of the year.  

New Hampshire: Liquor Store Hours & More 

New Jersey: What Time Does Alcohol Stop Selling? 

Liquor laws are set by municipality, but in most jurisdictions: 

Atlantic City and some nearby municipalities serve alcohol 24/7. 

New Mexico: When Are Alcohol Sales on Sunday Allowed? 

New York: When Are Liquor Stores Open? When Do Bars Stop Serving? 

Many counties restrict hours further. Some restrict overnight sales or Sunday morning sales of beer. 

North Carolina: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol on Sundays? 

North Dakota: What Days Are Alcohol Sales Restricted? 

Ohio: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol? 

Every day of the year: 

Oklahoma: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol? 

Oregon: Alcohol Sales Hours 

You can buy alcohol in Oregon from 7am to 2:30am any day of the year, on- and off-premises. 

Pennsylvania: What Time Can You Buy Beer or Liquor? 

Rhode Island: When Do Bars Stop Selling Alcohol? What Are Liquor Store Hours? 

South Carolina: Where and What Time Can You Buy Alcohol? 

South Dakota: Can I Buy Alcohol Right Now? 

In South Dakota, alcohol selling hours run from 7am to 2am. 

Tennessee: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol on Sundays and Holidays? 

However, on-premises hours can be modified by local jurisdictions. 

Texas: Can I Buy Alcohol Right Now? 

If a holiday falls on a Sunday, liquor stores must remain closed on Monday. 

Utah: Where and What Time Can You Buy Alcohol? 

State liquor laws change frequently in Utah, and there are very specific laws about what kind of alcohol is allowed to be sold at each on-premises venue. Generally: 

Vermont: When Can You Buy Alcohol at Bars & Stores? 

Any day of the year: 

Virginia: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol on Sunday? 

There's no state law restricting alcohol sales on Sundays, but some Virginia jurisdictions do. 

Washington State: When Can You Buy Alcohol? 

In Washington State, you can buy alcohol from 6am to 2am on- or off-premises, unless your local government has further restricted sales. 

West Virginia: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol Now? 

West Virginia's alcohol selling hours changed recently. They're now: 

Wisconsin: What Time Can You Buy Liquor and Beer? 

Wyoming: What Time Can You Sell or Serve Alcohol? 

In Wyoming, you can buy alcohol between 6am and 2am.  

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