House Bill 1518 makes changes to Texas’ most recent liquor bill. Guests can now order alcoholic beverages from hotel bars. On Sunday, alcoholic beverages will be served at any time of day; however, liquor stores are still not permitted to sell alcoholic beverages on Sunday.
Alcoholic Beverages on Sunday
This new rule will only be in effect if the bar is located within the hotel. A bar or restaurant that is not affiliated with a hotel may only sell alcoholic beverages from noon to midnight on Sunday and from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday with food purchases.
If a festival, fair, or concert has the proper licenses and permits, they can sell alcoholic beverages between 10 a.m. and noon Sunday, a source posted.
Under the new law, HB 1024, establishments holding mixed beverages and private club permits can sell alcohol such as mixed drinks, wine, beer, and malt beverages with food orders. It includes alcoholic beverages with food orders for either pickup or delivery, according to TABC. And like beer and wine sales, the charges can only be made after 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Blue Laws in Texas
A person may sell, offer for sale, or deliver malt beverages between the hours of 7 a.m. Monday through midnight on Friday until Friday, and Saturday nights until 1 a.m. on Sunday. Most liquor stores in Texas are closed on Sunday, including holidays such as New Year’s Day and Christmas Day.
Blue laws limit the sale of certain items, such as liquors, to liquor stores and other entities that sell alcohol. A state, a city, a county, or another level of government can enforce laws.
According to experts, blue laws have existed in Texas since the nineteenth century. Except for liquor stores, most are now a thing of the past.
