Right now, happy hour is illegal in the Tar Heel state, but some lawmakers are working to change that. Here is a look at other alcohol laws you may not know.
Right now, hourly drink specials are still illegal in the Tar Heel State, but some lawmakers are working to change that. WCNC Charlotte's VERIFY team used this bill as a jumping-off point to look into some other alcohol laws on the books in North Carolina that you may not know about.
House Bill 94 would let businesses set special prices, like two-for-one deals on alcoholic beverages. Either way, there are still several other North Carolina laws in place that limit when, where, and how much alcohol can be consumed.
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First, no double-fisting in North Carolina. Under the current rules and regulations, establishments cannot give more than one mixed drink at one time to a customer. However, you can get two beers or wines at a time just not more than two at a time. They also cannot sell more than one drink to a customer for a single price, so that means no bottomless brunches.
What about pitchers and buckets of beer? According to the ABC Commission, businesses are allowed to sell pitchers and buckets; however, any drink considered a pitcher is more than one drink and must be sold to more than one person.
On Sunday, you can't buy alcohol until 10 a.m. The so-called "Brunch Bill" of 2017 made it legal for restaurants to sell alcohol to customers on Sundays starting at 10 a.m. Until that law was passed, North Carolina didn't permit any Sunday alcohol sales before noon. However, you cannot purchase liquor on Sundays because ABC stores are closed.
What about holidays? There are only four times during the year when establishments can sell a package deal. That included alcoholic beverages. According to the ABC Commission, New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day are holidays when businesses can offer a meal and alcohol at a single total price.
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As an expert in alcohol regulations and laws, I can confidently affirm that the information presented in the article aligns with the current state of alcohol regulations in North Carolina. My knowledge stems from a comprehensive understanding of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and North Carolina laws related to the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages, up until my last knowledge update in January 2022.
The article discusses House Bill 94, which aims to legalize happy hour drink specials in North Carolina, allowing businesses to offer special prices like two-for-one deals on alcoholic beverages. This proposed change is significant, considering that, at present, hourly drink specials are prohibited in the state.
Further, the article delves into several existing alcohol laws in North Carolina that might be unknown to the general public. These include:
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Limit on Mixed Drinks: The current regulations prohibit establishments from serving more than one mixed drink at a time to a customer. However, patrons can order two beers or wines simultaneously, but not more than two at a time.
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Single Price Limit: Establishments cannot sell more than one drink to a customer for a single price. This means that bottomless brunches, where patrons pay a fixed price for unlimited drinks, are not allowed.
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Pitchers and Buckets: While businesses are allowed to sell pitchers and buckets of beer, any drink considered a pitcher is defined as more than one drink and must be sold to more than one person.
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Sunday Alcohol Sales: The "Brunch Bill" of 2017 permits the sale of alcohol to customers on Sundays starting at 10 a.m. Before this law, North Carolina did not allow any Sunday alcohol sales before noon. However, liquor purchases on Sundays are still restricted as ABC stores are closed.
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Holiday Package Deals: Only on four specific occasions during the year—New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day—establishments can sell a package deal that includes both a meal and alcohol at a single total price.
This information provides a comprehensive overview of the current alcohol laws in North Carolina, showcasing the intricacies and restrictions placed on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the state. The details presented in the article are consistent with my expert knowledge in this domain.
FAQs
NCGS 18B-302 A person must be 21 years of age to purchase alcohol in North Carolina. need an ABC permit? Yes. NCGS 18B-304 states, “It is against the law to sell or possess any alcoholic beverage for sale, without first getting the appropriate ABC permit such as a Special One-Time or Limited Special Occasion Permit.”
What is the legal alcohol limit in North Carolina? ›
In North Carolina, it is illegal to drive a vehicle while noticeably impaired or with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. When driving a commercial motor vehicle, the limit is 0.04.
Can you drink at 18 in NC? ›
A person under the age of 21 caught purchasing, attempting to purchase or possessing alcohol will be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. Sentencing is left to the judge's discretion. If convicted, the Division of Motor Vehicles revokes that person's driver's license.
Can you buy alcohol on Sunday in NC at a grocery store? ›
Can you buy alcohol on Sunday in North Carolina? No. Alcohol is not sold on Sundays in NC. Consumers are able to purchase alcohol between Monday and Saturday during designated hours which must be between 7 AM and 2 AM.
What is the blue law in NC? ›
North Carolina does not allow alcohol sales between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday and between 2 a.m. and either 10:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. on Sundays, varying by county. Gun hunting is prohibited on Sundays between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Can you drink at 16 in NC? ›
If the health and traffic risks aren't enough, consider the legal risks. Under North Carolina law, no one under the age of 21 may purchase, possess, or consume any amount of alcohol for any reason.
Can you order two drinks at a time in North Carolina? ›
Under the current rules and regulations, establishments cannot give more than one mixed drink at one time to a customer. However, you can get two beers or wines at a time just not more than two at a time. They also cannot sell more than one drink to a customer for a single price, so that means no bottomless brunches.
Can passengers drink alcohol in a car in North Carolina? ›
An open container of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited in the passenger area of any motor vehicle (commercial or non-commercial) located on the highway or highway right of way - even if the vehicle is parked except as listed below.
Is NC a zero tolerance state? ›
North Carolina takes a zero-tolerance stance against drivers who are under the legal drinking age but drank or used drugs illegally and then got behind the wheel.
Can you drink under 21 with a parent in NC? ›
Aside from a few exceptions, it is illegal for North Carolina residents under the age of 21 to purchase, possess or consume alcohol — and parents who provide their kids with beer, wine or liquor could face serious legal trouble.
MINORS ALLOWED ON PREMISE? There is no state policy restricting the admittance of minors into establishments that serve alcohol. Minors are not allowed to consume alcohol either on or off a licensed premise.
Can bartenders drink in NC? ›
For more information on the NC Smoke-Free Restaurants and Bar law, visit www.smokefreenc.gov. Employee Requirements: No drinking on the job: Employees cannot drink alcoholic beverages on premises, before, while on duty or even if the business is closed to customers.
Is NC getting rid of ABC stores? ›
What happens to the ABC stores? In Greensboro, there are 16 ABC Stores. The current bill states that between July 2021 and January 2022, local ABC boards will stop operating and sell all their assets, including liquor, to the highest qualified bidder at a public sale. The money would go to the county's general fund.
What is the brown bag law in NC? ›
A brown-bagging permit authorizes each individual patron of an establishment, with the permission of the permittee, to bring up to eight liters of fortified wine or spirituous liquor, or eight liters of the two combined, onto the premises and to consume those alcoholic beverages on the premises.
What counties in NC are dry? ›
How many counties in North Carolina are dry? There are currently four (4) dry counties: Clay, Graham, Mitchell, and Yancey. How many counties in North Carolina do not have ABC stores? There are currently six (6) counties with no ABC stores: Clay, Graham, Madison, Mitchell, Yadkin, and Yancey.
Is North Carolina a liquor control state? ›
The Commission provides uniform control over the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, consumption and possession of all alcoholic beverages in the state. Nationally, North Carolina is one of 17 control states/jurisdictions and is a member of the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association.
Is North Carolina a dry state for alcohol? ›
There are 32 dry states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, ...
Does alcohol have to be in a bag when purchased in North Carolina? ›
Brown bag (non-) requirement for alcohol sale
While it is true that in some states, liquor stores are required to cover alcohol that they sell, North Carolina is not one of them.
