Happy Monday, Raleigh. Trevor here. 👋 As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I’m fairly new to the Raleigh area. One thing that I didn’t know before I moved here were the state’s alcohol laws, or ABC laws. Don’t worry, N.C., I still love you all the same.
Happy hours flooded the streets of Lakeland, Florida (where I came from) everyday, and almost every hour of the week, but here, they are outlawed. Did you know that N.C. is one of 13 states with government control of liquor distribution and retail? I was intrigued by these findings, so I decided to do some more digging and found a full list of ABC laws in N.C. Below is a list of laws that you may or may not have heard of… I definitely didn’t know about them. Cheers to my fellow North Carolinians. 🍻
Is Happy Hour legal in N.C.?
🍺 No. A business is not allowed to sell alcohol to a limited group of people or a limited amount of time. The deal must encompass the whole business day and be available to everyone 21 years or older.
Can an individual order more than one drink at a time?
🍺 No. One drink per one individual is allowed. An individual may not order two drinks at once.
Can a bartender sell a “double” drink to a single person?
🍺 Yes. A double is still considered one drink and can be given to one individual as long as it’s poured into one glass when served.
Is a pitcher of margaritas considered one drink in N.C.?
🍺 No. If a beverage is considered a pitcher it must be sold to more than one person.
Can an individual be sold a bucket of beer?
🍺 No. The bucket falls under the same category as a pitcher and must be served to more than one person.
Is a shot and a beer considered one drink?
🍺 Yes. To make things simpler, the state considers a shot and a beer to both be one drink.
Can a business run a BOGO deal on alcohol?
🍺 No. A business cannot run any special that indicates an individual must buy more than one drink to get a discount (no BOGO, no buy one get one for a nickel, etc.)
Is there a certain holiday that a business can offer a meal + alcoholic drink in a package deal?
🍺 Yes. ABC Rule 2S.232 (d) (e) states, “an on‐premise permittee may include alcoholic beverages in a package offering that includes a meal or entertainment if the offered special is made in conjunction with the following holidays: New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day.”
