New Year's Day Alcohol Sales: What's Open?

Whether you can buy alcohol on New Year's Day depends on the laws of your state or country. Some states in the US, such as Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Mississippi, ban the sale of alcohol on New Year's Day. On the other hand, some states like New Hampshire and New Mexico have no official holiday bans on alcohol sales but may have limited hours of operation or close early on New Year's Eve. Additionally, some states only prohibit the sale of specific types of alcohol or have different rules for on-site consumption versus off-site purchases. Therefore, it is essential to check the specific regulations in your state or country to determine if alcohol sales are permitted on New Year's Day.

Texas liquor stores are closed on New Year's Day

The sale of alcohol in Texas is restricted by two criteria: the type of alcohol and whether it is consumed on-site or off-premises. Any drink with more than 4% alcohol is considered "liquor" and is subject to greater restrictions. While supermarkets, grocery stores, and convenience stores can sell beer and wine from 10 a.m. to midnight, and some bars in big cities may stay open until 2 a.m. on New Year's Day, liquor stores must remain closed.

These laws, also known as "blue laws", were intended to promote the observance of a day of rest. While there have been recent attempts to modify these laws, Texas liquor stores continue to be closed on New Year's Day, creating a 61-hour period where Texans are prohibited from purchasing liquor.

It is important to note that Texas has unique laws regarding alcohol sales, and it is always a good idea to plan ahead and stock up early if you intend to celebrate the new year with alcoholic beverages in the state.

Mississippi allows on-site alcohol sales until 1 am on New Year's Day

Mississippi's liquor laws can be confusing, especially for those new to the state. The state has a complicated system of regulations for different types of alcoholic beverages, with varying rules for beer, wine, and spirits.

In Mississippi, beer and light wine are sold at grocery and convenience stores, while wine and distilled spirits with more than 5% ABV are sold in liquor stores. These liquor stores are typically open from 10 am to 10 pm, Monday through Saturday, and are closed on Sundays and Christmas Day. On-premise alcohol sales are allowed from 7 am to midnight, seven days a week, at restaurants, bars, clubs, and hotels. However, local authorities in many counties fix the hours of alcohol sales.

While Mississippi's blue laws restrict sales on Sundays and Christmas Day, there are no such restrictions on New Year's Day in most places. In fact, Mississippi's laws are quite accommodating for New Year's Eve celebrations. Places with on-site consumption permits in resort areas are exempt from the usual hours-of-operation restrictions. On New Year's Eve, all on-premises permittees across the state may remain open until 1 am on New Year's Day, an hour later than normal. If New Year's Eve falls on a Sunday, they can open from 1 pm to 1 am.

It is worth noting that package stores are not allowed to sell beer, light wine, or spirits. Beer with more than 8% alcohol by weight is banned in Mississippi, and convenience and grocery stores cannot sell wine with more than 5% alcohol or distilled spirits with over 6%. Additionally, Mississippi has a high number of dry counties, with 34 out of 82 counties completely dry for hard liquor sales, and 36 counties dry for beer and light wine sales.

Texas bans the sale and serving of liquor over 17% ABV on Sundays

Texas has some unique laws regarding the sale of alcohol, which can be confusing for those who are new to the state. Texas's liquor laws are mostly complicated because they have been in place for a long time, are regulated at multiple levels, and deal with large, complex industries.

One of these laws is the ban on the sale of liquor over 17% ABV on Sundays. This includes wine-only package stores, which must adhere to the same hours of sale as liquor stores on Sundays. Liquor stores are required to be closed on Sundays, partly due to Texas's Blue Laws, which are alcohol bans that date back to 1935, two years after the end of federal Prohibition.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and wine from 10 am to midnight on Sundays. Additionally, bars and restaurants can serve alcohol from 10 am to noon on Sundays, as long as it is paired with food. If food is not ordered, alcohol-only sales can begin at noon. Hotel bars can serve registered guests alcohol at any time of day, and wineries can operate from 10 am to midnight on Sundays. Furthermore, licensed or permitted premises located at a festival, fair, or concert may sell alcoholic beverages between 10 am and noon on Sundays.

Texas's alcohol laws have been evolving to meet the needs and sensibilities of Texans, and there have been efforts to modify or eliminate archaic rules regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol.

Virginia is a control state where retail spirit sales are limited to state-run stores

Alcohol sales laws vary across the United States, with some states having more restrictive laws than others. Virginia is one of 17 control states, which means that the state government regulates how distilled spirits are sold. The state closely monitors alcohol sales and maintains control over hard liquor sales, allowing them to protect public safety and collect funds to support the state.

In Virginia, the Bureau of Law Enforcement ensures that adults consume alcohol responsibly and safely in a controlled environment. Retail spirit sales are limited to state-run Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) stores, which are open from 7 am to 2 pm every day. These stores sell spirits, while other retailers, such as gas stations, are permitted to sell wine and beer. On-premise locations, including restaurants and clubs serving food and drinks, can sell alcohol from 6 am to 2 am daily.

Virginia's alcohol laws have evolved over time, and some changes were made during the COVID-19 pandemic to support businesses. Licensed merchants were allowed to sell to-go cocktails, and businesses without a delivery permit could sell beer and wine for off-site consumption. The state also extended permits for outdoor special events to sell alcohol for longer.

Virginia's alcohol laws can be a source of frustration for some, who view the restrictions as inconvenient and unnecessary. The state's ABC stores generate significant revenue, which funds various state-provided services. While some may advocate for more relaxed laws, Virginia's control state status and associated regulations are likely to remain in place, with the state prioritizing public safety and revenue generation.

Utah sells retail alcohol over 4% ABV exclusively in state-run stores

The sale of alcohol on New Year's Day depends on the state and local laws. While some states ban the sale of alcohol on New Year's Day, others allow it with limited hours. For example, liquor stores in Texas are closed on New Year's Day, while in New Hampshire, state-run stores may have limited hours of operation on New Year's Eve but are closed on New Year's Day.

Utah is one of the states with unique liquor laws. The state has a complex and restrictive relationship with alcohol, and its laws can be confusing to both visitors and residents. Utah is one of seventeen control states, meaning it has a monopoly over the wholesale and/or retail of some or all alcoholic beverages. The state has controlled the liquor industry (except 4% beer) through state-run liquor store outlets since 1935.

Utah's laws restrict supermarkets to selling packaged beer with up to 5.0% ABV (or 4.0% alcohol by weight). Beer with a higher ABV than this, as well as liquor and wine, can only be sold at state-controlled liquor stores. These state-run liquor stores are closed on Sundays and holidays, including New Year's Day.

However, there is a loophole in Utah's state law that allows some distilleries, breweries, and wineries to sell takeaway alcohol directly to consumers seven days a week, even on Sundays and holidays. Restaurants in Utah can also apply for a license to sell and serve liquor, wine, flavored malt beverages, and heavy beer (over 4.0%). However, they are restricted in how and when they can serve alcohol, and they must follow the ""intent to dine" law, which requires customers to order food with their drinks.

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