Sunday Alcohol Sales in Atlanta: Are Liquor Stores Open?

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering whether you can buy liquor on a Sunday, the answer is yes — but with some important restrictions. Atlanta follows both state alcohol laws and local city rules, which affect when and where you can buy alcohol, especially on Sundays.

Below is a clear breakdown of how Sunday liquor sales work in Atlanta so you know exactly what to expect.

Are Liquor Stores Open on Sunday in Atlanta?

Yes, many liquor stores in Atlanta are open on Sunday, but they can only sell liquor during specific hours allowed by Georgia law and local ordinances.

In Atlanta:

• Liquor stores (package stores) may be open on Sunday.
• They can typically sell beer, wine, and distilled spirits during approved Sunday hours.
• Individual store hours can vary, and not every liquor store chooses to open on Sundays.

To avoid surprises, it’s smart to check the specific store’s hours before you go, especially around holidays or in neighborhoods right on the city border, where rules may differ just across the line.

Understanding Georgia’s Sunday Alcohol Laws (As They Apply in Atlanta)

Alcohol rules in Atlanta are shaped by Georgia state law plus local city and county decisions.

Here’s the basic framework that affects Sunday sales:

State-Level Basics

Across Georgia, there are long-standing rules that affect when alcohol can be sold:

• No sales after a certain late-night cutoff (varies by local ordinance).
• Special rules for Sundays and holidays, especially for package liquor stores.
• Different rules for on-premises vs. off-premises sales.

Local Control in Atlanta

The City of Atlanta has chosen to allow Sunday alcohol sales with set hours. This includes:

• Off-premises sales (alcohol you take home), such as:
  • Liquor stores / package stores
  • Grocery stores
  • Convenience stores
• On-premises sales (alcohol consumed where you buy it), such as:
  • Restaurants
  • Bars and lounges
  • Hotels and event venues with the proper licenses

Because of this, Atlanta residents and visitors can generally buy liquor on Sundays, as long as they shop during legally permitted times.

Typical Sunday Hours for Alcohol Sales in Atlanta

Specific hours can be updated by local officials, and a store or bar might choose to open later or close earlier. However, here’s a simple reference-style overview of what Atlanta consumers usually encounter:

*These are general patterns, not guaranteed hours. Always confirm with the specific business.

The Difference Between Liquor Stores and Other Retailers

In Atlanta, it helps to distinguish between where you’re buying alcohol on Sunday:

1. Liquor Stores (Package Stores)

These are specialty stores licensed to sell distilled spirits (vodka, whiskey, tequila, etc.), often along with wine and beer.

• You buy bottles and take them home — no on-site drinking.
• They follow strict Sunday and daily hour rules.
• Many Atlanta liquor stores now do open on Sundays, but:
  • Some may open later in the day.
  • Some may choose to stay closed on Sundays for business reasons.

2. Grocery Stores and Big-Box Retailers

Large grocery chains and some big-box retailers in Atlanta commonly sell:

• Beer
• Wine
• Sometimes malt beverages and ready-to-drink products

These stores typically:

• Follow the same general Sunday window for off-premises alcohol sales.
• May allow you to buy groceries earlier than you can buy alcohol on Sunday, depending on their policies and local rules.

3. Convenience Stores and Gas Stations

Many convenience stores and gas stations in Atlanta sell:

• Beer
• Wine

On Sunday:

• They usually can sell during the same approved Sunday hours for off-premises alcohol.
• Some locations may stop selling earlier than the legal cutoff, based on store policy or staffing.

On-Premises vs. Off-Premises Drinking on Sunday

Atlanta’s laws separate where you consume what you buy:

On-Premises (You Drink It There)

Examples:

• Restaurants
• Bars and lounges
• Hotel bars
• Sports venues and entertainment complexes

On Sundays in Atlanta:

• Many restaurants and bars serve alcohol during brunch, lunch, and dinner hours.
• They must follow:
  • City of Atlanta licensing rules
  • Sunday service start times
  • Nighttime cutoffs

If you’re planning Sunday brunch with mimosas or a night out, you will generally have no trouble finding places serving alcohol legally.

Off-Premises (You Take It Home)

Examples:

• Liquor/package stores
• Grocery stores
• Convenience stores

On Sundays in Atlanta:

• These businesses can sell sealed containers of alcohol to-go within permitted hours.
• Drinking alcohol in public spaces is limited or prohibited in most areas, except in some designated entertainment districts with specific open-container rules.

What About Holidays and Special Events?

Certain holidays and special situations may affect liquor store hours in Atlanta:

• Some package stores close voluntarily on major holidays like:
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year’s Day (varies by business)
• Local festivals, sports events, or downtown celebrations may:
  • Increase enforcement of open-container or public drinking rules.
  • Lead some stores or bars to extend or reduce hours within the legal limits.

If you’re planning for a holiday weekend or a big event in Atlanta, it’s wise to:

• Call the liquor store directly.
• Check posted signage at the store entrance.
• Confirm with your hotel concierge or host.

City Limits Matter: Atlanta vs. Nearby Areas

One important detail: “Atlanta” can mean different things depending on boundaries.

• The City of Atlanta spans multiple counties (including parts of Fulton and DeKalb).
• Surrounding cities and unincorporated county areas (for example, Sandy Springs, Decatur, College Park, East Point, Marietta) may have:
  • Different Sunday sales hours.
  • Different rules for liquor vs. beer and wine.

If you are:

• Right on the edge of city limits, or
• Staying near a suburb that shares an Atlanta mailing address

then the rules might change just a few blocks away. This is especially important if:

• You’re using a navigation app that lists multiple “Atlanta” locations.
• You see very different hours between stores that are physically close but in different jurisdictions.

When in doubt, ask the store or check the city listed on your receipt to know which rules apply.

How to Confirm Current Sunday Alcohol Rules in Atlanta

Alcohol regulations can occasionally be updated. To verify the most current Sunday rules for Atlanta, you can contact local government offices that handle alcohol licensing and enforcement.

City of Atlanta – Office of Revenue (Alcohol Licensing)

The City of Atlanta’s Office of Revenue manages alcohol licenses for businesses operating in city limits.

• Office of Revenue – City of Atlanta
• Location: Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Main City Hall Phone: (404) 330-6000
  (You can ask to be directed to the alcohol licensing or revenue division.)

They can provide:

• Clarification on current Sunday sales hours for on-premises and off-premises.
• Information about local ordinances that affect liquor stores and other alcohol retailers.

Fulton County & DeKalb County Offices (For Areas Outside City Limits)

If you are in an area near Atlanta that is not actually inside city limits, you may need to check with:

• Fulton County Government (for unincorporated Fulton County)
  • Main information line: (404) 612-4000
• DeKalb County Government (for unincorporated DeKalb County)
  • Central information line: (404) 371-2000

Ask for help with alcohol regulation or business licensing to confirm Sunday rules in that jurisdiction.

Practical Tips for Buying Liquor on Sunday in Atlanta

To make Sunday alcohol shopping smoother in Atlanta, keep these points in mind:

• ✅ Plan for mid-day or afternoon: If you go too early Sunday morning, the alcohol section may be closed or sales may be restricted until the legal start time.
• ✅ Check individual store hours: Especially for independent liquor stores and smaller markets, which may open later or close earlier than big chains.
• ✅ Watch the clock in the evening: There’s usually a nighttime cutoff for off-premises sales; you may be refused at the register even if the store itself is still open.
• ✅ Be mindful of ID requirements: Stores and bars in Atlanta consistently check valid government-issued photo ID, especially on busy nights and weekends.
• ✅ Don’t rely on delivery at the last minute: Alcohol delivery services must also follow Sunday and cutoff-time rules; last-minute orders may be declined.

In practical terms: Yes, liquor stores in Atlanta are generally open and allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays, but you need to shop within the legally permitted Sunday hours and remember that exact store schedules and nearby city rules can differ. If you’re ever unsure, a quick call to the store or a check with Atlanta’s city offices can clear it up before you head out.