How Late Can You Buy Alcohol in Texas: A Guide for the Discerning Drinker (or Procrastinator)
Ah, Texas. Land of wide-open spaces, big steaks, and... confusing alcohol laws? Fear not, fellow revelers, because this here guide will be your compass through the sometimes strange, sometimes logical world of Texas booze buying hours.
Beer and Wine: Your Grocery Store BFFs
Let's start with the good news: beer and wine are your best friends when it comes to convenience. Grocery stores and convenience stores are slinging suds and selling vino from 7 am to midnight, Monday through Friday. That's right, folks, you can grab a six-pack for breakfast (don't judge, we've all been there) or a bottle of Pinot for a late-night Netflix binge.
Weekends get a little trickier. On Saturdays, you can pick up your party supplies from those same stores between 7 am and 1 am (Sunday morning). But Sundays are a different story. Until recently, it was a whole church-let-out situation, with beer and wine sales only starting at noon. But fear not, mimosas for brunch lovers! In 2021, Texas finally embraced the concept of a boozy brunch, allowing stores to sell beer and wine starting at 10 am on Sundays.
Here's the key takeaway for beer and wine: Unless it's Sunday morning, you're good to go from breakfast time to late-night cravings.
Liquor Stores: A Strict 9 to 5 (Except for Those Other Days)
Now, for the hard stuff (literally). If you're looking for liquor, you'll need to head to a dedicated liquor store. These guys have slightly stricter hours. They operate on a Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm schedule. Sundays? Nope. Closed tighter than a vault. And forget about any last-minute liquor runs on major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Those days, the liquor stores are as closed as Willie Nelson's eyes after a long session.
The moral of the liquor store story? Plan ahead, my friend.
Special Cases: Because Texas Likes to Keep Things Interesting
Of course, Texas throws in a few curveballs to keep things interesting. For example, some restaurants with licenses can sell liquor on Sundays as early as 10 am, but only if you're ordering food. So, that breakfast margarita might be an option, depending on where you go.
Always check with the specific store or restaurant to confirm their alcohol sales hours, because hey, you never know what surprises Texas has up its sleeve (or in this case, liquor cabinet).
So there you have it, folks! Your comprehensive guide to navigating the sometimes wacky, sometimes wonderful world of Texas alcohol laws. Now go forth, grab your beverage of choice, and remember: everything's bigger in Texas, including the potential for a hangover if you're not careful!
