Keith Mack
Florida has a comprehensive set of laws regulating the sale of liquor, which businesses must follow to remain compliant and avoid penalties. These laws cover various aspects, including licensing requirements, age restrictions, permitted retail locations, and operating hours. Florida requires all businesses involved in manufacturing, distributing, selling, or importing alcohol to obtain a license. The state offers different types of licenses depending on the type of alcohol sold and whether consumption occurs on or off-premises. Retailers such as Walmart, Target, and CVS can sell beer and wine, while liquor is typically sold in package stores or dedicated liquor stores. Florida prohibits anyone under 18 from selling alcohol, and only those 21 or older can purchase and transport it. The default daily selling hours for alcohol are 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM, but individual counties and municipalities can set their own laws, with some allowing 24-hour sales.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Default hours for selling alcohol | 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM daily |
| Retailers that can sell alcohol | Walmart, Target, CVS, grocery stores, gas stations |
| Types of alcohol sold by retailers | Beer, wine |
| Retailers that sell spirits | Publix, Milams, Winn Dixie |
| Places to buy spirits | Package stores |
| Retailers that sell beer and wine | Convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores |
| Age limit to sell alcohol | 18 years and above |
| Age limit to buy alcohol | 21 years and above |
| Age limit to transport alcohol | 21 years and above |
| Age verification | ID scanners |
| Online sales | Allowed |
| Shipping of wine | Allowed |
| Shipping of spirits | Not allowed |
| Types of licenses | On-premises, off-premises, quota license |
| License requirement | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Liquor licenses and types
Florida has a multitude of liquor licenses available, depending on the type of business and alcohol being sold. Firstly, it is important to note that all businesses dealing with alcohol in Florida must be licensed. The type of license depends on whether alcohol is consumed on or off the business premises. Most liquor stores will need an off-premises license.
The two major categories of licenses are Package Sales (PS) and Consumption on or off-premise (COP). A PS license is for the sale of alcohol in grocery stores, liquor stores, and convenience stores. A COP license is for bars and restaurants, where alcohol is consumed on the premises. A 1APS license, for example, allows a store to sell packaged beer only. A 2COP license allows a bar or restaurant to sell beer and wine for consumption on or off the premises. A 3PS license allows the sale of spirits, wine, and beer for off-premise consumption. A 4COP license allows bars and restaurants to serve spirits, mixed drinks, wine, and beer.
A Quota license is required if you plan to sell beer, wine, and liquor. This type of license is more challenging to obtain as there are a limited number available. A new quota license is issued when the population of a county increases by 7,500 people. Bars and nightclubs that derive more than 49% of their sales from alcohol will require this type of license. Retail stores that sell liquor will also need a quota license.
Other licenses include a Retail Beverage license, which is the most common and allows the sale of alcoholic beverages on a retail basis. A Bottle Club license allows customers to bring their own alcoholic drinks to a bottle club. A Manufacturer's license is for companies that produce alcoholic drinks and distribute them to wholesalers. A Distributor's license is required for companies that import and distribute alcohol to retail vendors.
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Age restrictions for sellers and buyers
In Florida, you must be at least 21 years old to purchase alcohol. This is consistent across the United States. Drinking and driving are also illegal.
Florida prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from selling alcohol. If you operate a bar or other on-premises location, an 18-year-old can serve alcohol but cannot pour it. Employees must be at least 18 to work in areas of an establishment that sell or serve alcohol for consumption.
To purchase beer and wine in convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores, the seller must hold an alcohol retailer's license. Liquor can only be purchased at package stores.
Florida offers a limited number of active liquor licenses, and the number available is based on the population of a given county. Most liquor stores will need an off-premises license to operate legally. There are different types of licenses based on what you sell (e.g. beer and wine, liquor, or just beer). If you plan to sell beer, wine, and liquor, you must apply for a quota license.
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Retailers and locations
In Florida, retailers such as Walmart, Target, and CVS sell alcohol, specifically beer and wine. Grocery stores in Florida also sell beer and wine, and those with separate liquor stores in close proximity, such as Publix, Milams, and Winn Dixie, sell spirits. Beer is also sold at gas stations.
Liquor, or spirits, can be purchased in retail package stores. In the City of Miami, package stores may sell between 9 am and 7 pm, and retailers may serve from noon until 3 am. In Broward County, on and off-premise retailers cannot sell before noon. To purchase and consume alcohol, a person must be 21 or older. Employees must also be 21 or older to transport alcohol.
Florida prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from selling or serving alcohol. In bars or other on-premise locations, an 18-year-old can serve alcohol but cannot pour it. Employees must be at least 18 to work in areas that sell or serve alcohol for consumption.
Florida is one of nine states where individual counties can dictate whether alcohol can be purchased on Sundays. Some counties limit Sunday alcohol sales, and certain counties are permitted to sell alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To determine the closing time for liquor stores in a specific location, check the regulations of the county or municipality, which can be found on their official websites or by contacting the local Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) board.
All alcohol sold in Florida must go through a three-tier system, with suppliers and manufacturers selling to wholesalers or importers, who then market and sell to retail establishments. All businesses that deal with alcohol in Florida must be licensed.
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Trading hours and days
In Florida, the default hours for selling alcohol are between 7:00 a.m. and midnight daily. However, counties and incorporated municipalities may enact their own hours of sale ordinances, which supersede the default hours. Some counties allow for extended sales until 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m., while others may have even earlier closing times. For example, in Broward County, on- and off-premise retailers are prohibited from selling alcohol before noon.
Retailers such as Walmart, Target, and CVS sell beer and wine, but not spirits. Grocery stores in Florida also sell beer and wine, and some, like Publix, Milams, and Winn Dixie, sell spirits at separate locations in close proximity to the main store. Gas stations predominantly sell beer, but some also offer wine.
On-premise locations, such as bars and restaurants, can generally sell alcohol until 2:00 a.m. In some jurisdictions, on-premise sales of alcohol may be restricted to specific hours, such as from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Monday to Friday, with some bars open later on Saturdays.
It is important to note that there are no statewide restrictions on alcohol sales on holidays in Florida, except for Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas. However, local ordinances may impose additional restrictions or regulations on alcohol sales, so it is always a good idea to check with local authorities.
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Delivery and shipping
Businesses that manufacture, distribute, sell, or import alcohol in Florida must possess a valid liquor license. Different types of licenses are available depending on the type of alcohol being sold (e.g., beer and wine, liquor, or just beer) and whether it is consumed on or off the premises. For instance, most liquor stores require an off-premises license, while establishments selling beer, wine, and liquor must apply for a quota license.
Retailers, including package stores, convenience stores, and gas stations, can sell beer and wine, but spirits are typically sold separately in liquor stores. On-premise food providers may deliver alcoholic beverages, but only when accompanied by a food order. Additionally, distillers and retailers may deliver alcohol directly to consumers under specific conditions.
While online sales and delivery of alcohol are legal in Florida, direct shipping of spirits to consumers is prohibited. Wine, on the other hand, can be shipped directly to customers. Businesses must ensure age verification during online sales, as there are no restrictions on the type of alcohol sold for off-premises delivery.
Florida's liquor laws can vary by county, with some counties prohibiting alcohol sales before noon or limiting Sunday sales. It is essential for businesses to stay updated on these local regulations and comply with them to avoid penalties.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol can be sold between 7:00 AM and 12:00 AM daily. However, this may vary depending on the county or municipality. For example, in the City of Miami, package stores may sell between 9 am and 7 pm, and retailers may serve from noon until 3 am.
Retailers such as Walmart, Target, and CVS sell beer and wine. Grocery stores also sell beer and wine, and some have separate liquor stores nearby. Gas stations predominantly sell beer but also sometimes wine. Spirits are sold in package stores and liquor stores.
All businesses dealing with alcohol in Florida must be licensed. There are different licenses depending on whether alcohol is consumed on or off-premises, and what type of alcohol is being sold. For example, a separate quota license is required to sell beer, wine, and liquor together.
You must be at least 21 years old to purchase and consume alcohol in Florida. Employees must be at least 18 years old to sell or serve alcohol, but they cannot pour it.
