The rise of cannabis beverages
Could cannabis beverages ever replace traditional alcohol?
- The alcohol laws in Mississippi greatly differ by county, with some regions entirely dry.
- Beer, wine, and spirits have unique regulations and different places of sale; package stores cannot sell beer or light alcoholic beverages.
- While liquor stores remain closed on Sundays, on-premise drinking is permitted in designated locations, and beer sales typically occur 24/7, subject to local regulations.
- Although Mississippi currently forbids wine shipments, a new law effective July 1, 2025, will permit limited direct-to-consumer wine shipping with a 15.5% tax.
- Mississippi is the sole state without an open container law, yet driving under the influence remains illegal.
Navigating Mississippi’s liquor laws can be complex, particularly for newcomers or visitors. The availability of wine, liquor, and beer can be influenced by the time, day, and local regulations.
With 82 counties in Mississippi, keeping track of local ordinances can be challenging. Some counties or cities do not permit alcohol sales at all.
According to Alcoholic Beverage Control, 34 counties are designated as dry for beer sales; however, most have at least one wet city or town. Additionally, 36 counties are dry for alcohol sales altogether.
Below are essential points to help you navigate buying alcohol in Mississippi, whether at stores, bars, restaurants, casinos, or resorts.
Where can I purchase beer, alcohol, and wine in Mississippi?
Beer is regulated separately from distilled spirits and wine in the state.
Package stores are not permitted to sell beer, light wine, or light spirits.
Beer with an alcohol content greater than 8% by weight is illegal in Mississippi. Drinks made from wine with less than 5% alcohol, such as coolers, are classified as light wine. Beverages made with spirits containing less than 6% alcohol by weight are classified as light spirits.
Convenience and grocery stores are prohibited from selling alcoholic drinks. This includes wine exceeding 5% alcohol and spirits above 6%. These products fall under the jurisdiction of the ABC, which is under the Department of Revenue.
What are the operating hours for purchasing alcohol, beer, and wine in Mississippi?
Certain areas are designated resort zones by the commissioner, and establishments with on-site consumption permits in these resort areas are not bound by the state’s specific operational hours. In resort communities with extended hours for alcohol sales, beer sale hours remain the same.
Package stores are authorized to operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday for off-premises consumption. Sales on Sundays are prohibited, and these stores do not receive extended hours in resort areas.
Locations for on-premise consumption, such as bars and restaurants, can sell alcohol from 10 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday.
Is it possible to buy alcohol in Mississippi on Sunday?
Mississippi is one of four states where liquor stores must close on Sundays, along with North Carolina and Utah. Texas, while closing liquor stores, allows grocery and convenience stores to sell beer and wine from 10 a.m. to midnight.
The Magnolia State allows for beer sales for off-site consumption 24/7; however, local regulations may restrict the hours of sale and whether beer is available on Sundays. Beer sold for on-site consumption is allowed from 7 a.m. to midnight daily. Local laws may impose stricter limits on these hours, but cannot extend them.
Three proposals aimed at changing Sunday alcohol sales in Mississippi were not advanced during the 2025 legislative session: House Bill 92, HB 105, and Senate Bill 2581.
Can I purchase a drive-thru daiquiri in Mississippi?
Yes. State regulations permit drive-thru daiquiri and other alcohol sales. Always check local ordinances for further guidance.
In many jurisdictions, a piece of tape over the straw hole of a lid qualifies as a closed container.
What are the rules for transporting open containers in Mississippi? Can passengers drink in a car in Mississippi?
Mississippi is unique in that it lacks an open container law, as per the National Conference of State Legislatures. In contrast to other states, there are no restrictions preventing drivers or passengers from having alcoholic beverages in the passenger areas of the vehicle.
Nonetheless, the state prohibits operating a vehicle while under the influence. For most drivers, this implies a blood alcohol limit of 0.08%, while commercial drivers are held to a 0.04% limit, and individuals under the legal drinking age have a limit of 0.02%.
May I transport alcohol from another state into Mississippi?
The ABC warns that any liquor or beer may be seized, and you could incur a fine.
Is it possible to have wine shipped to me from out of state?
No. The ABC prohibits both in-state and out-of-state wine shipments, unless a permit is granted by the Mississippi Department of Revenue.
However, a recent change is on the horizon.
Governor Tate Reeves signed legislation in February that will allow individuals to receive up to 12 cases of wine annually. Certain restrictions apply. Only specialty wines and those not available in package stores may be shipped, and a 15.5% tax will be applied.
This new law is set to go into effect on July 1, 2025.
Can I purchase alcohol on Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s Day?
While blue laws restrict sales on Sundays and Christmas Day, there are generally no limitations on New Year’s Day in most places.
On Christmas Day, package stores are prohibited from selling alcohol statewide. However, establishments offering on-site consumption, like restaurants, can operate as usual.
State laws tend to be accommodating for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Venues for on-site consumption can stay open until 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day, which is later than usual. If New Year’s Eve falls on a Sunday, they may open from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. (The next occurrence of New Year’s Eve on a Sunday will be in 2028.)
For details on alcohol sales specific to your local area, visit the ABC website. Notably, only Cleveland mandates that package stores close on Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
What about alcohol sales on Election Day?
Mississippi does not impose any special alcohol sales restrictions on Election Day.
In contrast, Massachusetts and Alaska prevent sales while polls are open on Election Day, reopening them once polling concludes.
Did you know that some states prohibit happy hour?
Eight states either ban or restrict Happy Hour promotions:
- Alaska.
- Indiana.
- Massachusetts.
- North Carolina.
- Oklahoma.
- Rhode Island.
- Utah.
- Vermont.
Contributing: Grant McLaughlin, Isabelle Butera and Iris Seaton
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. You can reach her at bbolden@gannett.com.
