Some liquor laws are consistent across the United States, including the fact that you must be at least 21 years old to purchase alcohol, and drinking and driving is illegal. However, other laws relating to liquor vary by state. Here are a few laws that retailers who sell alcohol in Florida must adhere to.
Liquor laws in Florida
Florida is one of only nine states where individual counties can dictate whether alcohol can be purchased on Sundays. Some counties limit Sunday alcohol sales. Most states allow these sales across all counties.
The Sunshine State also limits the type of alcohol that consumers can buy in a grocery store. Only wine and beer sales are permitted in supermarkets. Hard alcohol cannot be sold in the Florida grocery stores, only in liquor stores.
Alcohol drinkers may take advantage of happy hours in Florida. Only eight states do not allow for post-workday discounts. Floridians are also allowed to drink on Election Day when the polls are still open. A couple of states have banned this since Prohibition, when alcohol consumption was forbidden and some saloons were used as polling places.
How an attorney can help
Businesses that sell liquor in Florida would be wise to partner with an attorney, especially if they are new to the industry. An attorney can update them on the latest laws so that they remain in compliance and avoid potentially significant penalties for noncompliance. An attorney may also offer guidance in in the areas of shipping, delivery and negotiating contracts to add value to an alcohol retailer’s ongoing business operations.