Texas liquor stores are required by state law to close for over 60 hours straight from New Year’s Eve through New Year’s Day, leaving many residents hurriedly stocking up on alcohol ahead of the long dry spell.
The Law Behind the Extended Closure
Under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, liquor stores are prohibited from selling alcohol on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. [1] This restriction closes liquor stores for a total of 61 straight hours from the end of business on Saturday, December 31st until early Tuesday morning, January 3rd. [2]
The extended closure is mandated by state law and strictly enforced. Liquor stores that violate the shutdown period risk heavy fines and suspension or cancellation of their liquor license. [3]
| Day | Date | Hours Closed |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | December 31, 2023 | Close at end of business, ~9 PM |
| Sunday | January 1, 2023 | All day |
| Monday | January 2, 2023 | All day |
| Tuesday | January 3, 2023 | Reopen in early morning |
Rush to Stock Up Before Dry Spell
The impending 61-hour closure of liquor stores across Texas has residents hurrying to stock up on alcohol before the New Year’s weekend.
Liquor stores are reporting a significant uptick in business as customers load up their carts to prepare for the long dry period when stores must remain shuttered. [4] Some liquor stores have extended their hours on New Year’s Eve to capture as much last-minute business as possible.
The rush to stock up on liquor is an annual tradition in Texas leading up to the New Year’s holiday weekend. Over the years, liquor stores have come to depend on the profit boost during the final days of December.
Impact on New Year’s Eve Celebrations
The mandated 61-hour closure of liquor stores is likely to put a damper on some New Year’s Eve celebrations across Texas.
Party hosts may find their alcohol stockpiles run short with no opportunity to replenish from liquor stores during the long holiday weekend. This could lead to watered-down cocktails or an earlier than expected end to the festivities.
Bars and restaurants should still have liquor available for New Year’s Eve revelers. However, demand is expected to be high which may make securing a table reservation more difficult and expensive.
For after-parties on New Year’s Day or casual get-togethers on January 2nd, non-alcoholic beverages will likely become the norm with liquor stores remaining closed.
Looking Ahead to 2024
While liquor stores will only be closed for 61 hours over this year’s New Year’s weekend, the dry period promises to be even longer in 2024. [5]
Since New Year’s Day 2024 falls on a Monday, the state-mandated closure will span 4 full days from Saturday evening through early Thursday morning. Liquor stores are slated to be closed for over 80 hours straight leading to an even greater rush to stock up at the end of 2023.
The extended closure periods for holidays like New Year’s are likely to continue generating controversy and discussion around modernizing Texas liquor laws in coming years. But for now, residents can only brace themselves each December for the impending dry spell.
References
- https://www.statesman.com/story/business/2023/12/28/texas-liquor-stores-closed-61-hours-new-years-eve-day-weekend-laws-restrictions/72050719007/
- https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas/2023/12/30/texas-liquor-stores-will-close-over-new-years-eve-new-years-day/
- https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-liquor-stores-to-be-closed-over-new-years-holiday/amp/
- https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-liquor-stores-to-be-closed-over-new-years-holiday/
- https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas/2023/12/30/texas-liquor-stores-will-close-over-new-years-eve-new-years-day/?outputType=amp
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