Wishing You a Hoppy Christmas: Can I buy alcohol on Christmas Day in Texas?
With Christmas around the corner, I guess you can say we’re getting in the Christmas spirit—but where (and when) in Texas, can these spirits be bought? We have the answers.
Liquor
Texans who like a hot toddy—or simply a cocktail—while they celebrate the holiday at home should stock up before Christmas Day.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code (TABC) bans the sale of liquor on Christmas Day. (And because the TABC doesn’t participate in holiday discrimination—it also bans the sale of liquor on New Year’s Day and Thanksgiving.)[1]
When Christmas Day or New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, then liquor sales are also banned the following Monday.[2]
Outside the holidays, the TABC also bans liquor sales on Sundays, and before 10AM and after 9PM any other day.[3]
With Christmas falling on a Monday this year, when, exactly, is the latest that you can stock up on your holiday spirits? Saturday, December 23 until 9PM.
Beer and Wine
Apparently, the TABC enjoys rein-beer games. The sale of beer or wine is fair game on Christmas Day (and all other holidays).
You can buy beer or wine at convenience and grocery stores:
1. Monday-Friday: 7AM to Midnight
2. Saturday: 7AM to 1AM
3. Sunday: Noon to Midnight[4]
But what if I want to have a drink outside my home?
If you need a breather from your uncle who won’t stop talking about politics, you have a few more options for your Christmas spirits.
You can buy liquor at bars, restaurants, or distilleries:
1. Monday-Friday: 7AM to Midnight
2. Saturday: 7AM to 1AM
3. Sunday: 10AM to Midnight (but between 10AM and noon, any liquor sales must be during service of food to a customer)[5]
And you can go to a winery or brewery:
1. Monday-Saturday: 8AM to Midnight
2. Sunday: 10AM to Midnight[6]
Why, in 2023, can I still not buy liquor on Sundays (or the holidays)?
Texas has restricted liquor sales on Sundays since 1935, when the Texas Liquor Control act was passed in response to the repeal of prohibition. Over time, the Sunday rule added three special holidays. In 1967, Christmas was added as a day for restricted-alcohol sales, and in 1979, Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day joined the (tamed) party.
Bills to allow liquor stores to open on Sundays have failed in the past. But 2024 might look a little different.
Will I be able to buy liquor on Sundays in 2024?
Sort of and potentially.
There’s a new bill that would allow grocery and convenience stores in Texas to sell ready-to-drink cocktails and seltzers made with distilled spirits, or “spirit coolers,” seven days a week.
Texas Rep. Justin Holland introduced a version of the bill in the Texas House earlier in February, followed by Texas Sen. Kelly Hancock in the Texas Senate that same month.
Currently, beer, wine, and malt liquor that have an alcohol content of 17% and below, are permitted for sale in grocery and convenience stories. If passed, the bill would allow spirit coolers that have the same alcohol content to be sold in those same stores.
Now that we’ve given you a guide to the most wine-derful time of the year, stay safe, and enjoy your Christmapolitans.
[1] TABC § 105.01(a)(1).
[2] TABC § 105.01(b).
[3] TABC § 105.01(a)(2), (3).
[4] TABC § 105.05(b).
[5] TABC § 105.03(b).
[6] TABC § 105.08(1)-(2), § 105.082(1)-(2).
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