Three Arkansas Cities Approve Sunday Alcohol Sales
Voters in Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, and El Dorado backed Sunday retail alcohol sales, while a similar measure failed in Redfield.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Gambling
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Voters in Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, and El Dorado approved Sunday retail alcohol sales for off-premises consumption in last week's election. Liquor stores and gas stations in those cities can begin Sunday sales once certified election results are delivered.
Why it matters
The approvals bring Sunday alcohol sales to Central and southern Arkansas, where Hot Springs and Pine Bluff are the first Central Arkansas cities to adopt seven-day sales. Twenty-four Arkansas cities already allowed Sunday sales before this vote, and state officials point to tourism and revenue potential as reasons the change is spreading.
Unofficial returns show Hot Springs approving the measure 6,575 to 3,858, Pine Bluff 4,792 to 4,495, and El Dorado 2,489 to 2,005, while Redfield rejected it 238 to 250. Certified copies of the results are expected by the end of the week, and the state requires signatures equal to 15% of prior gubernatorial ballots to place such a measure on the ballot.
The players
Tyler Draper
Tyler Draper was elected Hot Springs city director in the November 3, 2026 election held alongside the alcohol sales measure.
The details
Committee volunteers collected signatures to place the measure on each city's ballot. Once certified copies of the results reach the state, liquor stores and gas stations in the three approving cities can begin selling alcohol on Sundays.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Election held; Tyler Draper elected Hot Springs city director.
As of Friday, November 6, 2026: Unofficial returns reported for all four cities.
By the end of the week of November 2, 2026: Certified election result copies expected from the three approving cities.
Market Landscape
The three approvals extend a patchwork of local decisions under which 24 Arkansas cities already allowed Sunday alcohol sales before this vote. Northwest Arkansas cities moved first, and the state spokesperson cited Missouri-bound residents as evidence that Sunday sales could be a valuable revenue source.
Residents of Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, and El Dorado will be able to buy alcohol at liquor stores and gas stations on Sundays once certified results are delivered. Some Hot Springs retailers are expected to keep Sunday closed or shift to a Tuesday-off or Wednesday-off schedule.
The takeaway
Residents who buy alcohol on weekends in the three approving cities should check local retailers' Sunday hours once sales begin. Retailers may set their own schedules, so confirming before a trip avoids surprises.
What happens next
Certified copies of the Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, and El Dorado results are expected by the end of the week, after which Sunday sales can begin in those cities.
Further reading
Explore more on Gambling to see how local alcohol and gaming rules are shaping Arkansas communities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
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