Introduction
Blue laws, or Sunday laws, are laws that limit commercial and entertainment activities on a certain day, typically Sunday, for religious observance and rest. Most often, blue laws bar the sale or purchase of alcohol. Though blue laws have a historically religious basis, therefore raising constitutional concerns under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, they were upheld as constitutional by the United States Supreme Court in the case of McGowan v. Maryland. The Court’s decision left the implementation and enactment of blue laws to each state.
While most blue laws have been repealed in the country after the American War of Independence (1775-1783), there are still many states that have stricter regulations on alcohol and car sales on Sundays. Conversely, only five states (Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia) outlaw the sale of hard liquor. To add, ten states do not have state-wide blue laws, but allow each county to decide for itself.
Learn for yourself how blue laws change by state by investigating the data in the charts.
| State | Alcohol Sunday Restrictions | Drinking Law Exceptions | Consumption of Distilled Spirits | Alcohol Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | Local Option | No Exceptions | 5,200,227 gal | $13.03 |
| Arkansas | Local Options | No Exceptions | 4,541,883 gal | $8.41 |
| Connecticut | Local Options | Family Exceptions | 8,170,589 gal | $5.4 |
| Florida | Local Options | No Exceptions | 51,085,736 gal | $6.2 |
| Georgia | Local Options | Family and Location Exceptions | 15,545,319 gal | $6.5 |
| Idaho | Local Options | Family and Location Exceptions | 3,402,467 gal | $5.98 |
| Illinois | Local Options | Family Exceptions | 22,838,096 gal | $10.91 |
| Kentucky | Local Options | No Exceptions | 8,811,961 gal | $2.5 |
| Louisiana | Local Options | Family and Location Exceptions | 9,303,865 gal | $8.33 |
| Maryland | Local Options | Family and Location Exceptions | 11,879,812 gal | $11.96 |
| Massachusetts | Local Options | Family Exceptions | 16,499,058 gal | $5.03 |
| Michigan | Local Options | No Exceptions | 22,384,480 gal | $11.95 |
| Nebraska | Local Options | Location Exceptions | 2,899,600 gal | $3.75 |
| Nevada | Local Options | Family and Location Exceptions | 9,598,737 gal | $3.6 |
| New Jersey | Local Options | Location Exceptions | 21,723,609 gal | $5.5 |
| New Mexico | Local Options | Family and Location Exceptions | 3,373,702 gal | $6.06 |
| North Dakota | Local Options | No Exceptions | 2,180,687 gal | $5.12 |
| Ohio | Local Options | Family Exceptions | 16,716,114 gal | $9.83 |
| Oklahoma | Local Options | Location Exceptions | 5,363,479 gal | $5.56 |
| South Dakota | Local Options | No Exceptions | 1,372,167 gal | $4.67 |
| Washington | Local Options | Family Exceptions | 13,509,654 gal | $33.22 |
| West Virginia | Local Options | No Exceptions | 2,079,221 gal | $7.62 |
| Alaska | No Restrictions | Family and Location Exceptions | 1,856,775 gal | $12.8 |
| Arizona | No Restrictions | No Exceptions | 12,170,354 gal | $3 |
| California | No Restrictions | Family and Location Exceptions | 75,177,380 gal | $3.3 |
| Colorado | No Restrictions | Family and Location Exceptions | 15,646,400 gal | $2.28 |
| Mississippi | No Restrictions | Family and Location Exceptions | 5,810,487 gal | $8.11 |
| Montana | No Restrictions | Family Exceptions | 2,481,481 gal | $9.75 |
| North Carolina | No Restrictions | No Exceptions | 16,762,721 gal | $14.58 |
| South Carolina | No Restrictions | Location Exceptions | 8,640,758 gal | $5.42 |
| Texas | No Restrictions | Family Exceptions | 46,815,366 gal | $2.4 |
| Utah | No Restrictions | No Exceptions | 3,798,510 gal | $15.92 |
| Alabama | Restricted | No Exceptions | 7,820,520 gal | $19.11 |
| Delaware | Restricted | Family and Location Exceptions | 4,279,456 gal | $4.5 |
| Hawaii | Restricted | Family Exceptions | 2,346,738 gal | $3.79 |
| Indiana | Restricted | No Exceptions | 14,338,534 gal | $8.55 |
| Iowa | Restricted | Family and Location Exceptions | 6,379,038 gal | $2.68 |
| Maine | Restricted | Family and Location Exceptions | 3,353,216 gal | $3.03 |
| Minnesota | Restricted | Location Exceptions | 14,660,981 gal | $9.01 |
| Missouri | Restricted | No Exceptions | 14,905,584 gal | $2 |
| New York | Restricted | Family Exceptions | 34,658,345 gal | $6.44 |
| Oregon | Restricted | Family and Location Exceptions | 9,042,428 gal | $21.95 |
| Rhode Island | Restricted | Family Exceptions | 2,924,048 gal | $5.4 |
| Tennessee | Restricted | No Exceptions | 13,623,775 gal | $4.46 |
| Vermont | Restricted | No Exceptions | 1,089,753 gal | $7.68 |
| Wisconsin | Restricted | Family Exceptions | 16,868,513 gal | $3.25 |
| Wyoming | Restricted | Family and Location Exceptions | 1,645,718 gal | $0 |
| New Hampshire | Restricted in Some Locations | No Exceptions | 6,020,699 gal | $0 |
| Pennsylvania | Restricted in Some Locations | No Exceptions | 17,668,252 gal | $7.21 |
| Virginia | Restricted in Some Locations | Family and Location Exceptions | 13,645,830 gal | $19.89 |
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions by State
Alabama
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
7,820,520 gal
Ranked in the US
#29
$19.11
Ranked in the US
#4
Alaska
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
No Restrictions
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
1,856,775 gal
Ranked in the US
#47
$12.8
Ranked in the US
#8
Arizona
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
No Restrictions
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
12,170,354 gal
Ranked in the US
#21
Ranked in the US
#44
Arkansas
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
4,541,883 gal
Ranked in the US
#35
$8.41
Ranked in the US
#16
California
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
No Restrictions
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
75,177,380 gal
Ranked in the US
#1
$3.3
Ranked in the US
#41
Colorado
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
No Restrictions
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
15,646,400 gal
Ranked in the US
#13
$2.28
Ranked in the US
#48
Connecticut
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Family Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
8,170,589 gal
Ranked in the US
#28
$5.4
Ranked in the US
#31
Delaware
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
4,279,456 gal
Ranked in the US
#36
$4.5
Ranked in the US
#36
Florida
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
51,085,736 gal
Ranked in the US
#2
$6.2
Ranked in the US
#25
Georgia
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
15,545,319 gal
Ranked in the US
#14
$6.5
Ranked in the US
#22
Hawaii
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
Family Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
2,346,738 gal
Ranked in the US
#44
$3.79
Ranked in the US
#38
Idaho
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
3,402,467 gal
Ranked in the US
#38
$5.98
Ranked in the US
#27
Illinois
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Family Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
22,838,096 gal
Ranked in the US
#5
$10.91
Ranked in the US
#11
Indiana
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
14,338,534 gal
Ranked in the US
#17
$8.55
Ranked in the US
#15
Iowa
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
6,379,038 gal
Ranked in the US
#30
$2.68
Ranked in the US
#45
Kansas
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Option
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
5,200,227 gal
Ranked in the US
#34
$13.03
Ranked in the US
#7
Kentucky
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
8,811,961 gal
Ranked in the US
#26
$2.5
Ranked in the US
#46
Louisiana
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
9,303,865 gal
Ranked in the US
#24
$8.33
Ranked in the US
#17
Maine
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
3,353,216 gal
Ranked in the US
#40
$3.03
Ranked in the US
#43
Maryland
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
11,879,812 gal
Ranked in the US
#22
$11.96
Ranked in the US
#9
Massachusetts
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Family Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
16,499,058 gal
Ranked in the US
#12
$5.03
Ranked in the US
#34
Michigan
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
22,384,480 gal
Ranked in the US
#6
$11.95
Ranked in the US
#10
Minnesota
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
14,660,981 gal
Ranked in the US
#16
$9.01
Ranked in the US
#14
Mississippi
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
No Restrictions
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
5,810,487 gal
Ranked in the US
#32
$8.11
Ranked in the US
#18
Missouri
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
14,905,584 gal
Ranked in the US
#15
Ranked in the US
#49
Montana
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
No Restrictions
Family Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
2,481,481 gal
Ranked in the US
#43
$9.75
Ranked in the US
#13
Nebraska
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
2,899,600 gal
Ranked in the US
#42
$3.75
Ranked in the US
#39
Nevada
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
9,598,737 gal
Ranked in the US
#23
$3.6
Ranked in the US
#40
New Hampshire
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted in Some Locations
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
6,020,699 gal
Ranked in the US
#31
Ranked in the US
#50
New Jersey
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
21,723,609 gal
Ranked in the US
#7
$5.5
Ranked in the US
#29
New Mexico
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
3,373,702 gal
Ranked in the US
#39
$6.06
Ranked in the US
#26
New York
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
Family Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
34,658,345 gal
Ranked in the US
#4
$6.44
Ranked in the US
#23
North Carolina
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
No Restrictions
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
16,762,721 gal
Ranked in the US
#10
$14.58
Ranked in the US
#6
North Dakota
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
2,180,687 gal
Ranked in the US
#45
$5.12
Ranked in the US
#33
Ohio
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Family Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
16,716,114 gal
Ranked in the US
#11
$9.83
Ranked in the US
#12
Oklahoma
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
5,363,479 gal
Ranked in the US
#33
$5.56
Ranked in the US
#28
Oregon
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
9,042,428 gal
Ranked in the US
#25
$21.95
Ranked in the US
#2
Pennsylvania
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted in Some Locations
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
17,668,252 gal
Ranked in the US
#8
$7.21
Ranked in the US
#21
Rhode Island
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
Family Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
2,924,048 gal
Ranked in the US
#41
$5.4
Ranked in the US
#32
South Carolina
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
No Restrictions
Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
8,640,758 gal
Ranked in the US
#27
$5.42
Ranked in the US
#30
South Dakota
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
1,372,167 gal
Ranked in the US
#49
$4.67
Ranked in the US
#35
Tennessee
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
13,623,775 gal
Ranked in the US
#19
$4.46
Ranked in the US
#37
Texas
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
No Restrictions
Family Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
46,815,366 gal
Ranked in the US
#3
$2.4
Ranked in the US
#47
Utah
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
No Restrictions
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
3,798,510 gal
Ranked in the US
#37
$15.92
Ranked in the US
#5
Vermont
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
1,089,753 gal
Ranked in the US
#50
$7.68
Ranked in the US
#19
Virginia
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted in Some Locations
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
13,645,830 gal
Ranked in the US
#18
$19.89
Ranked in the US
#3
Washington
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
Family Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
13,509,654 gal
Ranked in the US
#20
$33.22
Ranked in the US
#1
West Virginia
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Local Options
No Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
2,079,221 gal
Ranked in the US
#46
$7.62
Ranked in the US
#20
Wisconsin
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
Family Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
16,868,513 gal
Ranked in the US
#9
$3.25
Ranked in the US
#42
Wyoming
Alcohol Sunday Restrictions
Restricted
Family and Location Exceptions
Consumption of Distilled Spirits
1,645,718 gal
Ranked in the US
#48
Ranked in the US
#51
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