What Time Does Walmart Start/Stop Selling Alcohol?
Walmart is the largest retailer in the world and a frequent stop for many shoppers looking to pick up household items, groceries, prescriptions, and more. With its convenient locations and broad assortment of merchandise, Walmart has become a popular place for customers to purchase beer, wine, and in some states, distilled spirits. However, the hours for alcohol sales can vary greatly depending on local and state laws. When does your neighborhood Walmart permit alcohol purchases? Read on for more details.
When Does Walmart Begin Alcohol Sales Each Day?
The time that Walmart starts selling alcohol depends on state and county regulations. Most Walmart locations permit alcohol sales somewhere between 6-10 AM each morning. However, some states allow sales beginning as early as 5:30 AM.
For example, Walmart stores in Ohio can start ringing up beer, wine, and liquor purchases at 5:30 AM Monday through Saturday. The start time is slightly later on Sundays at 11 AM. Other early morning alcohol sale start times include:
- Alaska – 6 AM
- Arizona – 6 AM
- California – 6 AM
- Colorado – 8 AM
- District of Columbia – 9 AM
- Idaho – 6 AM
- Illinois – Varies by locality
- Indiana – 7 AM Monday through Saturday, 12 PM on Sunday
- Iowa – 8 AM
- Louisiana – 6 AM Monday through Saturday, 9 AM on Sunday
- Michigan – 7 AM
- Minnesota – 11 AM Monday through Saturday, 12 PM on Sunday
- Mississippi – 10 AM Monday through Saturday, 12 PM on Sunday
- Missouri – 9 AM
- Montana – 10 AM
- Nebraska – 6 AM
- Nevada – 24 hours a day/7 days a week
- New Mexico – 7 AM
- New York – 8 AM
- North Dakota – 8 AM
- Oklahoma – 6 AM
- Oregon – 7 AM
- Rhode Island – 6 AM
- South Dakota – 7 AM
- Texas – 7 AM Monday through Friday, 9 AM Saturday, 12 PM Sunday
- Washington – 6 AM
- Wisconsin – 6 AM
- Wyoming – 6 AM
What Time Does Walmart Stop Selling Alcohol Each Day?
While start times have some variability, the times that Walmart stops selling alcohol products each day have much more diversity depending on local ordinances. Stop times can range anywhere from 8 PM to 2 AM across stores.
Some closing times for alcohol sales include:
- Alaska – 2 AM
- Arizona – 2 AM
- Arkansas – 12 AM
- California – 2 AM
- Colorado – 12 AM
- Connecticut – 9 PM
- Delaware – 12 AM
- District of Columbia – 12 AM
- Florida – 12 AM
- Georgia – 12 AM
- Hawaii – 12 AM
- Idaho – 1 AM
- Illinois – Varies
- Indiana – 12 AM
- Iowa – 2 AM
- Kansas – 12 AM
- Kentucky – 2 AM
- Louisiana – 2 AM
- Maine – 1 AM
- Maryland – 12 AM
- Massachusetts – 11 PM
- Michigan – 2 AM
- Minnesota – 10 PM
- Mississippi – 12 AM
- Missouri – 1:30 AM
- Montana – 2 AM
- Nebraska – 1 AM
- Nevada – 24 hours a day/7 days a week
- New Hampshire – 12 AM
- New Jersey – 10 PM
- New Mexico – 12 AM
- New York – 12 AM
- North Carolina – 2 AM
- North Dakota – 1 AM
- Ohio – 1 AM
- Oklahoma – 2 AM
- Oregon – 2:30 AM
- Pennsylvania – 11 PM
- Rhode Island – 1 AM
- South Carolina – 2 AM
- South Dakota – 2 AM
- Tennessee – 11 PM
- Texas – 12 AM
- Utah – 1 AM
- Vermont – 10 PM
- Virginia – 12 AM
- Washington – 2 AM
- West Virginia – 2 AM
- Wisconsin – 12 AM
- Wyoming – 2 AM
As you can see, end times vary greatly, with some states allowing sales around the clock. Be sure to check your local Walmart for the designated stop time in your area.
What About Sundays and Holidays?
In addition to daily start and stop times, many localities have additional restrictions related to Sundays and major holidays.
Sunday Restrictions
Due to religious customs and norms, some states ban Sunday alcohol sales altogether or have limitation on hours. For example:
- Alabama – Most counties prohibit Sunday sales
- Indiana – Sunday sales permitted from 12 PM to 8 PM
- Kansas – No Sunday sales before 12 PM
- Kentucky – Sunday sales start at 1 PM
- Louisiana – Some parishes allow Sunday sales from noon to midnight
- Maryland – Only two counties (Montgomery and Howard) permit Sunday sales
- Minnesota – No liquor sales on Sundays
- Mississippi – No Sunday sales permitted
- New Jersey – Some counties ban Sunday sales
- Oklahoma – No Sunday liquor sales
- South Carolina – No Sunday liquor sales before 1:30 PM
- Tennessee – No liquor, just beer and wine on Sundays
- Texas – Sunday sales start at 12 PM
- Utah – No Sunday sales permitted
- West Virginia – Sunday sales limited to beer and wine
Holiday Restrictions
Some states also prohibit alcohol sales on major holidays or have limitations. These include:
- New Mexico – No sales on Christmas Day
- Oklahoma – No sales on Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
- South Carolina – No sales between 2 AM and noon on Sundays or Christmas Day
- Tennessee – No sales on Christmas, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, Fourth of July, or Easter
- Texas – No sales on New Year‘s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
- Utah – No sales on New Year‘s Day, Pioneer Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
Be sure to plan your holiday gatherings accordingly!
What Types of Alcohol Does Walmart Sell?
Most Walmart locations have license agreements permitting them to sell only beer and wine. However, some states allow Walmart stores to sell distilled spirits as well. The types of alcoholic beverages you can purchase include:
Beer – Walmart sells a wide variety of domestic, imported, craft, light and non-alcoholic beer options. You can buy individual cans and bottles as well as packs.
Wine – All stores sell red, white, sparkling and fortified wine varieties. Wines are available by the bottle or in boxed options.
Spirits – Select states permit Walmart liquor sales. You may find options like vodka, tequila, whiskey, rum, gin, liqueurs, pre-made co*cktails and shooters. Sales are typically limited to smaller formats only.
Cider – Many stores also stock hard cider varieties as well as non-alcoholic ciders. These are usually sold chilled in the beer aisles.
Coolers – You can also find wine coolers, hard lemonades/teas, hard seltzers like White Claw, twisted teas, and other flavored malt beverages.
The selection varies by location based on local preferences and demand. But you can likely find an assortment of beer, wine, and other alcoholic options.
State-By-State Variations
While we‘ve covered some general guidelines regarding Walmart alcohol sales above, keep in mind that specific requirements can vary greatly depending on your state and county. Some additional notes on certain states:
- Florida – Allows a maximum of 32 ounces of spirits per transaction
- Indiana – Recently permitted Sunday sales and cold beer/wine sales
- Kentucky – Some completely dry counties prohibit sales
- Maryland – Montgomery County allows sales at just 13 Walmart locations
- Oklahoma – Recently permitted wine/beer sales in 2018
- Pennsylvania – Walmart obtains special exemptions to sell beer at select locations
- Rhode Island – Only beer and wine permitted, no liquor
- Texas – Can only sell beer and wine due to licensing regulations
- Utah – Can sell beer/wine under 5% ABV
Be sure to check your specific county and city rules and regulations regarding alcohol sales at Walmart.
Walmart Alcohol Policies
Walmart aims to comply with all local and state requirements related to responsible alcoholic beverage sales. As a retail chain spanning many jurisdictions, the company recognizes vast differences across markets. However, Walmart does uphold several standard policies company-wide:
- Requires customer signature and ID check for alcohol purchases – Valid forms include state-issued driver‘s licenses and ID cards, passports, military IDs and more.
- Trains and certifies Walmart associates on responsible alcohol sales practices
- Reserves the right to refuse sales to intoxicated customers per state requirements
- Prohibits alcohol sales via EBT/SNAP or WIC benefits
- Sets limitations on online alcohol order sizes and requires age verification at pickup/delivery
Additionally, Walmart Only accepts the following forms of payment for alcohol purchases:
- Cash
- Debit/Credit Cards – Must show valid matching photo ID
- Walmart Gift Cards – Present valid photo ID at time of purchase
- Checks – With valid driver‘s license from check writer‘s state
Can You Buy Alcohol Online from Walmart?
If you are age 21 or older, Walmart does permit ordering beer, wine and spirits through its Grocery App or website for delivery or pickup. However, there are some important rules to know about online alcohol orders:
- Requires customer date of birth and signature at pickup/delivery
- Customer must show valid ID matching the order recipient‘s name
- Alcohol cannot exceed 20 gallons per transaction
- No discounts, coupons or promotional offers apply
- Delivery drivers can refuse drop-off to visibly intoxicated customers
So while convenient, you still need to go through an age verification process with online alcohol orders from Walmart.
The Bottom Line
When you can purchase beer, wine, and liquor at your neighborhood Walmart depends on a wide range of factors. These include your city, county, and state regulations, what type of alcohol license your store obtained, as well as shifting legislation and requirements. Before stopping into Walmart for a six-pack or bottle of wine, be sure to check on the permitted alcohol sale hours for your location. In most cases, you should be able find an assortment of alcoholic beverage options conveniently close by. Just plan your shopping trip accordingly and bring a valid ID!
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