Anaya Nolan
Texas has strict and complex liquor laws that are regulated at multiple levels. The state has recently introduced new laws that allow for the delivery of liquor to customers' homes by third-party companies. These laws vary depending on the type of license or permit held by the retailer, with some requiring food orders to be accompanied by alcohol deliveries. Alcohol ID checks are also mandatory, and retailers must ensure compliance with these policies to avoid liability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol availability | Alcohol can be purchased and consumed 7 days a week in Texas. |
| Purchase timings | Alcohol is available for in-store purchase from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to midnight on Sunday. |
| Liquor store timings | Liquor stores are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday. They are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If Christmas or New Year's falls on a Sunday, they must remain closed on Monday. |
| Bar and restaurant timings | Alcohol can be served in bars and restaurants from 10 a.m. on Sundays if food is also ordered. Certain bars or restaurants can serve until 2 a.m. any day of the week with a "late hours" permit. Hotel bars can serve hotel guests at any time of day. |
| Third-party delivery | Third-party companies are permitted to deliver beer, wine, and liquor from state-licensed retailers to customers, either as solo purchases or with food orders. |
| Delivery restrictions | Deliveries must be within the county where the retailer is located or up to a two-mile radius if crossing into another county. |
| Alcohol-to-go | Alcohol-to-go options have been made permanent, allowing licensed establishments to provide pickup and delivery services for alcoholic beverages. |
| Local variations | Texas alcohol laws vary across counties, cities, and precincts, with some "dry counties prohibiting alcohol sales. |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol delivery laws in Texas vary by county
Texas's alcohol laws, sometimes referred to as ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) laws or liquor laws, can be complicated. While some states in the US have made alcohol delivery permanent, Texas has a dynamic landscape of liquor laws, with regulations varying significantly from one area to another.
Some counties or municipalities have separate alcohol laws enforced on top of the state laws. For instance, certain jurisdictions, particularly those classified as dry or damp counties, may impose additional restrictions on alcohol pickup and delivery.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, on-premises licensees could offer alcohol pickup and delivery under certain conditions. In 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the state's legislature updated the law to permanently allow customers and businesses to benefit from alcohol-to-go options. The law, introduced through House Bill 1024, grants Mixed Beverage and Private Club permit holders the authority to sell alcohol, including mixed drinks, for customer pickup or delivery, as long as they meet the requirements in the law.
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Liquor stores cannot open on Sundays or public holidays
Texas has some of the most confusing alcohol laws in the country, with some laws varying from county to county. Texas is one of the few remaining states with a Sunday ban on the retail sale of spirits. This means that liquor stores must remain closed on Sundays and some holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, liquor stores must also remain closed on the following Monday.
On the other hand, beer and wine can be sold by grocery and convenience stores from 10 am to midnight on Sundays. Restaurants and bars can serve liquor-based beverages from 10 am on Sundays if the customer is also ordering food; otherwise, service begins at noon. Alcohol service can begin at 10 am on Sundays during live events, such as sports events, festivals, fairs, or concerts, regardless of whether food is served.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) enforces these laws and has outlined the hours that beer and wine can be sold. From Monday to Friday, beer and wine can be sold from 7 am to midnight. On Saturdays, beer and wine sales are permitted from 7 am to 1 am.
There has been some push to extend liquor store hours in Texas, with many arguing that the law is outdated and does not fit the modern lifestyle. However, others believe that Sundays should be saved as a "family day". For now, the Sunday and holiday ban on liquor sales in Texas remains in place, with businesses caught violating these laws facing fines of up to $300 or suspension of their alcoholic permit in the case of repeat behavior.
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Alcohol can be delivered by third-party services
Texas has some of the most complicated alcohol laws in the country. The state's alcohol laws, also known as ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) or liquor laws, vary significantly across counties, cities, and precincts. Texas was a dry state during the Prohibition era, and even after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, it maintained stringent alcohol policies.
In recent years, Texas has relaxed its alcohol regulations, allowing for alcohol delivery and pickup services. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this shift, with temporary waivers introduced to aid businesses during the crisis. These provisions were later made permanent by Governor Greg Abbott and the state legislature. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) is the authoritative body that manages alcohol regulation and has played a crucial role in implementing these changes.
The rise of third-party delivery platforms, such as Uber Eats, has expanded the landscape of alcohol delivery in Texas. These platforms have their own set of policies to ensure compliance, including mandatory ID checks upon delivery. Retailers partnering with these platforms must align with these policies to mitigate any legal risks. Additionally, businesses offering delivery services directly to consumers' doors must navigate the requirements for Consumer Delivery (CD) permits.
In Texas, third-party companies are now permitted to pick up beer, wine, and liquor from state-licensed retailers, including bars, restaurants, and liquor stores. These purchases can be delivered solo or alongside food orders. This legislation has been applauded by various organizations, including the Texas Restaurant Association, as it allows restaurants to better compete in the on-demand economy and reach a wider customer base.
While Texas has made significant strides in loosening its alcohol delivery laws, it is important to note that the state still maintains stricter regulations for liquor compared to beer and wine. Liquor stores, for instance, are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. These stricter laws are due to liquor having a higher alcohol content.
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Alcohol can be delivered with food orders
Texas has some of the most complicated alcohol laws in the United States. This is partly due to its history as a dry state during the Prohibition era, which lasted from 1919 to 1933. Texas's alcohol laws, sometimes called ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) laws or liquor laws, have evolved over time to meet the needs and preferences of Texans. Counties and local jurisdictions in Texas are allowed to enforce their own alcohol regulations or even total prohibitions. This means that Texas's alcohol laws vary significantly from one area to another.
In recent years, Texas has updated its alcohol laws to allow for greater flexibility in how and when alcohol can be purchased and consumed. For example, alcohol can now be purchased and consumed seven days a week in Texas, although there are still some restrictions on the days and hours that liquor stores, bars, clubs, and restaurants can sell alcohol. Liquor stores, for instance, are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
The COVID-19 pandemic also led to temporary changes in Texas's alcohol laws, allowing licensed establishments to offer pickup and delivery services for alcoholic beverages. These changes were made permanent in 2021 through House Bill 1024, which grants Mixed Beverage and Private Club permit holders the authority to sell alcohol, including mixed beverages, for customer pickup or delivery within specific parameters. One of the key provisions of this bill is that alcohol can now be delivered along with food orders.
Third-party delivery services, such as Uber Eats, have expanded the landscape of alcohol delivery in Texas. These services have their own set of policies, including mandatory ID checks upon delivery, to ensure compliance with alcohol regulations. Restaurants and bars that partner with these platforms must ensure they are aligned with these policies to mitigate any legal risks. The Texas Restaurant Association has applauded these changes as a way for restaurants to better compete in the on-demand economy and reach more customers.
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Alcohol delivery laws have been relaxed since the pandemic
Texas has strict liquor laws, with Sunday sales only beginning at 10 am for grocery and convenience stores, and liquor stores remaining closed on Sundays and certain holidays. The new law grants permit holders the authority to sell alcohol for pickup or delivery, provided they adhere to specific requirements, including mandatory ID checks.
The pandemic prompted many states to relax their alcohol delivery laws temporarily. Around 30 states, including Texas, temporarily allowed to-go alcohol sales. A few states, such as Ohio, Oklahoma, and Iowa, have made these changes permanent. These looser laws have provided a valuable income stream for restaurants and bars, with 85% of respondents in a Colorado poll supporting permanent to-go alcohol sales.
While Texas has updated its laws to allow permanent alcohol-to-go options, some states have not introduced any new laws. For example, Utah has maintained its rigid liquor laws, only recently allowing bars and restaurants to offer beer to-go in sealed containers, with specific conditions.
The landscape of alcohol delivery has expanded with the rise of third-party delivery platforms, requiring retailers to navigate state-wide and local laws to ensure compliance. These platforms have their own policies, including ID checks, to ensure compliance with alcohol delivery regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, third-party companies are permitted to pick up beer, wine, and liquor from state-licensed retailers and deliver them to customers.
Alcohol can be purchased and consumed seven days a week in Texas. Alcohol sales begin at 7 am Monday through Saturday and 10 am on Sundays. Sales end at midnight from Sunday to Friday, and 1 am on Saturday.
Texas has stricter laws for liquor than beer and wine due to its higher alcohol content. Liquor stores are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, they remain closed on Monday.
No, deliveries are restricted to the county where the retailer is located or up to a two-mile radius if crossing into another county.
No, Texas counties, cities, and local jurisdictions are allowed to restrict or prohibit alcohol sales as they see fit. Dry counties in Texas do not permit alcohol sales.
