Lena Savoie
Alcohol sales in Ohio have changed over the years, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing particular upheaval to the industry. In 2020, Ohio residents bought 16.75 million gallons of alcohol, a notable increase from previous years. In Ohio, alcohol sales are overseen by The Division of Liquor Control, which controls all aspects of alcohol manufacturing, distribution, regulation, licensing, and merchandising. So, what time of morning do alcohol sales begin in the state?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol sales start time | 5:30 a.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. on weekends |
| Alcohol sales end time | 2:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday |
| Sunday sales | With a special permit, alcohol may be sold from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. |
| Alcohol sales during COVID-19 | A curfew was imposed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. |
| Alcohol sales after COVID-19 | All restrictions were lifted on February 11, 2021 |
| Alcohol sales at sports arenas | Alcohol can be sold starting at 11:00 a.m. |
| Legal drinking age | 21 |
| Legal serving age | 19 for beer and spirits, 21 for wine and other alcoholic beverages |
| Liquor control | Ohio is a "control" state, with the sale of distilled spirits controlled by the local government |
| Alcohol permits | The state regulates the number of alcohol permits |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol sales times in Ohio vary by day of the week
Historically, alcohol sales were prohibited in Ohio on Sundays. In more recent years, sales have been allowed after 1:00 pm, with the assumption that most church services would be over by then. In 2000, a law was passed allowing alcohol to be sold at sports arenas from 11:00 am.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol sales in Ohio were impacted by mandatory curfews and restrictions on in-person dining. From November 2020, a curfew was imposed from 11 pm to 5 am, with all restrictions lifted by February 11, 2021.
In Ohio, beer, wine, and liquor are available for purchase at grocery stores and other retail locations. However, the state regulates the number of alcohol permits. Alcohol sales are overseen by the Division of Liquor Control, which manages manufacturing, distribution, regulation, licensing, and merchandising.
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Alcohol sales times vary by location in Ohio
Currently, in Ohio, beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased at grocery stores and other retail locations. Alcohol sales are overseen by the Division of Liquor Control, which controls manufacturing, distribution, regulation, licensing, and merchandising. While the state regulates the number of alcohol permits, the sale of beer and wine is regulated to ensure no monopoly occurs.
Generally, businesses can sell alcohol between 5:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, sales depend on the location, and with a special permit, alcohol may be sold from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. However, one source mentions that on Sundays, beer can be sold as soon as a store opens, but wine or hard liquor cannot be sold until 11:00 a.m.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, alcohol sales in Ohio were impacted by mandatory curfews and restrictions on in-person dining. A curfew was implemented from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., causing a shift from bars and restaurants to individuals. On February 11, 2021, all restrictions were lifted, and alcohol sales returned to normal.
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Alcohol sales in Ohio during COVID-19
Alcohol sales in Ohio, as in the rest of the United States, were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. During the early months of the pandemic in 2020, retail alcohol sales increased while sales in bars and restaurants decreased. This trend continued throughout the pandemic, with retail sales in September 2020 being 17% above pre-pandemic levels, while sales in bars and restaurants were 15% below.
During this time, Ohio implemented a COVID-19 curfew on alcohol sales, prohibiting bars and restaurants from selling alcohol past 10 pm and requiring onsite consumption to end by 11 pm. These measures were put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, as the virus was spreading in bars and restaurants, particularly during large gatherings.
Data from the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Addiction (NIAAA) showed that alcohol sales per capita in Ohio in 2020 and 2021 were higher than in the previous three years. The increase in sales was primarily due to spirits, with wine sales also contributing to the overall increase. Beer sales declined in most months.
While the increase in sales may indicate increased drinking at home, researchers cautioned that it did not necessarily mean an increase in consumption. It could also be attributed to stockpiling, as was seen with other goods such as toilet paper during the early months of the pandemic.
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Ohio's Blue Laws
Blue laws, also known as Sunday laws or Sunday closing laws, are laws that restrict or ban certain activities on specified days, usually Sundays. These laws are designed to promote a day of rest and are based on Christian traditions. While many blue laws have been repealed or struck down by courts in the United States, some states and counties continue to enforce them, including Ohio.
Ohio has a long history with blue laws, dating back to its formation in 1803. Lawmakers enacted a series of blue laws that prohibited various activities on Sundays, including "sporting, gambling, rioting, quarreling, hunting, horse racing, shooting, or common labors". In the mid-1800s, with the rise of baseball's popularity, it too was added to the list of prohibited Sunday activities. The Ohio Supreme Court upheld these laws in 1834 and again in 1898, ruling that they did not interfere with religious worship.
The enforcement of blue laws in Ohio varied from town to town, with some areas enforcing them strictly while others had minimal enforcement. In the 1960s, blue laws began to be challenged in courts across the country, and many states, including Ohio, started to repeal or amend them. In 1962, the Lawson Milk Company led an effort to legalize Sunday sales in Ohio, gathering nearly 350,000 signatures for a proposed amendment to the state constitution. Despite opposition from religious and labour groups, the amendment passed with a majority vote.
However, it wasn't until the early 1970s that Ohio's blue laws were nearly forgotten, and the state legislature formally repealed the Sunday closing laws. While Ohio no longer has statewide blue laws restricting Sunday sales, some local communities may still have their own regulations. Additionally, blue laws related to alcohol sales and consumption may have specific requirements, so it is essential for businesses to stay compliant with current laws and regulations.
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Ohio's three-tier alcohol distribution system
In Ohio, alcohol sales can begin as early as 6:00 a.m. on weekdays and 6:00 a.m. on weekends, except on Sundays, when beer can be sold as soon as retailers open, but wine and hard liquor sales are restricted until 11:00 a.m.
Ohio, like other states in the US, has a three-tier alcohol distribution system. This system was established after the repeal of Prohibition to prevent unfair practices and provide a balance between control and access to alcohol, a potentially harmful but socially significant product.
The three tiers are:
Tier 1: Manufacturers
This tier consists of the producers or manufacturers of alcoholic beverages, including spirits, wine, and beer. They sell their products to licensed importers, distributors, and control boards.
Tier 2: Importers, Distributors, and Control Boards
These are the independent distributors or wholesalers that act as a buffer between manufacturers and retailers. They purchase alcoholic beverages from manufacturers and sell them to licensed retailers. This tier helps prevent dangerous practices, provides a variety of consumer choices, and ensures the safe distribution of alcohol.
Tier 3: Retailers
Licensed retailers, such as liquor stores, bars, or restaurants, are the final tier in the three-tier system. They purchase alcoholic beverages from importers, distributors, or control boards and sell them directly to consumers. Retailers are responsible for ensuring that alcohol is sold only to individuals of legal drinking age.
The three-tier system provides a framework for regulating the distribution and sale of alcohol in Ohio and the United States. It allows for "checks and balances" by separating the roles of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, preventing any single entity from dominating the market and ensuring compliance with alcohol taxation and public safety regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol sales in Ohio can begin as early as 5:30 a.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. on weekends.
Alcohol sales end at 2:30 a.m. from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, alcohol sales depend on the location but may be sold from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a special permit.
Yes, Ohio is one of seventeen "control" states, which means the sale of distilled spirits is controlled by the local government. Additionally, individuals must be at least 21 years old to purchase alcohol, and establishments may require staff to have an Ohio bartending license.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted alcohol sales in Ohio, with mandatory curfews and restrictions on in-person dining. In November 2020, a curfew was imposed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., affecting alcohol sales in the early morning.
