Abilene Alcohol Retailers May Now Apply for TABC Late Hours Permits

ABILENE – Local businesses holding a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission license or permit to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption may now apply for a late hours permit allowing them to sell alcohol until 2 a.m.

The Abilene City Council in May approved an ordinance allowing late hours sales, setting an October 1 start date for the new policy. Local bars and restaurants wishing to take advantage of the expanded hours of sale must first apply to TABC for a late-hours permit. Without a late hours permit, TABC-licensed businesses which sell alcohol for on-premise consumption may do so until midnight Sunday through Friday and until 1 a.m. Saturday. Businesses with a late hours permit may sell alcohol until 2 a.m. every night.

Late hours permits are available for businesses which hold a Mixed Beverage Permit, a Wine & Beer Retailer's On-Premise Permit, a Retail Dealer's On-Premise License, a Private Club Registration Permit, or a Private Club Exemption Certificate. Late hours permits cost $627 for a Mixed Beverage permittee, $827 for a Wine & Beer permittee or Retail Dealer On-Premise licensee, and $1,850 for a private club permittee.

TABC-licensed businesses which allow late hours sales or consumption without the proper permit could face TABC administrative action with penalties such as a 5-7 day suspension of their liquor license or a $1,500-$2,100 fine.

Abilene businesses wishing to apply for a late hours permit may contact the TABC Abilene Licensing Office at 500 Chestnut Street, Suite 1573, or call (325) 672-8111.

Download the late-hours application form.

Contact: Chris Porter TABC Public Information Officer (512) 206-3462