Texas Beer Sales Up on Sundays
A few years ago, stores like Tom Thumb and Albertsons pushed to change Texas alcohol laws so they could sell beer and wine on Sunday mornings. They claim sales are up since that law was changed.
On-premises service starts at 7am Monday through Saturday. If the establishment has a late hours permit, they can serve until 2am on any night of the week.
Liquor Store Hours
As you may be aware, Texas is one of the few states that does not allow its liquor stores to open on Sundays. Instead, they must close on Sundays as well as certain holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Grocery and convenience stores, however, are allowed to sell beer and wine that has a alcohol content of less than 17% on any day except Sunday.
The same rules apply to bars and restaurants that serve on-premises consumption, with the exception of some that can start selling alcohol at 10 am on Sunday and others that can stay open until 2 am any night if they have a late hours permit. During the 87th legislative session, two bills were filed to change these rules, but they did not pass.
There are many types of TABC licenses and permits that determine who, where and when retailers can sell or serve alcoholic beverages, from distributing to temporary events. Having the right permits is important to ensure that your business complies with all applicable laws and regulations.
Can You Buy Alcohol 24 Hours a Day?
Many Texans who are new to the state or even those who have lived here for years may be confused about when they can buy alcohol. In Texas, you can purchase beer and wine in grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and liquor stores. You can also find hard liquor like vodka and tequila in some places.
Alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays in Texas. However, you can purchase alcohol in bars and restaurants if they have a permit to serve it. You can also find alcohol at breweries and taprooms, where you can have a more immersive experience with your favorite drinks.
In addition, you can buy alcohol at hotels that have a restaurant license. The laws regarding on-premises consumption vary by county. You can drink at certain venues with a special event permit, such as a live sporting event, festival, fair, or concert. You can also find alcohol at some food trucks and trailer parks with a liquor license.
Can You Buy Beer on Sunday in Texas?
The state of Texas has long had strict alcohol laws, commonly known as “Blue Laws.” While those laws have been relaxed in recent years due to demand for locally brewed beer (and ready-to-drink cocktails) from breweries such as Dallas’ RancH2O and Fort Worth’s TX Whiskey distillery, the restrictions remain in place.
In 2021, Texas lawmakers passed a law that allows grocery and convenience stores to sell beer starting at 10 a.m. Sunday instead of waiting until noon. However, liquor sales are still prohibited on Sundays and federal holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
The state of Texas is also split into wet and dry counties, with some counties only allowing alcohol to be sold in bars, restaurants and events. These county-level regulations are based on religious and cultural beliefs and are enforced by local governments. Some counties are also partially wet, which means they allow the sale of beer and wine but not liquor.
Can You Buy Liquor on Holidays?
After the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition, states took charge of regulating alcohol. In Texas, certain counties remain “dry” – meaning it’s illegal to buy or sell any alcohol. The rest are either “partially wet” or “wet,” allowing the sale of beer, wine, and liquor.
In general, grocery and convenience stores are allowed to sell beer and wine from 7 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday. However, they’re required to close on Sundays and holidays like Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Liquor stores, also known as package stores, are not permitted to sell alcohol on Sundays or holidays. They’re also required to close on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, if those days fall on the same day as the store. However, a law passed in 2021 allows them to open Sundays from 10 a.m. until noon. That’s an hour more than what they were legally allowed to sell before the law was changed.