Tennessee Alcohol Laws Hours: When You Can Buy and Drink
Understand how Tennessee regulates alcohol sales and consumption times, including key differences by location and day of the week.
Navigating Tennessee’s alcohol laws, particularly the specific hours for purchasing or consuming beverages, can be complex. Regulations differ based on the day, the type of establishment, and local city or county rules, creating potential confusion for residents and visitors. Understanding these time-based restrictions is crucial for avoiding legal issues.
Hours for Off-Premises Purchases
Tennessee law dictates specific time windows for purchasing alcohol intended for consumption elsewhere, known as “off-premises” sales. These rules apply to liquor stores (officially termed retail package stores) and other retailers selling alcohol not meant for immediate consumption on site. State law, primarily Tennessee Code Annotated section 57-3-406, permits retail package stores to sell alcoholic beverages between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.1Justia Law. Tennessee Code § 57-3-406 (2024) – Regulation of Retail Sales These stores cannot be open to the public outside these hours.
Grocery stores licensed to sell wine for off-premises consumption operate under similar time constraints. State law allows these stores to sell wine from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, aligning their weekday and Saturday wine sale hours with those of liquor stores.2University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service. Alcohol and Beer Regulations | Wine in Grocery Stores
Hours for On-Premises Consumption
The regulations change for consuming alcohol within the establishment where it is sold, such as restaurants, bars, and hotels holding an “on-premises consumption” license. State law, specifically Tennessee Code Annotated section 57-4-203, generally prohibits these licensed establishments from selling or giving away alcoholic beverages between 3:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on weekdays (Monday through Saturday).3Justia Law. Tennessee Code § 57-4-203 (2024) – Prohibited Practices – Hours of Sale
Rules from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) reinforce this timeframe, confirming that alcohol cannot be sold or consumed on licensed premises between 3:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday.4Tennessee Secretary of State. Rules of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission – Chapter 0100-01 General This establishes a consistent cutoff time for alcohol service during the week.
Sunday and Holiday Restrictions
Specific rules govern alcohol sales on Sundays and certain holidays. Retail package stores (liquor stores) are permitted to sell alcohol on Sundays, but only between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., according to state law section 57-3-406.
Grocery stores licensed for off-premises wine sales follow the same Sunday schedule, allowed to sell wine between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
State law mandates complete closures for off-premises alcohol sales on three major holidays: Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Both liquor stores and grocery stores are prohibited from selling alcohol or wine on these days.
Local Variations in Scheduling
While state laws set the maximum allowable hours for alcohol sales and service, Tennessee grants local governments—counties and municipalities—the authority to enact stricter time limits within their jurisdictions. This means the actual cutoff time for purchasing alcohol from a liquor store or grocery store, or for service at a bar or restaurant, could be earlier than the state maximums of 11:00 p.m. or 3:00 a.m., respectively, depending on local ordinances.
State law acknowledges this local power, allowing municipalities or metropolitan governments to opt out of certain state-approved hours for on-premises consumption by passing a resolution. Local governments also regulate beer sale hours, typically prohibiting sales between midnight and 6:00 a.m. Monday-Saturday, but state law allows counties to extend these hours, though not shorten them beyond the state minimum.5University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service. Hours of Operation (Beer Sales) Municipalities can set their own beer sale hours through ordinances.6University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service. Alcohol and Beer Regulations | Beer Establishments holding both liquor and beer licenses may follow the liquor sale hours for beer as well.
Because regulations can vary significantly by location, individuals and businesses must consult the specific ordinances of the relevant city or county. These local rules determine the precise, legally enforceable hours for alcohol sales and service, which will always be within or shorter than the timeframes set by state law.
Penalties for Violations
Violating the mandated hours for alcohol sales and service in Tennessee carries significant consequences. The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) enforces these time restrictions and can impose administrative penalties on non-compliant businesses. These penalties frequently involve suspending or revoking the establishment’s alcohol license. The TABC can also levy civil monetary penalties, generally up to $1,500 for retailers and on-premises establishments instead of suspension, though higher amounts may apply in certain cases, such as repeat offenses. For beer sale hour violations, penalties can reach $2,500. TABC rules indicate fines for after-hours sales start at $200.7Cornell Legal Information Institute. Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0100-05-.03 – Schedule of Fines for On-Premises Violations
Individuals, including owners, managers, or employees, who sell or serve alcohol outside legal hours can face criminal charges. Selling liquor or wine outside permitted hours by a liquor store licensee or employee is a Class A misdemeanor, as is selling or serving by an on-premises licensee or employee between 3:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. (Monday-Saturday). A Class A misdemeanor conviction carries a potential sentence of up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500.8Justia Law. Tennessee Code § 40-35-111 (2024) – Authorized Terms of Imprisonment and Fines Violating beer sales hours is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine up to $50.9University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service. Prohibited Acts Under the Tennessee Beer Law
