July 21, 2026 | DUI
For decades, Indiana was one of the last remaining states that banned all Sunday carryout alcohol sales. If you wanted to buy beer, wine, or liquor from a store on a Sunday, you were simply out of luck. That changed a few years back when Governor Eric Holcomb signed Senate Bill 1, and the law has continued to evolve since then.
Still, the rules around Sunday sales remain more restrictive than many people realize. Misunderstanding these laws can put both consumers and business owners at risk of serious consequences, so read on for what you need to know about how Sunday alcohol sales work in Indiana today.
Current Sunday Alcohol Sales Hours in Indiana
Under Indiana Code § 7.1-3-1-14, licensed establishments may sell alcoholic beverages Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. the following day. On Sundays, the rules change depending on where the sale takes place.
Bars and restaurants that hold the proper permits can serve alcohol on Sundays during the same hours as on any other day of the week, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Retail carryout sales follow a different schedule. Liquor stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, and pharmacies may only sell carryout alcohol on Sundays between noon and 8:00 p.m.
These restrictions apply to all types of alcoholic beverages. Carryout alcohol sales are also prohibited on Christmas Day, regardless of which day of the week it falls on.
Who Must Follow Indiana’s Sunday Alcohol Sales Restrictions?
Many people mistakenly believe Indiana’s Sunday alcohol restrictions apply to every place that serves alcohol. In reality, the rules primarily affect businesses selling alcohol for off-premises consumption, such as liquor stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, and pharmacies. Restaurants and bars with the appropriate permits may continue serving alcoholic beverages during their normal operating hours.
Consumers should also remember that purchasing alcohol during legal Sunday hours does not change Indiana’s laws regarding public intoxication, operating while intoxicated, or underage drinking. Those offenses can still result in criminal charges regardless of when or where the alcohol was purchased.
Alcohol-Related Criminal Charges You Should Be Aware Of
Although Indiana’s Sunday alcohol sales law primarily affects retailers, alcohol-related offenses remain common on weekends. Understanding these laws can help consumers avoid criminal charges that carry far more serious consequences than a citation for an improper sale.
Several of the most common criminal charges in this area of the law include:
Public Intoxication
Under Indiana law, this is a Class B misdemeanor if your level of intoxication endangers your life or the safety of another person, disturbs the peace, or causes alarm to someone nearby. Simply being intoxicated in public is not enough on its own to result in charges.
Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)
Indiana prohibits operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. A first offense OWI with a BAC below 0.15% is generally charged as a Class C misdemeanor, carrying up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. If your BAC reaches 0.15% or above, the charge rises to a Class A misdemeanor with penalties of up to one year in jail and fines up to $5,000.
Underage Possession
Individuals under 21 who are caught possessing or consuming alcohol face severe criminal penalties as well. An underage driver operating a vehicle with a BAC of at least 0.02% can also be charged with an infraction and face license suspension for up to one year.
Selling Outside Legal Hours
Retailers who sell alcohol outside the permitted Sunday window risk administrative penalties from the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, including potential suspension or revocation of their permits.
Each of these offenses carries its own set of consequences. The penalties can also increase significantly if you have prior convictions on your record.
Contact the Indianapolis DUI Lawyers at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers for Help Today
Indiana’s Sunday alcohol laws are much less restrictive than they once were, but they still contain important limitations that consumers and businesses should understand. If an alcohol-related incident leads to criminal charges, the consequences can extend far beyond a fine and may affect your driver’s license, employment, and future opportunities.
If you have been charged with an OWI, public intoxication, underage alcohol offense, or another alcohol-related crime, the experienced Indianapolis DUI attorneys at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers are ready to help. Contact us today at (317) 759-2599 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options.
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers – Indianapolis
101 W Ohio St #2000,
Indianapolis, In 46204
(317) 759-2599
