In Texas, the serving of alcohol is regulated by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). The specific hours during which alcohol can be served vary depending on the day of the week.
From Monday to Friday, alcohol can be served from 7 a.m. until midnight. This means that establishments such as bars, restaurants, and other venues with a liquor license can begin serving alcohol as early as 7 a.m. and must stop serving by midnight.
On Saturdays, alcohol service is extended by one hour. This means that alcohol can be served from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. This extra hour allows establishments to continue serving alcohol until the early hours of Sunday.
Sundays have slightly different rules. Alcohol can be served starting at noon, and it can be served until midnight. However, there is an exception to this rule. From 10 a.m. to noon, alcohol can only be served if it is accompanied by the service of food. This means that establishments can serve alcohol during this two-hour window, but only if they are also serving food.
It is important to note that these regulations apply to establishments with a liquor license. Private events or gatherings that do not involve the sale of alcohol may have different rules. Additionally, local ordinances may further restrict or regulate the serving of alcohol, so it is always a good idea to check with the specific city or county where the establishment is located for any additional regulations.
Personally, as a sommelier and brewer, I have had to abide by these regulations when working at various establishments. The varying hours of alcohol service on different days of the week can sometimes be challenging to manage, especially during busy weekends. However, it is crucial to ensure compliance with state and local laws to maintain a responsible and legal operation.
To summarize, in Texas, alcohol can be served from 7 a.m. until midnight on weekdays, from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m. on Saturday (Sunday morning), and from noon until midnight on Sundays (with the exception of 10 a.m. to noon, when alcohol can only be served with the service of food). These regulations help to maintain control and responsibility in the serving of alcohol in Texas.