Odd Texas Liquor Laws That Will Raise Your Spirits

Texas has a multitude of odd laws that not many people know about, but did you know that, in Texas, it's illegal to offer a two-for-one special on alcoholic beverages or to offer "bottomless" drink specials? Yeah, weird, but more on that later.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) provides common marketing practices that fall outside our within state law.

Illegal Advertising

According to the Commission, businesses cannot display any billboards or other signage that shows prices of their alcoholic beverages. If a price on a sign can be seen by a driver on the road, then it is not permissible in the state of Texas.

Here's the kicker: you CAN obviously display alcohol prices inside your bar or business, but they must NOT be seen from outside the establishment through a door or window.

One exception is for restaurants that also serve food. They can provide a regular-sized menu at the front entrance of their building that is allowed to have liquor prices. Full menus only; chalkboards are not protected.

Illegal Promotions

Explicit promotion violations of Texas liquor laws include the following:

• Offering a undetermined amount of alcohol for a fixed price
  • "Bottomless mimosas"
• Offering discounted prices on alcohol after 11pm
• Offering a two-for-one special on alcoholic beverages
• Handing out coupons for alcohol
• Requiring the purchase of an alcoholic beverage item in order to get a discount on something else

Also, it is illegal to offer "ladies night" where only women drink free or at a reduced price. Encouraging customers to excessively drink for promotional purposes and taking more than one drink at a time to one customer also violates the law.

So, the next time you go out with friends or to a bar, remember these violations as you see some businesses resort to more lax operating procedures. Cheers!