Can You Buy Liquor on Sunday in Ohio? Everything About Alcohol Laws

Most people wonder, “Can you buy liquor on Sunday in Ohio?” because of how different the beer laws are from state to state.

Whether you’re moving to Ohio permanently, visiting family, or having a vacation in the state, it helps to know when you can and can’t buy alcohol.

Ohio does not allow its businesses to sell liquor on Sundays, and this is strictly enforced as the area is a blue law state. Luckily, it’s not a dry state, so you can get alcohol as long as you purchase it at the right time, so let’s take a closer look in this guide.

Can You Buy Liquor on Sunday in Ohio?

You can’t buy liquor on a Sunday in Ohio except if you are doing so from a business that has acquired a special permit. Blue law states are known for disallowing particular activities to occur on Sundays. In some states, non-essential companies can’t open on this day, while others ban the sale of alcohol.

You can buy intoxicating liquor on Sunday in Ohio, but only if the business holds a special permit. Alcohol sales are allowed between 10:00 am to midnight. Sunday sales also depend on the location, so you’ll have to research for stores selling on this day.

Before, consumers in Ohio could only buy beer and wine from specially permitted stores on Sundays. Today, you can purchase different liquor on Sunday. Keep in mind that Sunday alcohol sales will be allowed for stores in communities where the voters have voted to support it.

– Liquor License

The Ohio Sunday license has a permit class of D6 and permits the sale of intoxicating liquor on Sunday between 10:00 am or 11:00 am and midnight. Businesses will spend up to $500 to get a special license for Sundays.

When Can You Buy Liquor in Ohio?

For businesses in Ohio where customers drink liquor on-premise like restaurants, breweries, brewpubs, bars, and taprooms, they can sell liquor between Monday and Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. If you’re visiting Ohio or planning to move and you want to drink at the bar, you should ensure you visit during the time allowed.

For liquor and grocery establishments, gas stations, and other businesses that sell beer off-premise, they can do so between 5:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. from Monday to Saturday. Companies are not allowed to give out free celebratory drinks to their customers. Also, they can set their hiring requirements for bartenders.

The state government in Ohio regulates the sale of beer and wine through a three-tier system, which ensures that there is no monopoly over the market. The state also owns a portion of the spirits supply chain, and the profits from liquor sales are used to fund the state. Luckily, the alcohol laws are flexible since no one will be drinking liquor at 7 a.m.

– When Do Bars Close?

Bars in Ohio usually close between 12:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m, except on Sundays. The closing time depends on their location, although it can’t go past 2:30 a.m. since this is when they are required by law to stop selling liquor.

Bars with a special license to sell alcohol on Sundays can close by midnight. Keep in mind that you can find bars still open after midnight.

Does Ohio Have Any Dry Counties?

Ohio does not have any dry counties, but there are a few precincts and dry towns. There are currently no states in the U.S. that are dry, including Ohio. The counties in the state are wet too, which means that they permit the sale of alcohol.

In these precincts, the residents can use a single precinct voting process to decide whether they would disallow or regulate the sale of alcohol. Some towns like Albany, Adams County, Green Township, and Lawrence County are dry.

Some towns or villages allow their businesses to sell but not serve liquor. If you’re planning on moving to Ohio, then you should check whether the county, town, or village you are relocating to is dry or not and other restrictions they might have on selling and serving alcohol in businesses.

Where Can You Buy Liquor in Ohio?

You can buy intoxicating liquor in restaurants, bars, gas stations, motels, hotels, liquor and grocery stores, taprooms, and breweries, but they must have the proper permits and follow particular liquor laws. You can also purchase liquor in airports, private clubs, and events by law.

– Restaurants and Bars

In a sealed container, you can buy liquor in restaurants and bars in Ohio whether for on-premise or off-premise consumption. If you’re purchasing a takeout meal, you can get three alcoholic drinks. Also, you have to get a meal with the alcohol and can’t order it alone.

– Gas Stations

Another place to buy liquor in Ohio is at gas stations, except this is restricted to off-premise consumption. Gas stations can also get a special permit to sell on Sundays.

– Motels and Hotels

In motels and hotels, you can buy liquor between 10:00 a.m. and midnight. It is restricted to on-premise consumption and must be sold in a glass or from its initial container. This is only allowed in hotels and motels that are part of a college or university or have a minimum of 50 rooms. Guests can also buy alcohol from their rooms.

– Grocery Stores

Like gas stations, a grocery store can sell liquor in Ohio for off-premise consumption. It must be sold as packaged from the brewery in its initial container. These stores can also get a special permit for Sundays.

– Taprooms and Breweries

Breweries, brewpubs, taprooms, restaurants, and distilleries in Ohio can sell liquor they made on that premises for drinking in location or taking home.

For the former, they can serve drinks in glasses or open containers. As for off-premise consumption, the containers must not exceed a gallon. They can also offer four free samples and not more than two ounces per sample.

– Liquor Stores

Retail liquor and package stores can sell liquor for off-premises consumption and offer their customers samples. They are restricted to selling liquor in their initial containers, and each container has a limit of five and one-sixth gallons. If you want to buy more, you’ll need to go to the beer distributors. The liquor laws for samples are the same with breweries.

– Does Kroger, Costco, and Walmart Sell Liquor in Ohio?

Yes, they do. Kroger has over 70 stores in Ohio, but you’ll need to check if the one close to you has a permit to sell on Sundays. Costco also sells liquor, whether in person or for deliveries. As for Walmart, you can purchase beer on Sundays but no wine and liquor.

Minimum Drinking Age

The minimum drinking age in Ohio is 21 years old, the legal drinking age in the United States. Those under age 18 are considered minors, and they can only drink if under parental supervision. Also, those between 18 and 21 can only consume alcohol after getting permission from parents and with supervision. If not, they are seen to be drinking underage.

For minors, the parent or guardian must be physically present to qualify as parental consent. Also, if any damages or injuries are caused after drinking, the parent will assume responsibility. This is the same case with spouses when one is over 21 and the other is between 18 and 20.

Minors can also drink alcohol for medicinal, educational, or religious purposes, but a parent or guardian cannot give alcohol to another minor that isn’t their child, even if the child’s parents consent. The parents must be present. Those under 21 years old are not allowed to purchase alcohol in Ohio, as this is illegal. Also, trying to do this with a fake ID is a punishable offense.

How Are Bartenders Regulated?

In Ohio, bartenders don’t have to acquire a license before they can sell and serve alcohol. Also, businesses are allowed to choose their hiring requirements for bartenders. Based on the law, 18-year-olds can sell beer, wine, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages, but they must be in sealed containers.

As for serving alcohol, you must be 19 years old and above, although this isn’t allowed for wine or spirits. But before you can be employed as a bartender, you must be of drinking age, which is 21 years or older.

Also, it is not legal for a bartender to drink while working in Ohio. Based on the administrative rules of the Division of Liquor Control under the Department of Commerce, bartenders are not allowed to consume alcohol while on the clock.

Can You Get Beer Delivered?

You can get beer delivered in Ohio, as a bill permitting this was signed in April 2021. The same goes for other types of liquor, but they must be placed in their original container. The person who wants to order the liquor and receive it must be 21 years old.

Online stores, local stores, breweries, and local delivery services can also deliver beer to their customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have explored all you need to know about buying liquor on Sunday in Ohio and other laws. Here are some other questions you might have in mind.

– What Time Can I Buy Beer in Ohio on Sunday?

You can buy beer from 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. on Sunday, depending on the business, its location, and if it has a special permit. Beer sales on Sunday stop by midnight.

– Why Do Liquor Stores Close on Sundays?

Blue laws were put in place to ensure that people go to church, pray and read their Bibles, so its rules include closing the liquor stores on Sundays since this is when religious Americans go to church. Some laws also prohibit work and recreational activities during Sunday.

Wine is only sold at stores with a special Sunday liquor permit in Ohio. If not, you won’t find wine for sale on Sundays.

Conclusion

With our complete guide, you can now freely purchase liquor in Ohio while obeying the laws. Here are a few of the main points:

• You cannot buy liquor on a Sunday in Ohio, except if it is from a business that holds a special license.
• The special license allows the sale of alcohol on Sundays between 10 a.m. and midnight.
• From Mondays to Saturdays, selling alcohol for on-premise consumption is allowed between 5:30 a.m, and 2:30 a.m. Selling for off-premise consumption stops at 1:00 a.m.
• Ohio has some dry towns, villages, and precincts.
• You can get beer delivered in Ohio.

So when you find yourself in Ohio, you now know the right time to visit bars, stores, gas stations, and other places where beer is allowed. But when it comes to Sundays, you’ll have to look further for a business with a special license.