Vivian Marlowe
Alcohol sales in Georgia are regulated by The Alcohol & Tobacco Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue. While the state government has implemented some alcohol policies, individual counties are allowed to set their own rules and regulations around alcohol sales. This has resulted in variations in the availability of alcohol across Georgia. While some counties are considered dry counties, meaning they prohibit alcohol sales entirely, others permit alcohol sales at specific times and locations. On New Year's Day, while bars and restaurants in many counties are prohibited from selling alcohol, a state law permits alcohol sales between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m. the following day, with additional time allowed for the early morning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol sales on New Year's Day | Alcohol sales are no longer prohibited on New Year's Day |
| Alcohol sales on Christmas Day | Prohibited in most counties and statewide |
| Alcohol sales on Thanksgiving Day | Prohibited |
| Alcohol sales on Memorial Day | Prohibited until noon |
| Alcohol sales on Sundays | Allowed since 2011, from 12:30 p.m. onwards |
| Alcohol sales hours | Monday to Saturday: 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.; Sunday: until 11:30 p.m. |
| Alcohol sales locations | Beer and wine: grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations; Liquor: licensed package stores |
| Dry counties | Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, Union, and White County (except Helen) |
| Open container policy | Allowed in public areas, but prohibited in motor vehicles |
| Alcohol delivery | Beer and wine: allowed from any licensed retailer; Spirits: only from liquor stores; Mixed drinks: only from restaurants |
| Alcohol tax | Varies by beverage type and origin |
| Alcohol licensing | Required for all businesses involved in manufacturing, distributing, selling, or importing alcohol |
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What You'll Learn
- Alcohol sales in Georgia are regulated at a federal level by the Federal Alcohol Administration Act
- At a state level, Georgia's alcohol sales are overseen by The Alcohol & Tobacco Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue
- Counties in Georgia can set their own rules and regulations around alcohol sales
- Dry counties in Georgia do not allow the retail sale of liquor
- Alcohol sales hours vary by jurisdiction, but state law sets the earliest and latest sales times
Alcohol sales in Georgia are regulated at a federal level by the Federal Alcohol Administration Act
While the FAA Act provides federal-level regulation, individual counties in Georgia are allowed to set the days and time frames for alcohol sales. Counties can restrict permitted alcohol sale hours but cannot allow retail sales outside of the specified times. For example, alcohol sales in Georgia are typically prohibited before 8 a.m. or after 11:45 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, with some counties prohibiting all alcohol sales on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day. However, there are exceptions to these rules, as some counties may allow sales outside these hours, and special legislation may extend the hours during which alcohol can be sold on certain holidays.
The state of Georgia also has specific regulations for different types of alcohol. Distilled spirits can only be purchased at licensed package stores, while beer and wine can be purchased at convenience and grocery stores. Additionally, gas stations in Georgia sell beer and wine but do not sell liquor. The state also has an open container policy, which allows individuals to stroll along in public areas with an open container of alcohol, as long as it is not in a motor vehicle.
To comply with federal and state regulations, all alcohol products sold in Georgia must have a label registration approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue. Businesses dealing with manufacturing, distributing, selling, or importing alcohol in Georgia must also obtain the necessary licenses. This includes local alcohol licenses, which are issued by the local city or county government, and state-issued licenses, such as the Distilled Spirits Manufacturer's License, which is issued by the Georgia Department of Revenue.
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At a state level, Georgia's alcohol sales are overseen by The Alcohol & Tobacco Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue
In Georgia, the sale of alcohol is overseen by The Alcohol & Tobacco Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue. This agency is responsible for licensing, tax collection, auditing, fee collection, and enforcing the state's laws and regulations.
The Alcohol & Tobacco Division regulates all tiers of alcohol production and sale, including manufacturers (such as breweries, wineries, and distilleries), distributors, and retailers. All businesses dealing with alcohol in Georgia must be licensed by the state. There are various types of licenses available, depending on the type of business and the specific activities it engages in. For example, a Distillery Retail License allows a distillery to sell spirits directly to consumers, while a Tourist Bottle Sales Permit enables the sale of spirits to visitors as part of a tour.
While the state has overarching authority, Georgia is one of several states that allow individual counties to create their own rules and regulations around alcohol sales. Counties can restrict the days and hours during which alcohol can be sold. For example, some counties do not allow alcohol sales on Sundays or on holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day. In addition, some counties are considered "dry," meaning they prohibit the retail sale of liquor entirely.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the state government made some temporary and permanent changes to alcohol policies to support the hospitality industry. For instance, a law was passed to allow restaurants to sell cocktails for takeout and delivery, and another allowing licensed retailers to sell alcohol on Sundays from 12:30 pm.
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Counties in Georgia can set their own rules and regulations around alcohol sales
In Georgia, the sale of alcohol is governed by a combination of federal, state, and county-level regulations. While federal and state laws provide an overarching framework, individual counties play a significant role in shaping the rules and regulations around alcohol sales in their respective jurisdictions.
At the federal level, the Federal Alcohol Administration Act regulates the sale of alcohol across all US states. Within Georgia, the Alcohol & Tobacco Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue is responsible for overseeing the alcohol industry. This division handles licensing, tax collection and auditing, fee collection, and enforcing state laws and regulations.
However, the unique aspect of Georgia's alcohol landscape is the significant influence that counties have on shaping alcohol sales policies. Counties in Georgia are allowed to create their own rules and regulations, leading to variations in alcohol sales practices across the state. This local control over alcohol sales extends to the smallest municipalities, resulting in inconsistencies in the rules from one county to another.
The authority granted to counties enables them to set the days and time frames for alcohol sales within their jurisdictions. While counties must adhere to certain statewide restrictions, such as not permitting sales before 8 a.m. or after 11:45 p.m. from Monday through Saturday, they can further restrict these hours. For example, some counties may prohibit all alcohol sales on specific holidays like Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day.
Additionally, counties have the power to determine the types of establishments that can sell alcohol. While distilled spirits can only be purchased at licensed package stores across Georgia, counties decide which retail establishments, such as grocery stores, convenience stores, or gas stations, can sell beer and wine. This discretion at the county level means that residents in one county may have access to alcohol sales in more locations or during extended hours compared to residents in another county.
The ability of counties to set their own rules and regulations around alcohol sales in Georgia has resulted in a diverse landscape of alcohol policies across the state. While some counties may have more restrictive approaches, others may offer greater flexibility, reflecting the local preferences and priorities of their communities.
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Dry counties in Georgia do not allow the retail sale of liquor
In Georgia, the sale of alcohol is regulated by the Alcohol & Tobacco Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue. While the state has a set of laws regarding alcohol sales, individual counties are allowed to set their own rules and regulations. This includes the days and time frames for sales, which may not occur before 8 a.m. or after 11:45 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
Some counties in Georgia are considered "dry counties," meaning they prohibit the retail sale of liquor. Coweta, Dodge, Franklin, Decatur, and Murray are examples of such counties, where alcohol sales are not permitted. However, it is important to note that consumers can legally drink alcohol in these counties, and there may be exceptions for certain types of alcohol, such as beer and wine.
While there are no more fully dry counties in Georgia, there are still some that are considered "moist," allowing for limited alcohol sales. These include Bleckley, Dodge, Effingham, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, Union, and Upson counties. The specific regulations regarding alcohol sales in these counties may vary, and it is always a good idea to check the local laws before purchasing or consuming alcohol in any area.
The regulations regarding alcohol sales in Georgia have evolved over time, with changes made during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the restaurant industry. Additionally, until 2011, alcohol could not be purchased in Georgia on Sundays, but this restriction has since been lifted, and alcohol sales are now permitted on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. onwards.
It is worth noting that Georgia has some unique alcohol-related laws. For example, it is illegal to make your own alcohol, be intoxicated in public, or buy alcohol in an adult bookstore. Additionally, there are restrictions on the sale of "distilled spirits" within a certain distance of churches and schools.
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Alcohol sales hours vary by jurisdiction, but state law sets the earliest and latest sales times
Georgia is one of the largest beverage alcohol markets in the southern United States. In 2023, there were 8.2 million 9-litre cases of spirits sold, along with 7.3 million cases of wine. The latest number for beer sales, from 2022, show nearly 79 million cases sold.
The state's alcohol laws can vary widely, with individual counties empowered to create their own rules and regulations around alcohol sales. For example, Coweta, Dodge, Franklin, Decatur, and Murray are considered dry counties, meaning they don't allow the retail sale of liquor. However, consumers can legally drink alcohol in these counties. On the other hand, Butts and Decatur counties prohibit alcohol sales for on-site consumption but allow sales for off-site consumption.
While the state law sets the earliest and latest sales times, individual jurisdictions can restrict the sales hours further. From Monday to Saturday, alcohol sales in Georgia can't begin earlier than 8 a.m. and must end by 11:45 p.m. for gas stations, grocery stores, liquor stores, breweries, and taprooms. On Sundays, these off-premises retailers can sell alcohol from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Bars and restaurants have slightly different rules, with some jurisdictions allowing alcohol service to begin at 11 a.m. on Sundays, a rule known as the "brunch law". Every day of the week, bars and restaurants can't start selling alcohol before 9 a.m. and must stop by 2 a.m.
There are some exceptions to these rules. For example, Atlanta allows 24-hour alcohol sales from Monday to Saturday and from 11 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. Additionally, special legislation permits bars and restaurants to sell alcohol until 2:30 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day, New Year's Eve, July 3rd and 4th, and the Sunday before Memorial and Labor Day. Conversely, many counties ban all alcohol sales on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the state government made some statewide changes to alcohol policies to support struggling restaurants. In May 2021, a bill was signed into law permanently allowing restaurants to sell to-go cocktails with a meal, with a limit of two alcoholic beverages per entree. These drinks must be placed in the glove compartment or trunk of the customer's car during transport.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol sales are no longer prohibited on New Year's Day in Georgia. However, many counties prohibit all alcohol sales on New Year's Day.
Alcohol sales hours vary by jurisdiction, but state law sets the earliest and latest sales times. From Monday to Saturday, alcohol sales in Georgia can't begin earlier than 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. and can't end later than 11:45 p.m. or midnight. On Sundays, alcohol sales typically start at 12:30 p.m. and end at 11:30 p.m.
Yes, there are several dry counties in Georgia, meaning they don't allow the retail sale of liquor. These include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, and Union counties.
Yes, beer and wine can be purchased at grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations. However, liquor is restricted to specially permitted package stores.
Yes, Georgia has an open container policy, which means you can have an open container of alcohol in public areas. However, it is illegal to consume alcohol in motor vehicles.
