What Time Do They Stop Selling Beer in Texas? Beer, Wine & Liquor Sale Hours Explained (2026)

Ben Michael
November 19, 2025
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Quick answer: Beer sales in Texas stop at midnight Monday through Friday, 1:00 a.m. on early Sunday morning (Saturday night), and midnight on Sunday for stores and other off-premise retailers. Bars and restaurants with a late-hours permit may continue serving alcohol until 2:00 a.m.

If you’re trying to buy beer late at night in Texas, timing matters, especially on weekends.

Last updated: May 2026

What Time Do They Stop Selling Beer in Texas?

Texas beer sales hours depend on:

  • the day of the week
  • whether the alcohol is sold for off-premise or on-premise consumption
  • local ordinances
  • whether a business holds a late-hours permit

For most grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores, beer sales stop at:

Day Beer Sales Begin Beer Sales Stop
Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m. Midnight
Saturday 7:00 a.m. 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning
Sunday 10:00 a.m. Midnight

Source: Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code §§ 105.05 and 105.06.

Can You Buy Beer in Texas Right Now?

Here’s the practical breakdown:

Time Can You Buy Beer?
Before 7:00 a.m. Monday–Saturday No
7:00 a.m. to midnight Monday–Friday Yes
After midnight most nights No
Saturday night until 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning Yes
Sunday before 10:00 a.m. No
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to midnight Yes

What Time Do Gas Stations and Grocery Stores Stop Selling Beer in Texas?

Gas stations, grocery stores, Walmart locations, and convenience stores follow the same Texas off-premise alcohol sales laws.

That means beer and wine sales generally stop at:

  • midnight Monday through Friday
  • 1:00 a.m. early Sunday morning (Saturday night)
  • midnight Sunday night

Retailers cannot legally sell beer outside those hours.

What Time Does Walmart Stop Selling Beer in Texas?

Most Walmart stores in Texas stop selling beer and wine at the same legally permitted times as other grocery stores:

  • Midnight Monday–Friday
  • 1:00 a.m. early Sunday morning (Saturday night)
  • Midnight Sunday

Individual store operating hours may vary, but Texas law prevents sales outside legal alcohol-sale hours.

When Can You Buy Wine or Liquor in Texas?

Texas alcohol laws treat beer, wine, and liquor differently.

Beer and Wine Sales Hours in Texas

Grocery Stores, Convenience Stores, and Gas Stations

Day Sales Hours
Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m. to midnight
Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to midnight

Liquor Store Hours in Texas

Texas liquor stores may sell distilled spirits only during the following hours:

Day Liquor Store Hours
Monday–Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed

Liquor stores in Texas are also closed on:

  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year’s Day

If Christmas Day or New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, liquor stores must also close the following Monday.

Source: Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code § 105.10.

Why Are Liquor Stores Closed on Sundays in Texas?

Texas still restricts Sunday liquor sales because of historic “blue laws.” Blue laws are laws historically tied to religious or moral restrictions on Sunday commerce.

Over time, Texas has relaxed many alcohol laws, including expanding Sunday beer and wine sales to begin at 10:00 a.m. in 2021. However, Texas still prohibits package liquor store sales on Sundays.

Can Bars Sell Alcohol Later Than Midnight?

Yes. Certain bars, clubs, and restaurants with a late-hours permit may continue serving alcohol until 2:00 a.m.

Without a late-hours permit, standard service hours are:

Day Standard On-Premise Service Hours
Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m. to midnight
Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to midnight

Sunday Alcohol Service Rules at Restaurants

Texas restaurants and bars may serve alcohol:

  • from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Sunday, if food is also served
  • from noon to midnight on Sunday without a food requirement

Late-hours permit holders may continue service until 2:00 a.m.

Can You Buy Beer After Midnight in Texas?

Usually no.

Retail stores like Walmart, grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores generally cannot sell beer after midnight.

The main exception is early Sunday morning (Saturday night), when beer sales may continue until 1:00 a.m.

Bars with late-hours permits may continue alcohol service until 2:00 a.m.

Can You Buy Beer at 2 a.m. in Texas?

Not at stores.

However, some bars and clubs with late-hours permits may continue serving alcohol until 2:00 a.m.

What Time Can You Buy Beer on Sunday in Texas?

You can typically buy beer at:

  • 10:00 a.m. Sunday at grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores
  • 10:00 a.m. at restaurants if food is also purchased

Texas expanded Sunday alcohol sales hours in 2021.

Why Can’t You Buy Beer Before 10 a.m. on Sunday?

Texas law restricts Sunday morning alcohol sales as part of longstanding blue-law regulations.

Although the laws have gradually loosened over time, off-premise beer and wine sales still cannot begin before 10:00 a.m. Sunday.

Are Texas Alcohol Laws the Same Statewide?

Mostly, but not entirely.

Texas has statewide alcohol-sale laws under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, but local governments can still impose certain restrictions through local-option elections and ordinances.

Some Texas counties and precincts remain partially “dry,” meaning they may restrict:

  • liquor sales
  • Sunday sales
  • on-premise sales
  • certain permit types

Availability can vary by city, county, or precinct.

Dry Counties in Texas

According to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), a small number of Texas counties still maintain significant alcohol-sale restrictions under local-option laws.

Texas alcohol laws can differ substantially by:

  • county
  • city
  • justice precinct
  • ZIP code

Before purchasing alcohol in a rural area, it is smart to verify local restrictions.

Hotel Alcohol Sales in Texas

Certain hotels with specialized permits may serve registered guests outside standard alcohol service hours.

Hotels must meet specific state licensing requirements to qualify for extended alcohol service privileges.

Winery Alcohol Sales Hours in Texas

Texas wineries may generally sell wine:

Day Winery Sales Hours
Monday–Saturday 8:00 a.m. to midnight
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to midnight

Texas wineries operate under different permit structures than grocery stores or liquor stores.

Alcohol Sales at Stadiums, Festivals, and Concerts

Licensed vendors at:

  • sports venues
  • festivals
  • fairs
  • concert venues

may generally sell alcohol during these hours:

Day Sales Hours
Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m. to midnight
Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to midnight

Holiday Alcohol Sales in Texas

Holiday alcohol rules in Texas can be confusing because beer, wine, and liquor follow different laws.

Can You Buy Beer on Christmas in Texas?

Usually, yes, if the retailer is open and operating during legal alcohol-sale hours.

Beer and wine sales generally follow standard daily sales hours, even on holidays.

Can You Buy Liquor on Christmas in Texas?

No.

Texas liquor stores must close on:

  • Christmas Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • New Year’s Day
  • Sundays

Frequently Asked Questions

When do they stop selling beer in Texas?

Beer sales typically stop at:

  • midnight Monday through Friday
  • 1:00 a.m. early Sunday morning (Saturday night)
  • midnight Sunday

What time can you buy beer in Texas during the week?

Beer sales generally begin at 7:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

Can you buy beer after midnight in Texas?

Usually no. Retail stores generally cannot sell beer after midnight except until 1:00 a.m. early Sunday morning (Saturday night).

Can bars sell alcohol until 2 a.m. in Texas?

Yes, if the business holds a late-hours permit.

What time can you buy beer on Sunday in Texas?

Most stores can begin selling beer at 10:00 a.m. Sunday.

Why are liquor stores closed on Sundays in Texas?

Texas still maintains Sunday liquor-sale restrictions under historic blue laws.

Are Texas alcohol laws the same statewide?

Mostly, but local ordinances and local-option elections can create differences between counties and cities.

Can gas stations sell beer after midnight in Texas?

No. Gas stations must follow Texas off-premise alcohol sales laws.

What is the legal drinking age in Texas?

The legal drinking age in Texas is 21.

However, minors may legally consume alcohol in the visible presence of a parent, legal guardian, or adult spouse.

What is a blue law?

Blue laws are laws historically designed to restrict certain Sunday activities, often for religious or cultural reasons.

Texas blue laws still affect Sunday liquor sales and certain business operations.

READ MORE: What is the legal alcohol limit in Texas?

Key Takeaways

  • Beer and wine are usually available earlier and on Sundays
  • Liquor stores are closed on Sundays and major holidays
  • Bars and restaurants can usually serve later, often up to 2 a.m.
  • Local rules matter: Sales hours may vary in some locations due to local ordinances

Key Takeaways

  • Beer and wine are usually available earlier and on Sundays
  • Liquor stores are closed on Sundays and major holidays
  • Bars and restaurants can usually serve later, often up to 2 a.m.
  • Local rules matter: Sales hours may vary in some locations due to local ordinances

Texas Alcohol Laws and the TABC

Texas alcohol sales are regulated by the:

  • Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
  • Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code

Key statutes include:

  • Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code § 105.05
  • Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code § 105.06
  • Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code § 105.10

Official resources:

Sources: This article is based on research from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, and publicly available Texas regulatory guidance regarding alcohol sales hours, late-hours permits, Sunday alcohol service, local-option laws, and holiday restrictions.

Note: This article was written by Ben Michael, Managing Partner of Michael & Associates (Texas Bar Card #24088055). It was originally published on August 5, 2024, and has been reviewed for accuracy by Michael & Associates' research team and staff attorneys.

 

Ben Michael

About Ben Michael

Ben Michael is the founder and Managing Partner of Michael & Associates, and has nearly a decade of experience in criminal defense here in Austin, TX. He is an experienced criminal defense attorney who has spent nearly a decade helping those accused of crimes achieve the best possible outcome. He has successfully defended hundreds of clients, handling all sorts of legal issues, including DWI, assault, domestic violence, sex crimes, possession of controlled substances, expungement cases, and…

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