Lena Savoie
North Carolina has some unique rules about selling, buying and consuming alcohol. The state controls all of North Carolina's liquor stores, which are run by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, and these stores are closed on Sundays. Alcohol sales are only allowed Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Days and times alcohol can be sold | Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 2 am. On Sundays, alcohol can be sold from 10 am to 2 am. |
| Days and times alcohol can be consumed | Monday to Saturday from 7 am onwards. On Sundays, alcohol can be consumed from 10 am onwards. |
| Counties where alcohol sale is prohibited | Graham County in western North Carolina is the only county where the sale of alcohol is illegal. |
| Open containers in vehicles | Open containers of alcohol are not allowed in the passenger areas of vehicles, which include areas designed to seat the driver and passengers and any area within their reach, including the glove compartment. |
| Happy hours | North Carolina does not allow happy hours, where drinks are discounted for a specific period. However, food specials are allowed, and drink specials must last the whole day. |
| Bulk sales | Establishments can sell large-quantity alcoholic options to two or more patrons, such as margarita pitchers, bottles of wine, and beer buckets. |
| Alcohol sales on special days | Businesses can offer package deals that include alcoholic beverages on New Year's, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day. |
| Alcohol sales at grocery stores | Beer and wine are sold at grocery stores, but not liquor. |
| Alcohol sales at restaurants | Beer, wine, and liquor are available at restaurants from noon onwards. |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol sales timings vary by day of the week
North Carolina has some unique rules regarding the sale of alcohol. It is one of only four states that require liquor stores to be closed on Sundays. On the other days of the week, Monday through Saturday, alcohol sales are allowed from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
On Sundays, the sale of alcohol is permitted only after 10 a.m. thanks to the 2017 "Brunch Bill," which was signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper. Before that, the sale of alcohol on Sundays was not allowed until noon. The "Brunch Bill" also applies to grocery stores, convenience markets, private clubs, and any other places licensed to sell alcohol, in addition to restaurants.
It's important to note that North Carolina does not allow "happy hours," where drinks are discounted for a specific period. However, there is an exception to this rule on New Year's, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day, when businesses can offer package deals that include food, entertainment, and alcoholic beverages.
In terms of purchasing limits, a person without a permit may buy the following amounts at one time:
- Up to 80 liters of malt beverages
- Any amount of draft malt beverages
- Up to 50 liters of unfortified wine
- Up to 8 liters of fortified wine, spirituous liquor, or a combination of the two
It is also worth mentioning that Graham County in western North Carolina is the only "dry" county in the state, meaning the sale of alcohol is illegal there, with a few exceptions for certain resorts that have obtained special licenses.
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North Carolina's alcohol sales laws are unique
Another unique aspect of North Carolina's alcohol sales laws is the restriction on the days and times alcohol can be sold. From Monday to Saturday, alcohol can be sold from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., while on Sundays, sales are permitted from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Additionally, North Carolina has specific rules for the transportation of alcoholic beverages. Open containers, or alcoholic beverages with broken seals, are prohibited in the passenger areas of vehicles. These areas include the seats, glove compartment, and any area within the reach of the driver or passengers. However, alcohol can be transported in the trunk or the back of an SUV or station wagon.
The state also has a unique regulatory framework for alcohol sales, which brands must navigate effectively to succeed in the North Carolina market. This includes understanding entry paths, submission requirements, and the state-operated distribution model. North Carolina is a control state, and sales are overseen by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABC). ABC Stores, which are run by the state, are the exclusive sellers of liquor in the state. These stores have specific operating hours, closing no later than 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and remaining closed on Sundays.
Furthermore, North Carolina has unique rules regarding the sale of alcohol in Graham County, the only "dry" county in the state. In Graham County, the sale of alcohol is illegal, although some resorts have obtained special licenses to sell alcohol. Additionally, North Carolina has specific laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol by minors. It is illegal for retailers to sell or serve alcoholic beverages to individuals under the age of 21, and parents are prohibited from providing alcohol to their children under 21. These unique alcohol sales laws in North Carolina aim to regulate the consumption and distribution of alcoholic beverages, ensuring compliance with the state's guidelines.
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Liquor sales are restricted to ABC stores
North Carolina has some unique rules regarding the sale of alcohol. It is one of only four states that requires liquor stores to close on Sundays. The state also prohibits "happy hours", during which drinks are discounted for a specific period of time, and only four days a year can businesses offer package deals that include alcoholic beverages.
The hours of operation for ABC stores are typically Monday through Saturday from 7 am to 9 pm, and they are closed on Sundays. On Sundays, liquor can only be purchased after 10 am from a bar, restaurant, or other business licensed to serve liquor. Beer and wine can be purchased at grocery and convenience stores, but liquor is only sold at ABC stores or businesses with a specific permit.
The laws regarding alcohol sales in North Carolina can be complex, and it's important for both retailers and consumers to abide by them. For example, it is illegal for retailers to sell or serve alcoholic beverages to individuals under the age of 21, and parents are prohibited from providing alcohol to their children who are under the legal drinking age.
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Alcohol sales are controlled by the state
Alcohol sales in North Carolina are tightly controlled by the state, with a unique set of rules and regulations that businesses and consumers must follow. North Carolina is one of the few "control states" in the US, where the government controls the sale of liquor, including taxes, fees, pricing, and profits. The state-run Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission oversees all alcohol sales, which occur exclusively through locally operated ABC stores in all but one of the state's 100 counties.
The ABC Commission operates several hundred ABC stores, which are the only outlets where liquor can be purchased in North Carolina. Beer and wine, on the other hand, can be bought at grocery and convenience stores. However, even for these types of alcohol, there are strict regulations. For instance, North Carolina is one of eight states that prohibit "happy hours," where drinks are discounted for a specific period. Instead, if businesses want to offer drink specials, the discount must last the entire day.
The state also has specific rules for when alcohol can be sold. Monday through Saturday, alcohol sales are permitted from 7 am to 2 am. On Sundays, the sale of alcohol is only allowed after 10 am, a change implemented by the 2017 "Brunch Bill." This law also allowed restaurants to begin serving alcoholic beverages earlier on Sundays, a provision later expanded to include grocery stores, convenience markets, private clubs, and other licensed sellers.
North Carolina has other unique alcohol-related laws. For example, it is one of only four states that require liquor stores to close on Sundays, and Graham County in western North Carolina is the only "dry" county in the state, where the sale of alcohol is illegal. These laws highlight the state's control over alcohol sales and the importance of understanding the regulatory framework for beverage alcohol brands to succeed in this market.
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Alcohol sales are allowed in grocery stores
Alcohol sales are permitted in North Carolina grocery stores. Beer and wine can be purchased from grocery stores and supermarkets from 7 am until 2 am every day, including Sundays. This is a statewide law, so the same rules apply across all counties and cities in North Carolina. Strong liquor, however, is not available in grocery stores and can only be purchased from state-run Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) stores. These outlets are usually open from 9 am to 9 pm, Monday to Saturday, but some counties have different opening times, and a few are closed on Sundays.
The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (NC ABC) regulates and controls the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages in the state. The NC ABC has a monopoly on the wholesale distribution of spirits and directly sells to over 400 ABC stores across the state. Beer and wine, on the other hand, can be sold by private retailers, including grocery stores, and are not subject to the same restrictions.
North Carolina has strict laws regarding alcohol sales. Alcohol sales are prohibited on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday, and there are some local restrictions on sales during election days. It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under 21, and retailers must ask for ID from those appearing under 30. Retailers selling alcohol outside permitted hours or to minors face penalties, including fines and suspension of alcohol sales privileges.
Grocery stores in North Carolina can sell beer and wine but not spirits. Beer and wine are commonly found in supermarkets and convenience stores, with no restrictions on the number of containers purchased. Beer is sold by the bottle, can, or pack, while wine is available by the bottle or box. Beer typically has an ABV of around 5%, while wine ranges from 12% to 15%.
In summary, North Carolina grocery stores are allowed to sell alcohol, specifically beer and wine. Strong liquor sales are confined to ABC stores, and the state tightly regulates alcohol sales, imposing restrictions and penalties on retailers. These laws ensure responsible drinking and controlled distribution in North Carolina.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol can be purchased from Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Alcohol sales on Sundays are only allowed after 10 a.m. and must end by 2 a.m. on Monday.
Yes, North Carolina is one of four states that require liquor stores to close on Sundays. However, you can purchase liquor after 10 a.m. on Sundays from a bar, restaurant, or other business licensed to serve liquor.
Yes, Graham County in western North Carolina is the only county in the state where the sale of alcohol is illegal. However, some resorts in the area have obtained special licenses to sell alcohol.
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