ABC board votes to restrict alcohol sales in Alabama at 11PM each night

Bar 3 ABC board votes to restrict alcohol sales in Alabama at 11PM each night
For the next 120 days, Alabama bars, restaurants, clubs and more will have to cease alcohol sales at 11PM. Photo via Jacob Blankenship for Bham Now

In an effort to fight the spread of COVID-19, the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board voted to suspend on-site sale of alcohol at bars, restaurants and clubs starting at 11PM each night. Learn more.

The Details

On an emergency July 27th meeting, members of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board unanimously decided to prohibit Alabama establishments from serving alcohol after 11PM. Originally, the board planned to cut off alcohol sales at 10PM, but decided to push the deadline back after hearing from local bar and restaurant owners.

According to ABC Administrator Mac Gipson, the limit is meant to find a happy medium between “a complete shutdown and (serving alcohol) until 2AM” Under the new limit, establishments will have a “last call” at 11PM, and drinks need to be off the table by 11:30PM.

Support Local Bars & Restaurants

image 37 ABC board votes to restrict alcohol sales in Alabama at 11PM each night
A scene at Birmingham’s Paper Doll Bar. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

While the order has a 120-day limit, the restrictions will be difficult for many bars and restaurants that rely on the late-night crowd. However, the order does not affect curbside or retail sales, only on-premise consumption. While guests will not be able to order alcohol after 11PM, they are able to order food and more until the establishment closes.

According to the ABC, establishments with ABC licenses are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages in pre-sealed containers to consumers for consumption off the licensed premises. Learn more about local bars and brew pubs that serve drinks to go and bars open for dine-in + patio seating & their precautions.

What are your thoughts about the new ABC order? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know.

Nathan Watson
Nathan Watson

Senior Content Producer + Photographer

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