In Illinois, the laws regarding alcohol sales and consumption can sometimes be a bit confusing. However, I'm here to help clarify the specific time at which you can purchase alcohol on a Sunday.
According to the Illinois Liquor Control Act, the legal opening time for all liquor establishments, including liquor stores, bars, and restaurants, is 7 am from Monday through Saturday. However, on Sundays, there is a slight difference in the opening time.
For liquor stores and bars without a Retail Food License, the legal opening time on Sundays is 11 am. This means that if you are planning to purchase alcohol from a liquor store or visit a bar on a Sunday, you will need to wait until 11 am before they can legally sell alcohol.
On the other hand, if you are interested in buying alcohol from a restaurant or a bar that holds a Retail Food License, the opening time is slightly earlier. Restaurants, or tavern licensees with a Retail Food License, are allowed to begin selling liquor at 9 am on Sundays. This means that you can enjoy a mimosa or a Bloody Mary with your Sunday brunch as early as 9 am.
It's important to note that these opening times apply to both on-premises consumption and off-premises purchase of alcohol. So whether you're planning to visit a bar for a drink or grab a bottle of wine from a liquor store, the same opening times will apply.
Now, let me share a personal experience to give you a better understanding of the situation. Last summer, I had planned a Sunday brunch with my friends at a restaurant known for its fantastic brunch menu and extensive drink offerings. We arrived at the restaurant around 10 am, excited to enjoy a leisurely meal with a few mimosas. However, we were informed by the server that they were not able to serve alcohol until 9 am. We had to wait for an hour before we could order our drinks, but we made the most of it by sipping on some delicious coffee and catching up with each other. Once 9 am rolled around, we indulged in some refreshing mimosas and enjoyed a delightful brunch experience.
To summarize, in Illinois, alcohol sales on Sundays follow a different schedule compared to the rest of the week. Liquor stores and bars without a Retail Food License can start selling alcohol at 11 am on Sundays, while restaurants and bars with a Retail Food License can begin serving alcohol at 9 am. So, if you're planning to purchase alcohol on a Sunday, make sure to keep these opening times in mind to ensure you comply with the legal regulations.