Which US states curbed alcohol sales over Thanksgiving?

Many states in the US still adhere to centuries-old ‘blue laws’ that restrict or ban the sale of alcoholic beverages over major holidays including Thanksgiving. db cuts through the tangle of different sub-rules.

First enacted by Puritans (English Protestants who came to North America in the 17th century to establish a more religiously pure society), blue laws were originally intended to encourage religious observance on Sundays and public holidays.

Rumoured to have been named after the blue paper on which they were written, the laws limited certain activities such as drinking alcohol, gambling, hunting, playing sports, travelling, and buying and selling goods. Many forms of public entertainment were also prohibited. According to Britannica, in the 18th Century the word ‘blue’ was also used to refer to someone who was perceived to be “morally rigid.”

Many historians believe that the first blue laws were enforced in the state of Virginia, and while today many US states such as California and Oregon have chosen to repeal them, there are plenty that continue to adhere to the laws.

But it’s not nearly as clean cut as that.

Lack of parity

The below list published by Newsweek highlights the complications and lack of parity regarding alcohol sales in the US, a reality that is by no means contained to Thanksgiving.

Even within those states which restrict alcohol sales in either full or partial observation of the blue laws, there are key differences between them.

For example, some of the below states sanction the sale of pre-packaged beer and wine, but not spirits, while others permit alcohol sales within the on-trade (bars, hotels and restaurants), but not the off-trade (retailers). Furthermore, Utah only allows consumers to buy beer with an ABV of up to 5.0% at supermarkets. There is also a significant difference between state-owned liquor stores (which widely enforce a total ban on alcohol sales at Thanksgiving and other holidays) and privately-owned liquor stores, which may have more flexibility to determine their own rules.

According to the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, “groups that support these restrictions hope to curb excessive consumption and the related public health and safety issues.”

The US states that still enforce blue laws to some degree

Alabama: all retail alcohol stores closed on Thanksgiving, according to the state’s ABC Board. But grocery and convenience stores still permitted to sell pre-packaged beer and wine.

Connecticut: no off-trade alcohol sales of any kind, per the state’s Department of Consumer Protection.

Delaware: no off-trade alcohol retail sales, according to The Delaware Online Code.

Georgia: package stores stayed open on Thanksgiving, and alcohol sales are legal statewide, though a few counties ban them on Thanksgiving day itself.

Idaho: sales of hard liquor banned from state-run stores, but consumers could still buy beer and wine.

Kansas: total ban on Thanksgiving for most retailers such as retail liquor stores and CMB off-trade retailers, according to its Department of Revenue.

Kentucky: some, but not all, counties within the state prohibit alcohol sales on Thanksgiving.

Louisiana: some local parishes ban alcohol sales on Thanksgiving.

Maine: consumers can only buy alcohol as long as the retailer is no bigger than 5,000 square feet, according to the state legislature.

Massachusetts: it is forbidden to sell alcohol on Thanksgiving, according to the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.

Minnesota: total ban on Thanksgiving, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Mississippi: wine, beer, and spirits sales banned on Thanksgiving Day.

Montana: beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores, but liquor sales are banned. A pending bill (House Bill 867) would allow liquor stores to open on Sundays and holidays if signed into law.

Nevada: alcohol sales permitted unless you are in a “dry” area. But these towns represent a very small proportion of the state.

New Hampshire: all liquor and wine outlets close due to the state’s policy of prohibiting sales in government-run liquor stores.

New Jersey: about 30 municipalities within this state still ban alcohol sales on Thanksgiving.

North Carolina: beer and wine sales permitted, but not liquor sales, on Thanksgiving.

North Dakota: total ban on Thanksgiving booze.

Ohio: You can’t buy ‘spirituous liquor’ (bottles over 42 proof) on Thanksgiving Day.

Oklahoma: retail liquor stores closed, but some pre-packaged wines and beers are available at grocery and convenience stores.

Oregon: some private, non-state-controlled stores open on Thanksgiving, according to the Liquor Control Commission, but state-controlled stores typically closed on public holidays.

Pennsylvania: liquor stores controlled by the state closes for the holidays, according to the Liquor Control Board, but some privately owned outlets may stay open.

Rhode Island: total ban on retail sales of alcohol on Thanksgiving Day, per the Department of Business Regulation.

Tennessee: you can buy beer, but not wine, and all liquor stores close.

Texas: you can’t buy liquor, but grocery stores can sell pre-packaged wine and beer.

Utah: all state-controlled stores close on Thanksgiving, according to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services. Consumers can buy beer with an ABV of up to 5.0 percent at supermarkets.

Virginia: state-controlled stores close for the holidays, but some private stores may still sell alcohol.

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