Theo Nash
North Carolina is known for its strict alcohol laws, with ABC stores, where liquor is sold, closed on Sundays. However, in 2017, the city of Charlotte approved early Sunday alcohol sales, allowing alcohol to be sold from 10 am instead of noon. This change was implemented to boost sales for restaurants and retail and grocery stores. In 2021, a bill was passed that allowed the purchase of liquor in closed containers on Sundays from distilleries. This bill, known as the Brunch Bill, has loosened the restrictions on alcohol sales in the Bible Belt state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When do Sunday alcohol sales start in Charlotte? | 10 am |
| Which bill allowed this? | The "Brunch Bill" |
| When was the bill passed? | 2017 |
| Who passed the bill? | Gov. Roy Cooper |
| What does the bill do? | Allows restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages to customers on Sundays starting at 10 am |
| What was the previous law? | The sale of alcohol wasn't allowed before noon on Sundays |
| What other changes were made to the bill? | A later addition to the bill expanded the provision to include grocery stores, convenience markets, private clubs, and any other place licensed to sell alcohol |
| Can liquor be purchased on Sundays? | Yes, but only from a distillery as ABC stores are closed on Sundays |
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What You'll Learn
- The 2017 Brunch Bill allows alcohol sales from 10 am on Sundays in Charlotte
- ABC stores, where liquor is sold, are closed on Sundays
- Beer and wine sales on Sundays are only allowed after noon
- Alcohol sales must end by 2 am at bars and other licensed establishments
- North Carolina has strict alcohol laws, including no liquor sales in grocery stores
The 2017 Brunch Bill allows alcohol sales from 10 am on Sundays in Charlotte
In 2017, the North Carolina legislature passed the "Brunch Bill", allowing cities and counties to pass local ordinances enabling Sunday alcohol sales at 10 am instead of noon. Charlotte was one of the first cities to take advantage of this, with the Charlotte City Council unanimously approving the expansion of alcohol sales. This change was expected to bring significant benefits to local businesses, and it did. For instance, Red Rocks Cafe in Birkdale Village sold $200 worth of alcohol one Sunday morning after the bill passed.
The Brunch Bill was a huge deal for Charlotte, which has only two distilleries within city limits. It allows the sale of liquor in closed containers on Sundays, as long as it is purchased from a distillery. Before the bill, distilleries could only sell during the hours the ABC store was open, which excluded Sundays. Now, spots like Great Wagon Road are the only places in town where you can buy liquor on Sundays.
The bill also allows for online orders from ABC stores, and it received overwhelming support in both the House and Senate. It is worth noting that the sale of alcohol on Sundays in North Carolina is still subject to some restrictions. For example, ABC stores, where liquor is sold, are closed on Sundays, so the sale of spirits is typically unavailable. However, establishments with an active on-premise license can sell alcohol from 12 pm to 2 am on Sundays.
In summary, the 2017 Brunch Bill was a significant step forward for alcohol sales in Charlotte, North Carolina, allowing residents and visitors to purchase alcohol from 10 am on Sundays and providing a boost to local businesses.
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ABC stores, where liquor is sold, are closed on Sundays
In North Carolina, the sale of alcohol is strictly regulated by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. Alcohol sales are only permitted from Monday to Saturday between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. On Sundays, the sale of alcohol is restricted to after 10 a.m., following the passing of the 2017 "Brunch Bill", which changed the previous law that prohibited alcohol sales before noon on Sundays.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, the sale of liquor specifically is tightly controlled. Until recently, liquor could only be purchased from ABC stores or businesses with a permit to sell liquor, and these stores were closed on Sundays. This meant that liquor could not be purchased on Sundays in the state. However, in October 2021, the first bottle of liquor was sold on a Sunday in North Carolina since the Prohibition era, following changes to the state's alcoholic beverage control law. The new law allows distilleries to sell their own liquor products on Sundays, but ABC stores remain closed on Sundays. As a result, distilleries are the only places where consumers can purchase liquor in the state on Sundays.
The change in the law has been welcomed by distillery owners, such as Ollie Mulligan of Great Wagon Road Distilling, who can now sell bottles on Sundays. However, another distillery, Seven Jars, has chosen to remain closed on Sundays. The new law also allows for online orders from ABC stores, which previously would have been impossible on Sundays.
The laws regarding alcohol sales in North Carolina can be confusing, and they vary from county to county. For example, Graham County in western North Carolina is the only county in the state that is "dry", meaning the sale of alcohol is illegal there. However, some resorts in the area have obtained special licenses to sell alcohol.
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Beer and wine sales on Sundays are only allowed after noon
In North Carolina, alcohol sales are overseen by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. The state has strict regulations on the sale of alcohol, with ABC stores, where liquor is sold, closed on Sundays.
In 2017, the "Brunch Bill" was passed, allowing restaurants to begin serving alcoholic beverages at 10 am on Sundays. This was a change from the previous law, which prohibited alcohol sales before noon on Sundays. The bill has had a positive impact on businesses, with restaurants reporting increased revenue and more evenly spread-out customers throughout the day.
Following the passing of the "Brunch Bill", the sale of beer and wine on Sundays is now only restricted by timing. Beer and wine sales are allowed after noon on Sundays, with sales ending at 2 am at bars and other establishments serving alcohol. However, it's important to note that counties and cities may have their own regulations, so the specific rules may vary from place to place.
In Charlotte, the City Council approved early Sunday alcohol sales in 2017, joining other cities in North Carolina like Huntersville, Cornelius, and Mecklenburg County. This change has allowed businesses to better serve their customers and has had a positive impact on the local economy.
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Alcohol sales must end by 2 am at bars and other licensed establishments
In North Carolina, alcohol sales are overseen by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, with sales exceeding $1.7 billion in 2022. The state has a general sales tax of 4.75% on beer and wine, and 7% on spirits. Liquor is only sold at ABC stores, which are closed on Sundays.
In 2017, the "brunch bill" was signed into state law, allowing restaurants to begin serving alcoholic beverages at 10 am on Sundays. This was a significant change, as previously, the sale of alcohol wasn't permitted before noon on Sundays. The bill also expanded to include grocery stores, convenience markets, private clubs, and any other places licensed to sell alcohol. Charlotte was one of the first cities to take advantage of this new legislation, with the city council unanimously approving the expansion of alcohol sales.
While the "brunch bill" allowed for earlier alcohol sales on Sundays, it did not change the fact that liquor sales were still prohibited on Sundays due to ABC store closures. However, in 2021, changes were made to a wide-ranging alcoholic beverage control law, allowing the state's distilleries to sell their own liquor products on Sundays. This marked the first time since Prohibition that liquor was legally sold on a Sunday in North Carolina.
It's important to note that North Carolina has unique rules regarding happy hours and drink specials. Happy hour is currently illegal in the state, but there are ongoing efforts to change that. While businesses can offer food specials during happy hour, drink specials have specific requirements. For instance, discounts must last the whole day and be offered to all customers. Additionally, establishments cannot offer "bottomless" drink specials, where a single price is paid for multiple drinks.
North Carolina also has designated social districts where patrons can carry and consume open containers of alcohol in public, but with certain restrictions. For instance, drinks must be purchased from a restaurant, bar, or establishment within the social district, and they must be in containers labeled with the district's logo. These districts can be found in Charlotte and Durham, among other areas.
To summarise, while alcohol sales are permitted in North Carolina starting at 10 am on Sundays, liquor sales were previously restricted due to ABC store closures. However, recent changes now allow distilleries to sell their products on Sundays, providing an additional option for early Sunday alcohol purchases.
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North Carolina has strict alcohol laws, including no liquor sales in grocery stores
North Carolina has a reputation for its strict alcohol laws. The state has a vibrant alcohol industry, with a thriving craft beer scene, an expanding wine industry, and a growing community of local distilleries. However, the sale of liquor is tightly controlled by the government, with taxes, fees, markup pricing, and profits derived from liquor sales all regulated.
One notable aspect of North Carolina's alcohol laws is that liquor is not sold in grocery stores. Instead, liquor and spirits are exclusively sold at state-run ABC stores. These stores are operated by local ABC boards, which work closely with the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission to enforce regulations, manage inventory, and implement policies. The ABC stores are closed on Sundays, so liquor sales are not available on that day. Beer and wine, on the other hand, can be purchased at grocery stores and convenience stores in North Carolina.
While liquor sales are restricted to state-run stores, North Carolina does allow direct-to-consumer shipping for wine. Wineries with a federal basic wine manufacturing permit can apply for a wine shipper permit, which allows them to sell and ship up to two cases of wine per month to individuals in the state. This exception does not apply to spirits and beer, which cannot be shipped directly to consumers.
In addition to the restrictions on liquor sales, North Carolina has other unique alcohol laws. For example, businesses are only permitted to offer Happy Hour food specials, and drink specials must be offered to all customers for the entire day. Bottomless drink offers are prohibited, and alcoholic beverages are banned in commercial vehicles. North Carolina also has social districts, designated areas where patrons can consume alcohol in public, but drinks must be purchased from within the district and consumed in specific containers. These districts can be found in cities like Charlotte and Durham.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy certain types of alcohol on Sundays in Charlotte.
Alcohol sales on Sundays in Charlotte start at 10 am or 12 pm.
You can buy alcohol from retail stores, grocery stores, and distilleries on Sundays in Charlotte.
Yes, you can buy liquor in closed containers from distilleries on Sundays in Charlotte.
Great Wagon Road distillery and bar in NoDa is one of the few places that sell liquor on Sundays in Charlotte.
