Posted on: April 5, 2024
Florida Alcohol Laws: What Time Can You Buy Alcohol on Sunday?
Planning a Sunday brunch with mimosas or a relaxing evening with a glass of wine? In Florida, navigating the intricacies of when and where you can purchase alcohol, especially on Sundays, can be confusing.
Enjoy the Sunshine State to the fullest by learning about the most critical Florida alcohol laws governing the purchase of alcohol, specifically on Sundays.
Where Can You Buy Alcohol in Florida?
You can buy beer, wine, and liqueurs in Florida at convenience, supermarkets, and retail stores. Spirits or liquors are sold in retail package stores. Between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., bars and restaurants stop serving alcohol even though certain counties are permitted to sell alcohol seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Legal Age for Consuming and Serving Alcohol
To purchase and consume alcohol, a person must be 21 years or older. Even a first violation constitutes a felony, facing a penalty of a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. A second violation carries a $1,000 fine and up to a year in prison.
Buying alcohol or attempting to buy alcohol with a forged ID is illegal. It carries a maximum five-year prison sentence and a $5,000 fine.
The penalty for lending someone an ID is a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. The same consequences apply if you use someone else's ID. And the state has the authority to revoke both individuals' licenses for a year.
A person may not sell, give, or serve alcoholic beverages to someone under 21 years of age or permit a person under 21 to consume such beverages on the licensed premises.
Here are some of the important alcohol laws followed in Florida:
- Age to consume: 21
- Age to serve: 18
- Age to pour: 21
- Age to sell (packaged liquor): 18
- Employees under 18 years old are not allowed to sell or serve alcohol.
- In establishments where sales from food make up more than 50% of total sales, minors are allowed in the establishment. No law exists prohibiting minors from sitting at a bar if they are not consuming alcohol.
- Employees must be at least 18 to work in areas of an establishment that sell or serve alcohol for consumption.
What Time Can You Buy Alcohol in Florida?
Except for railroads selling alcohol to passengers on railroad cars, Florida establishments typically don’t sell, serve, or permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. the following morning.
However, in other Florida municipalities, customers can purchase alcohol until 3 a.m. Retailers are not permitted to sell alcohol any time between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m., seven days a week. The days and hours of alcohol sales are primarily under the jurisdiction of Florida's counties and cities.
Along with a few other counties, Miami-Dade is one of the few counties to allow 24-hour sales seven days a week.
Moreover, Florida drinking laws prohibit drinking on public property. This generally includes streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and beaches. However, this prohibition also applies to private property if the owner hasn’t given permission.
What Time Can You Buy Alcohol in Florida on Sunday?
In Florida, you can purchase alcohol on Sundays beginning at 7:00 a.m. This regulation is governed by Florida's alcohol sales laws, specifically outlined in Florida Statutes Chapter 562. It's important to note that local ordinances may impose additional restrictions or regulations on alcohol sales, so it's always a good idea to check with local authorities for any specific guidelines.
Some counties in Florida, such as Baker and Polk, were previously dry on Sundays. Prohibiting alcohol sales on Sundays or until noon is a relic of Blue Laws. A blue law is one restricting activity or sales of goods on Sunday to respect the Christian Sabbath. Virginia passed the first blue law in the American colonies in 1617.
However, in Polk County, beer and wine can now be purchased as early as 7 a.m. on Sundays after county commissioners voted to extend the hours. Before the vote passed, certain parts of the county could not buy alcohol until noon on Sundays. The vote passed 3-2.
What Time Can I Buy Beer in Florida?
Although Florida has specified hours for the sale of alcohol, counties, and municipalities are also allowed to set their own hours. This means that the times you can buy beer will depend on the county.
In Florida, you can buy beer, off and on-premise, Monday through Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. Certain counties allow the sale of alcohol from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Some retailers even allow 24/7 sales.
What Time Does Florida Stop Selling Alcohol?
According to Florida law, counties and incorporated municipalities may enact hours of sale ordinances (§ 562.45(2)(a), Fla. Stat.). If local law does not provide hours of sale, the default hours for sale, consumption, or service of alcohol are limited to 7:00 a.m. to midnight each day (§ 562.14(1), Fla. Stat.).
What Time Do Liquor Stores Close in Florida?
Similar to the situation with Sunday sales, the closing time for liquor stores in Florida depends on the county and potentially the specific city or municipality.
Here's a breakdown:
- Statewide default: Florida law establishes default hours for alcohol sales between 7:00 a.m. and midnight every day. This applies unless a county or municipality enacts its own regulations.
- County and municipal variations: Many counties and municipalities have implemented restrictions or extensions to these default hours. Some allow for extended sales until 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m., while others might have earlier closing times. Additionally, a few specific counties, like Miami-Dade, permit 24/7 sales in certain areas.
Therefore, to determine the closing time for liquor stores in your location, you need to check the specific regulations of your county or municipality. You can find this information on their official websites or by contacting the local Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) board.
For more information on Florida alcohol laws, visit the Official Internet Site of the Florida Legislature.
Enroll With TIPS Today
To ensure you have a thorough understanding of Florida's alcohol laws and your responsibilities as a consumer, consider enrolling in an online Florida Alcohol Responsible Vendor Training course. Our courses provide valuable information on responsible alcohol sales and service, helping you stay informed and compliant. By equipping yourself with the necessary knowledge, you can contribute to a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.
