ARKANSAS, USA — Those hoping for a festive cocktail this holiday season will need to plan ahead as multiple Arkansas laws will affect alcohol sales around Christmas, and some stores across the state will be closed for over two days.
Arkansas law notoriously requires that liquor stores be closed on Sundays. While some cities have been working to change the Sunday sales law, most will be affected this year.
Additionally, a law passed in the state prohibits all alcohol sales on Christmas day.
"As Arkansans know, by law alcohol may not be sold by liquor stores or retailers with an alcohol permit (grocery stores, etc.) on Sundays. In addition, Arkansas is among approximately 24 states that prohibit any alcohol sales on Christmas Day. When it comes to alcohol sales on Christmas Day in Arkansas, there are not any exceptions," Scott Hardin, a spokesperson for the Alcoholic Beverage Control in Arkansas, said.
Hardin said even restaurants and bars are prohibited from serving alcohol on Christmas Day, and a bill filed in 2021 that attempted to reverse the ban didn't make it out of committee.
Because of these laws, most liquor stores across the state will be closing their doors at midnight on Dec. 24, a Sunday, and won't be permitted to open again until Dec. 26, more than 48 hours later. Some may be closed even longer.
However, not all Arkansans will be affected. Cities like Bentonville and Rogers, which have recently passed new legislation regarding alcohol sales, will be allowed to sell on Sunday.
“Citizens in Northwest Arkansas will certainly have the option to purchase a bottle of wine or their favorite spirit on Christmas Eve this year,” Hardin said. "However, citizens in other areas of the state will need to plan prior to Sunday if they plan a Christmas Eve toast. When it comes to Christmas Day, there are not any options to legally purchase a drink anywhere in the state. This may be a surprise to new Arkansas citizens.”
Hardin said there are 21 communities in total across the state that have approved Sunday sales and will not be dry for 48 hours. Those communities include Briarcliff, Mountain Home, Norfolk, Salesville, Avoca, Diamond City, Lead Hill, Eureka Springs, Arkansas City, Altus, Ozark, Wiederkehr Village, Pyatt, Summit, Springdale, Tontitown, Gentry, Garfield, Pea Ridge, Bentonville, and Rogers.
While the holiday ban on alcohol sales holds strong, Hardin says that there is one exception Arkansans can utilize to get alcohol on Christmas Day.
"The state's three licensed casinos, located in Pine Bluff, Hot Springs, and West Memphis do have the ability to sell/serve alcohol to customers on-site at the casinos on Christmas Day if they are open," Hardin said.
Hardin explains that the casinos' authority to sell alcohol was given to them when Arkansans voted to approve casino gaming, while all other permit holders, such as restaurants, liquor stores, bars, and grocery stores are licensed through the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control.
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