Can someone help me understand the alcohol laws for hamilton county??? (Chattanooga: sales, to buy)

[Cali2Nooga]

I've searched the previous threads and don't see this topic really spelled out. I currently live in CA where we can purchase beer, wine, and liquor in the grocery store 24/7. Ninety-nine percent of restaurants in my town serve beer and wine, and you can bring your own bottle (i.e. a special bottle for a special occasion) that they will open and serve for a corkage fee. Also, you can have alcohol shipped right to your door. I'm moving to the Chattanooga area and want to understand the differences - not that I'm some alcoholic or anything, but I do really love wine, wine tasting, wine makers dinners, etc. and belong to a wine club where they ship different selections to you each month. I don't want to make some faux pas in a restaurant trying to order alcohol on a Sunday if it's not allowed or something. Can someone help me understand your local alcohol laws???

Also, where's the best place to buy wine in Chattanooga? Thanks!

[dasmarian]

I don't know the complete ins and outs of it, but currently Tennessee has a law that states that wine can only be sold in a liquor store (along with liquor and beer), so you won't find wine at the grocery. However beer is sold at the grocery. This law was probably set to protect liquor stores, but there has been much debate and Tennessee is on the verge of allowing wine in groceries because it will increase tax revenues which are sorely needed by the state. Note that you can't buy liquor at a store on Sunday (of any type) but you can still buy it in restaurants that serve it.

Restaurants generally always serve beer and wine in Hamilton county, and of course some serve liquor as well. I believe in counties surrounding Hamilton that are still alcohol-free, or perhaps which don't have the appropriate licensing, you will find restaurants that allow you to bring your own wine. They usually charge a small amount for corkage. You can bring it and consume it, but not buy it, at those establishments.

I am not sure if you can have liquor shipped into Tennessee, but I doubt it.

In Chattanooga the gold standard for wine stores is probably Riverside Liquors which is next to 24 on Manufacturer's road in North Chatt. I've been there a few times and they have a very large selection, what you would expect for a wine store, and the people working there are quite knowledgeable.

[blindsolitude]

TN just passed a bill allowing residents to purchase a certain amount of wine a year and have it shipped to them. The bill allowing wine in grocery stores was tabled.

[SPLIT]

Das has good info in our changing saga. Maybe small amounts can be shipped into ones house. Has been on the evening news, but dont know the FINAL answer.
. Northern half of Hamilton county has NO liquor stores, above Hixon area. !
. City of Chatt is less than 10 minutes to Georgia line, where your selections will also change . Went to a Tasting for a Art show, sponsor was a Georgia winery, but unable to buy in Tenn , due to regional competition..!!
. Yes beer in all grocery stores , & corner gas stations, but not before 8 am, think 10am on Sunday . Will ask everyone for their Drivers lic ID. Even 60 years old, but actually a tracking feedback if someone is on Probation .
.. Believe there is a Winery with tours/tasting up North near Athens.? Savannah .?
Here is Official Tenn State website trail . http://www.tennesseewines.com/

[2mares]

There is not rhyme nor reason. Alcohol sales are are determined the powers that be within each city and county. In Putnam co. Cookeville city has liquor by the drink in the restaraunts/bars, no liquor store. You cant buy beer between certain hours, different hours on Sunday and not on election day. Baxter within the same county, just passed liquor stores and has a new winery. The small town of Monterey does not allow beer sales in grocery although they are also Putnam co., but you can buy beer just outside the city limits. No rhyme or reason.

[etta]

Beer can be bought 7 days a week at grocery stores. Wine & Liquor stores are not open on Sundays but bars serve wine & liquor 7 days a week. You won't find wine or liquor at gas stations, grocery stores or pharmacies. There are some bars that only sell beer & I've also been to a bar that only sells liquor. I cannot really make sense of it all. The Liquor store dasmarian mentions is my favorite. Directly next door is a beer store where you can refill growlers with regional brews. High gravity beers are sold in liquor/wine shops but never regular beer. So weird! Some restaurants allow you to bring your own wine.

Also, I think you would enjoy wine over water... Wine Over Water Benefiting Cornerstones For Historic Preservation In Chattanooga

[itsajourney]

Just curious--I haven't looked it up, but I would think that there would be wineries in the state of Tennessee, are they allowed to be open on Sunday? and can a winery sell it's wine anytime?

[DrexlerMcStyles]

So in Chattanooga there are a decent amount of liquor stores?

[etta]

For Tennessee wineries info this website has a map as well as FAQ: Welcome to Tennessee Wine Country! (http://www.tennesseewines.com/index.html - broken link)

DrexlerMcStyles- There are plenty of Liquor stores here. Most have a beer/cig shop adjoined to them as well.

[kaylee827]

You can't buy beer before 10am on Sunday