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Tennessee Where to Buy Alcohol (2026)
Conditional: Tennessee is not a control state — both wholesale and retail are private: spirits and wine are sold at private package (liquor) stores, while beer and, since 2016, wine are sold in grocery and convenience stores.
Tennessee is not a control state — both wholesale and retail are private: spirits and wine are sold at private package (liquor) stores, while beer and, since 2016, wine are sold in grocery and convenience stores. The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission is the regulator.
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Where to Buy Alcohol in states bordering Tennessee
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- AlabamaConditional
Alabama is a control state for spirits, so distilled spirits are sold through state ABC stores (and licensed retailers), while beer and table wine are sold at grocery and convenience stores. Availability depends on local wet or dry status.
Verified Jul 23, 2026 · Source: alabcboard.gov · Full Alabama rule →
- ArkansasConditional
Arkansas is not a control state, but spirits are restricted: distilled spirits are sold only at licensed liquor stores (package stores), and grocery and convenience stores may sell beer and wine only. Sales are subject to local wet or dry status.
Verified Jul 23, 2026 · Source: dfa.arkansas.gov · Full Arkansas rule →
- GeorgiaConditional
Georgia is not a control state: beer and wine are sold in grocery and convenience stores, but distilled spirits are sold only in licensed package stores (liquor stores). Retail is privately operated.
Verified Jul 20, 2026 · Source: dor.georgia.gov · Full Georgia rule →
- KentuckyConditional
Kentucky is not a control state: grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations sell beer (and wine where it is locally allowed), but wine and spirits require a separate licensed package (liquor) store or section. Availability varies by local wet or dry status.
Verified Jul 23, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
- MississippiConditional
Mississippi is a spirits "control" state at wholesale: the Department of Revenue is the sole wholesale importer and seller of distilled spirits and of wine over 6.25% alcohol by volume. Spirits and wine are sold by licensed private package stores, not by grocery or convenience stores, and beer and light wine are sold separately where the area is locally wet.
Verified Jul 23, 2026 · Source: dor.ms.gov · Full Mississippi rule →
- MissouriPermitted
Missouri is a license state, not a control state: beer, wine and spirits are sold broadly at grocery, convenience, drug and liquor stores, regulated by the Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Control. There are no state-run liquor stores.
Verified Aug 2, 2026 · Source: atc.dps.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
- North CarolinaConditional
North Carolina is a control state for spirits: distilled spirits are sold only at county-operated ABC stores, or by-the-drink in mixed-beverage outlets, while beer and wine are sold in grocery and convenience stores. ABC stores are closed on Sundays.
Verified Jul 20, 2026 · Source: abc.nc.gov · Full North Carolina rule →
- VirginiaConditional
Virginia is a control state: distilled spirits are sold only at Virginia ABC stores, while beer and wine are sold in grocery and convenience stores and by licensed retailers.
Verified Aug 2, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →
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