Alcohol Delivery in Atlanta: What You Need to Know Before You Order

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta, Georgia, you can usually get alcohol delivered to your home, hotel, or office—but there are rules, limits, and local nuances you should understand first.

This guide explains how alcohol delivery works in Atlanta, who can use it, when it’s allowed, and what to watch out for so you can stay on the right side of Georgia and City of Atlanta laws.

Can You Get Alcohol Delivered in Atlanta?

Yes, you can get alcohol delivered in Atlanta, including:

• Beer
• Wine
• Spirits (liquor)

Delivery is generally allowed from licensed retailers (like package stores and some supermarkets) and restaurants that hold the proper alcohol licenses, as long as:

• The buyer is at least 21 years old
• The delivery address is in an area where alcohol sales are legal
• The delivery happens during legal alcohol sale hours
• The delivery is made to a person, not left unattended

Atlanta follows Georgia state law, layered with City of Atlanta ordinances, so your experience might differ slightly depending on exactly where in the metro area you are.

Who Can Get Alcohol Delivered?

To receive alcohol delivery in Atlanta, you must:

• Be 21 or older
• Show a valid, government-issued photo ID at the door (for example, driver’s license, state ID, passport)
• Be sober enough for the driver to complete the delivery (drivers can refuse delivery if they believe the recipient is intoxicated)
• Be physically present to accept the order (no “leave at door” for alcohol)

If you’re staying in a hotel in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near the airport, you can typically have alcohol delivered to:

• The lobby (you show ID there), or
• Your room, depending on hotel policies

It’s common for hotels in Atlanta to require that deliveries be made to the front desk rather than directly to rooms, so check with your hotel first.

Where in Atlanta Can Alcohol Be Delivered?

In general, delivery is allowed:

• To residential addresses (houses, apartments, condos)
• To hotels
• To offices and businesses (if someone 21+ can receive and sign)

However, deliveries must respect:

• Local “wet” or “dry” rules in certain parts of metro Atlanta
• Restrictions around schools, churches, and other sensitive areas, which mainly affect where stores and restaurants are licensed, not your private home

If your address is within Atlanta city limits and local zoning doesn’t restrict it, alcohol delivery is usually allowed. In nearby jurisdictions like Sandy Springs, Decatur, College Park, or East Point, rules can differ slightly, so if you’re near a city boundary, the availability of delivery might change by address.

When Can You Get Alcohol Delivered in Atlanta?

Alcohol delivery must follow legal sale hours for alcohol in Georgia and the City of Atlanta. These can change, but a practical rule of thumb is:

*Exact hours depend on state law + City of Atlanta ordinance + license type. Many retailers and restaurants will cut off delivery well before the latest legal limit.

Key points:

• You cannot get alcohol legally delivered outside of legal sale hours, even if an app lets you place the order.
• Some parts of metro Atlanta may have stricter Sunday rules.
• Restaurants and stores may set earlier cutoffs than the law requires, based on staffing or company policy.

If your order is placed near closing time, it may be:

• Rejected
• Delivered only if the driver can reasonably complete it before the cutoff

How Alcohol Delivery Works in Atlanta

1. You Place an Order

Most people in Atlanta order alcohol:

• Through delivery apps, or
• Directly from local package stores, supermarkets, or restaurants that offer delivery

You typically:

1. Enter your Atlanta-area address
2. Choose your beer, wine, or liquor
3. Confirm you’re 21+
4. Pay with a credit or debit card (cash is rarely allowed for alcohol delivery)

2. The Retailer or Restaurant Prepares Your Order

Behind the scenes, the order usually goes to a:

• Licensed package store (for beer, wine, and liquor), or
• Licensed restaurant or bar (for cocktails to-go, wine, or beer with food, where allowed)

They must:

• Confirm the order is legal (time, address, and stock)
• Package it so it complies with Georgia’s open container rules (for example, sealed containers, or tamper-evident packaging for to-go cocktails)

3. A Driver Delivers and Checks Your ID

At delivery, expect the driver to:

• Ask for your photo ID
• Compare your face to the ID photo
• Sometimes have you sign or confirm the order in an app

If:

• You don’t have valid ID
• You appear under 21
• You appear significantly intoxicated

…the driver can refuse to hand over the alcohol and may return it to the store or restaurant. You might be charged a cancellation or restocking fee, depending on the service.

Alcohol is not supposed to be left:

• With a minor
• Dropped at the door
• In a lobby with no age-verified recipient

What Types of Alcohol Can Be Delivered?

In Atlanta, you’ll commonly find:

• Beer – from domestic brands to local Atlanta and Georgia craft breweries
• Wine – including red, white, sparkling, and boxed wines
• Spirits – whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and others, from licensed package stores
• Ready-to-drink cocktails – canned or bottled mixed drinks
• In some cases, cocktails to-go from restaurants, if they follow packaging and food requirements under Georgia law and local rules

Each license type (retailer vs. restaurant) has different rules:

• Package stores usually can deliver full bottles of beer, wine, and liquor.
• Restaurants and bars are often limited to:
  • Alcohol with a food purchase
  • Specific types of containers and sealed packaging
  • Certain quantities per order

Legal Requirements and Responsibilities

Alcohol delivery in Atlanta is governed mainly by:

• Georgia state law (Title 3 of the Official Code of Georgia)
• City of Atlanta alcohol ordinances
• Local rules in Fulton County and DeKalb County (depending on which side of the city you’re in)

Some important legal points:

• You must be 21 or older to purchase or receive alcohol.
• It is illegal to:
  • Provide alcohol to someone under 21
  • Use a fake ID
  • Ask a delivery driver to hand alcohol over to a minor or a visibly intoxicated person
• Retailers and restaurants must hold:
  • A valid alcohol license for on-premises or off-premises sales
  • Any specific delivery permissions required by local law

Delivery drivers may be:

• Employees of the retailer/restaurant, or
• Third-party contractors carrying alcohol under special rules that require:
  • Training
  • ID checks
  • Compliance with route and delivery requirements

Common Situations for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

Ordering to an Apartment or Condo

In Midtown, Buckhead, or Downtown high-rises:

• Make sure your unit number and access instructions (gate codes, call box details) are accurate.
• Some buildings require deliveries to the front desk or package room.
• You will still need to show ID personally.

Ordering to a Hotel

Common in areas like:

• Downtown Atlanta near State Farm Arena or Georgia World Congress Center
• Midtown near Piedmont Park or the Fox Theatre
• Buckhead near Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza
• Airport area hotels near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Check with the hotel:

• Some allow deliveries only to the lobby
• Staff may call your room when the driver arrives
• You must present ID to complete the delivery

Ordering During Major Events

During large events (sports, conventions, concerts):

• Delivery times can be longer due to traffic or demand.
• Some services pause or limit alcohol delivery in areas with heavy congestion or road closures.
• Ordering earlier in the evening often avoids cutoff surprises.

Safety, ID, and Responsible Use

Atlanta drivers and retailers are expected to follow responsible service practices. That typically means:

• Refusing delivery if:
  • No valid ID is available
  • A minor tries to take the order
  • The recipient appears heavily intoxicated
• Keeping alcohol in sealed containers and not allowing open containers in vehicles

If you’re planning to drink:

• Consider not driving at all. Atlanta has:
  • MARTA rail and bus lines
  • Taxis and rideshare services
• Be aware of open container laws—you generally cannot walk around public streets in Atlanta with an open alcoholic beverage, except in certain designated entertainment districts where local rules allow it.

How to Check Current Rules and Get Official Information

Because alcohol laws can change, it’s wise to confirm details if you have a specific question—especially about hours, license types, or business permits.

Useful local government contacts:

City of Atlanta – Office of Revenue (Alcohol Licenses)

• Purpose: Questions about city alcohol licenses, local rules, or business permissions
• Location:
  City of Atlanta – Office of Revenue
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
• Phone (main city line): 404-330-6000
  Ask to be directed to the Office of Revenue – Alcohol Licensing.

Fulton County and DeKalb County Government

If you’re on the Fulton County side of Atlanta (most of the city):

• Fulton County Government Center
  141 Pryor St SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
• Phone (main): 404-612-4000

If you’re on the DeKalb County side (parts of East Atlanta and surrounding areas):

• DeKalb County Administration Building
  1300 Commerce Dr
  Decatur, GA 30030
• Phone (main): 404-371-2000

You can ask to be connected to departments that handle alcohol licensing or regulatory questions.

Key Takeaways for Alcohol Delivery in Atlanta

• ✅ Yes, you can get alcohol delivered in Atlanta, including beer, wine, and spirits.
• ✅ You must be 21+ with valid photo ID, and present in person at the time of delivery.
• ✅ Delivery follows state and local sale hours, and some areas or days (especially Sundays) have added restrictions.
• ✅ Alcohol must be delivered by a licensed retailer or restaurant, or their authorized delivery partners, following Georgia law.
• ✅ Drivers can and do refuse delivery if ID is missing, the recipient appears underage, or clearly intoxicated.

If you keep your ID handy, order during legal hours, and respect local rules, alcohol delivery in Atlanta can be a straightforward and legal option for residents and visitors alike.