In Tennessee, state law defines the hours for selling and serving alcohol. These regulations can be modified by local ordinances, leading to different rules depending on the location. The permissible times for alcohol sales also differ based on the type of business and the day of the week.
Alcohol Sale Hours at Liquor Stores
Retail package stores, commonly known as liquor stores, are permitted to sell spirits, wine, and high-gravity beer from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Sunday sales at liquor stores are contingent upon local approval. If a municipality or county has passed a referendum authorizing Sunday sales, liquor stores in that jurisdiction may operate from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Beer and Wine Sale Hours at Grocery and Convenience Stores
The sale of wine in licensed grocery stores is governed by a consistent statewide schedule. These establishments can sell wine from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, wine sales in grocery stores are permitted between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
For beer sales at grocery and convenience stores for off-premise consumption, the rules are established by both state and local laws. State law prohibits the sale of beer between 3:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. from Monday through Saturday. This creates a window during which beer sales are universally restricted.
Sunday beer sales are generally allowed from 10:00 a.m. on Sunday until 3:00 a.m. on Monday morning. Local governments, however, have the authority to enact more restrictive ordinances. Because of this potential for local variation, it is advisable for consumers to verify the specific beer sale hours in their particular area, as they may be shorter than what state law allows.
Alcohol Service Hours at Bars and Restaurants
For establishments such as bars and restaurants that serve alcohol for on-premise consumption, state law provides a broad window for service. These businesses can serve beer, wine, and spirits from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday.1Justia. Tennessee Code § 57-4-203 – Prohibited Practices – Hours of Sale On Sundays, the service hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.
While the state sets the maximum hours, local governments possess the authority to curtail them. Municipalities can pass ordinances that shorten the service hours, but they cannot extend them beyond the 3:00 a.m. cutoff mandated by the state. This provision allows local communities to tailor alcohol service times to their specific needs and preferences.
This framework means that service hours can differ from one jurisdiction to another. Patrons should be aware that while a restaurant in one part of the state might serve alcohol until 3:00 a.m., another in a different locality might be required to stop service earlier due to local rules.
Special Holiday Restrictions on Alcohol Sales
State law imposes specific closures on certain holidays for retail package stores. These stores must be closed on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Easter.2Justia. Tennessee Code § 57-3-406 – Regulation of Retail Sales
Other holidays, such as New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, do not have statewide sales restrictions for retail stores or on-premise establishments. On these days, alcohol sales and service follow the normal daily schedule, including Sunday hours if applicable. However, local jurisdictions may have their own ordinances that could impose additional restrictions on these or other holidays.