← Tennessee alcohol laws›Beer & Wine in Grocery Stores
Tennessee Beer & Wine in Grocery Stores (2026)
Permitted: In Tennessee, groceries and convenience stores sell beer, and they can sell wine only with a retail food store wine license — spirits are package-store only, and dry counties persist.
In Tennessee, groceries and convenience stores sell beer, and they can sell wine only with a retail food store wine license — spirits are package-store only, and dry counties persist. That wine license requires at least 1,200 square feet, at least 20% of taxable sales from food, and a jurisdiction that approved wine sales by local-option election. Wine hours run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday, and Sunday sales have been allowed only since 1 Jan 2019.
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Beer & Wine in Grocery Stores in states bordering Tennessee
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- AlabamaPermitted
In Alabama, groceries and convenience stores sell beer and table wine of up to 16.5% alcohol by volume, but not spirits. Alabama issues no off-premises liquor license to a general retailer, and a package-store licensee may not sell general grocery items, so liquor comes from state ABC stores and licensed package stores. Some counties and municipalities are dry.
Verified Jul 28, 2026 · Source: alabcboard.gov · Full Alabama rule →
- ArkansasPermitted
Arkansas groceries can sell beer and wine under a grocery-store off-premises wine permit, but only if the store sits in wet territory — and many Arkansas counties remain dry. No more than 20% of the store's gross sales may come from alcohol.
Verified Jul 28, 2026 · Source: dfa.arkansas.gov · Full Arkansas rule →
- GeorgiaPermitted
In Georgia, groceries and convenience stores sell beer and wine, but distilled spirits require a separate retail package license — and local rules matter too. A city or county license must be issued before the state one, which is why Sunday sales and availability vary by locality.
Verified Jul 28, 2026 · Source: dor.georgia.gov · Full Georgia rule →
- KentuckyConditional
In Kentucky, groceries and gas stations may sell beer only — not wine and not spirits — and many counties are dry or "moist," so check locally. KRS 243.230(5) bars a quota package license at any premises where a substantial part of the business (10% or more of monthly gross sales) is staple groceries or gasoline. That is why Kentucky supermarkets have a physically separate attached liquor store.
Verified Jul 28, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
- MississippiConditional
In Mississippi, groceries and convenience stores sell beer and light wine of up to 5% alcohol by weight, but standard wine and spirits are package-store only. A 2025 grocery-wine bill died in committee.
Verified Jun 7, 2026 · Source: dor.ms.gov · Full Mississippi rule →
- MissouriPermitted
In Missouri, groceries, convenience stores and gas stations all sell beer, wine and spirits.
Verified Aug 2, 2026 · Source: atc.dps.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
- North CarolinaPermitted
In North Carolina, groceries and convenience stores sell beer and wine — but not spirits, and even beer and wine sales are subject to county or municipal local-option approval. Spirits are sold only in ABC stores, because no North Carolina retail permit authorizes spirituous liquor.
Verified Jul 28, 2026 · Source: abc.nc.gov · Full North Carolina rule →
- VirginiaPermitted
In Virginia, groceries and convenience stores sell beer and wine in closed containers, but spirits are sold only in Virginia ABC stores. A parallel convenience-grocery license carries the same privilege.
Verified Jul 28, 2026 · Source: abc.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →
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