Noah Vinter
Texas has strict laws regarding the sale of alcohol, especially on Sundays. These laws, known as blue laws, are based on religious principles and are intended to enforce moral standards by restricting certain activities on Sundays. Texas' blue laws prohibit the sale of liquor on Sundays and restrict the hours that beer and wine can be sold. The specific hours of sale may vary by city or county, and there are even “dry counties” where alcohol sales are banned. San Antonio, Texas, has its own set of regulations and hours for alcohol sales, which are important to be aware of, especially when planning events or stocking up for personal consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legal drinking age in Texas | 21 |
| Texas' liquor stores open on Sundays | No |
| Texas' liquor stores open on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day | No |
| Beer and wine sales on Monday through Friday | 7 a.m. to midnight |
| Beer and wine sales on Saturday | 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday morning |
| Beer and wine sales on Sunday | 10 a.m. to midnight |
| Liquor sales on Monday through Saturday | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Liquor sales on Sunday | Not allowed |
| Alcohol service on Sunday at bars or restaurants | After 10 a.m. with food, after noon without food |
| Alcohol service at live events at sports venues, festivals, fairs, or concerts on Sunday | After 10 a.m. regardless of food service |
| Bars or restaurants with a "late hours" permit | Can serve alcohol until 2 a.m. any day of the week |
| Wineries' alcohol service hours | 8 a.m. to midnight on Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays |
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What You'll Learn
Beer and wine sales
Texas has strict laws regarding the sale of beer and wine. These laws vary depending on the type of beverage, the day of the week, and the location of purchase.
Monday to Friday
Beer and wine can be sold from 7 am to midnight on weekdays (Monday to Friday). These sales are limited to grocery and convenience stores, as liquor stores must close by 9 pm.
Saturday
On Saturdays, beer and wine sales are extended in some locations. Sales are permitted from 7 am to 1 am on Sunday morning.
Sunday
It's worth noting that Texas has 28 "dry counties" that prohibit alcohol sales altogether, and specific hours can vary by city or county. Additionally, wineries have different operating hours, serving alcohol from 8 am to midnight, Monday through Saturday, and 10 am to midnight on Sundays.
The legal drinking age in Texas is 21, and minors may legally consume alcohol only under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or spouse who is 21 or older.
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Liquor sales
Texas has strict laws regarding the sale of liquor, which vary depending on the type of alcohol and the day of the week. These laws are known as "blue laws", which are based on religious principles and intended to enforce moral standards. Texas is one of 28 states that still maintains these laws.
In Texas, beer and wine can be sold from 7 am to midnight, Monday through Friday. On Saturday, most retail stores stop selling at 1 am on Sunday morning. On Sundays, beer and wine can be purchased from 10 am to midnight.
Texas's liquor stores must close on Sundays and major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the store will remain closed the following Monday. On the other days of the week, liquor can be sold from 10 am to 9 pm.
The hours during which alcohol can be sold in Texas vary depending on the type of alcohol and whether it is served for on-premise consumption (restaurants, bars) or off-premise consumption (grocery stores). Certain bars or restaurants with a "'late hours' permit" may serve alcohol until 2 am any night of the week.
In addition, Texas law prohibits the consumption of alcohol in public places during certain hours on Sundays and other days. It is also illegal to possess alcohol with the intent to consume it during these hours.
It is important to note that Texas has four "dry counties" that do not allow alcohol sales at all.
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Sunday sales
Texas has strict rules about when and where alcohol, especially liquor, can be sold on Sundays. Texas is one of 28 states that maintain "blue laws", which regulate entertainment and commercial activities on Sundays or religious holidays. These laws were originally designed to protect Sunday as a day of worship and encourage church attendance by limiting commercial and secular activities.
On Sundays, grocery and convenience stores in Texas can sell beer and wine from 10 am to midnight. However, liquor sales are prohibited in stores on Sundays, and liquor stores must remain closed. Bars and restaurants that serve food and alcohol are not allowed to serve alcohol until 10 am, and those that only serve alcohol cannot begin serving until noon.
There are some exceptions to these rules. For example, during live events at sports venues, festivals, fairs, or concerts, alcohol service can begin at 10 am on Sundays, regardless of whether food is served. Additionally, certain bars or restaurants in the state can serve alcohol until 2 am any night of the week if they have a "late hours" permit.
It is worth noting that Texas's alcohol laws vary by city, county, and type of alcohol, so it is always a good idea to check the specific regulations for the area and beverage in question.
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Alcohol consumption in public
Texas has strict laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol, especially on Sundays. These are called "blue laws" and they aim to regulate entertainment and commercial activities on Sundays and religious holidays. The term originates from laws enacted by England through the American colonies to protect the Christian Sabbath as mandated by the Fourth Commandment. Texas is one of 28 states that still maintains these laws.
In Texas, it is illegal to consume alcohol in public on Sundays between 1:15 am and 12 noon and on any other day between 12:15 am and 7 am. These timings are for standard hours areas. In extended hours areas, the prohibited timings are between 2:15 am and 12 noon on Sundays and 2:15 am and 7 am on any other day.
The legal drinking age in Texas is 21, which is the same as the federal law. However, minors may legally consume alcohol if they are in the presence of a parent, legal guardian, or spouse who is 21 or older.
There are also dry counties in Texas, which are counties that do not allow alcohol sales at all. There are four such counties in the state.
Texas has specific laws regarding the sale and consumption of different types of alcoholic beverages, including liquor, mixed beverages, malt beverages, and wine. These laws outline the hours of sale and consumption, with some variations depending on the day of the week and the location.
For example, beer and wine can be sold from 7 am to midnight Monday through Friday, 7 am to 1 am on Saturday, and 10 am to midnight on Sunday. Liquor stores must close at 9 pm and are not allowed to operate on Sundays and major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Bars and restaurants may serve alcoholic beverages after noon on Sundays, and certain bars and restaurants with a "'late hours' permit" can serve alcohol until 2 am any day of the week. Hotel bars can serve hotel guests at any time.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas legalized alcohol to-go, allowing bars and restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption off-site. This change has remained in place and increased the sales of alcoholic beverages in the state.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code also has provisions regarding the distance between alcohol-selling locations and schools or churches. City councils or county commissioners can adopt ordinances prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages within 300 feet of these institutions.
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Alcohol sales in bars and restaurants
Texas's alcohol laws vary depending on the type of alcohol being sold, the day of the week, and the type of license the seller has. In San Antonio, Texas, the sale of packaged liquor is prohibited on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Packaged beer and wine may be sold between noon and midnight on Sundays, between 7:00 a.m. and midnight on Mondays through Fridays, and between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. on Saturdays.
Alcoholic beverages may be served in bars and restaurants between noon and 2:00 a.m. on Sundays and between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. on Mondays through Saturdays. However, on Sundays, bars and restaurants with food and alcohol service are not allowed to serve alcohol until 10:00 a.m., with alcohol-only service barred from beginning until noon. Certain restaurants may serve alcoholic beverages with meals beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays, a time known as Sunday Brunch.
Texas's blue laws prohibit specific activities on Sundays for religious reasons. They were initially intended to encourage rest and worship. These laws restrict business operations or limit recreational activities on Sundays and religious holidays. Texas's blue laws have been gradually phased out, but the Sunday ban on liquor sales has remained.
Some other regulations regarding alcohol sales in bars and restaurants in Texas include:
- It is illegal to take any alcoholic beverage into a restaurant or bar that has a Private Club Permit or Mixed Beverage Permit unless it is a malt beverage produced by a brewpub, an open or unopened bottle of wine bought with a meal, or a to-go order.
- It is legal to take alcoholic beverages into or out of a restaurant or bar permitted to sell only beer and wine, with no distilled spirits, or an establishment without a license to sell alcohol.
- Businesses may have their own rules against bringing outside alcohol onto their premises, and they are allowed to charge a "corkage fee" for this service.
- Bars may sell "set ups," or cups of ice or soda that the customer buys and mixes with their own distilled spirits.
- Alcoholic beverages may be served at live events at sports venues, festivals, fairs, or concerts beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays.
- Certain bars or restaurants in the state can serve alcohol until 2:00 a.m. any night of the week with a "late hours" permit.
- Hotel bars can serve hotel guests alcohol at any time of day.
- Wineries may serve alcohol from 8:00 a.m. to midnight on Mondays through Saturdays and from 10:00 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.
- Licensed or permitted vendors at sports venues, festivals, fairs, and concert venues can sell alcohol on-premises during the following hours: Mondays through Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Sundays, and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to midnight.
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Frequently asked questions
Beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased from 10 am to 9 pm from Monday to Saturday.
Beer and wine can be purchased from 10 am to midnight on Sundays. However, liquor sales are prohibited on Sundays.
Yes, liquor stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If Christmas Day or New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the stores will remain closed the following Monday.
Yes, Texas has "'blue laws' that restrict the sale of alcohol on Sundays and other religious holidays. These laws are based on historical practices and religious principles.
It is illegal to consume alcohol in a public place in Texas on Sundays between 1:15 am and 12 noon and on any other day between 12:15 am and 7 am.
