Tennessee Liquor Laws: the State Legislature Uncorked the Issue.

This post has been updated from it’s original version – 12.29.22

How can I buy alcohol in Tennessee on Sundays?

Most of us have experienced that moment of heart-stopping realization: it’s late Saturday night and you forgot to make a liquor store run for your Sunday brunch party (or football pre-game). Knowing the stores won’t be open the next day, you race (or Uber) to the closest store. A new law headed to the Governor’s desk could allow you to wait until the next day: SUNDAY.

It was previously against the law for wine and liquor to be sold on Sundays at retail stores in Tennessee. The State Legislature Uncorked the Issue. Here’s a List of When You Can Buy Alcohol in Tennessee.

Tennessee liquor laws as of 2023

Recently, the legislature decided to make Sundays fun again and uncork the prohibition of Sunday wine and liquor sales. The Tennessee General Assembly approved HB 1540 that would allow liquor stores to be open on Sundays and allow wine to be sold in grocery stores on Sundays. You can read the full Tennessee Code at T.C.A. 57-3-406.

Here’s the good stuff from the law:

• Monday through Saturday:

  As a result of this new law, grocery stores and liquor stores will be permitted to sell beer, wine, and liquor from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

• Sunday:

  Sales are limited to between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

• Holidays: 

  However, liquor will remain unavailable on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Other Details:

• It seems this new bill is a win-win for everyone because the bill is expected to increase state revenue in excess of $2,883,800 and increase local revenues across the state.
• Liquor stores will get a head start in front of grocery stores, as they will be permitted to open on Sundays as soon as the bill becomes a law.
• Grocery stores will have to wait until January 1, 2019 to start selling wine seven days a week.

Tennessee’s House of Representatives passed the proposal on a 55-35 vote. Surprisingly, it was a closer call in the Senate with a 17-11 vote in favor. The bill is on Governor Haslam’s desk awaiting his signature.

LAW ALLOWING THE SALE OF Liquor on Sundays IN TENNESSEE Passed

LIQUOR STORES

→    Liquor stores may sell alcohol on Sundays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.

→   Alcohol may not be sold on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.

→   As required by TN state law, liquor stores must “mark up” the price of spirits by 10%.

→   As required by TN state law, liquor stores must “mark up” the price 20%.

GROCERY STORES

→    Grocery stores may not sell wine on Sundays until Jan. 6, 2019.

→    After Jan. 6, 2019, grocery stores may sell wine on Sundays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.

→    Finally…After Jan. 6, 2019, grocery stores may sell wine on any holiday.

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