As a drugstore turned general store, CVS has grown into a one-stop shop for all of your needs in recent years, selling everything from pharmacy products to party supplies.
However, given the different state laws regarding the sale of alcohol, you may be wondering – does CVS sell alcohol? I’ve done some research, and here’s what I’ve found out about alcohol sales at CVS!
Does CVS Sell Alcohol?
CVS stores stock alcohol products such as beer, wine, and spirits in states where it is allowed to do so. You can only purchase alcohol from CVS if you are above the legal age (21 in most states). Contact your nearby CVS store to confirm availability.
If you want to learn more about the price of alcohol products at CVS, what kinds of alcohol CVS sells, and whether you can return alcohol to CVS, keep on reading!
Do All CVS Stores Sell Alcohol?
CVS stores in states that allow the sale of alcohol in specialized off-premises locations will stock alcoholic beverages according to what is permitted by their license.
However, in states where non-specialized stores are allowed to carry wine and liquor, CVS will stock both.
So although this varies across states, CVS stores carry alcoholic drinks that they are allowed to as per governing laws of that particular state.
Keep in mind that you will only be sold alcohol at CVS stores if you are above the legal age limit of that state, which can be anything between 18 and 21 years, depending on the state.
Does CVS Sell Alcohol On Sundays?
CVS stores will follow the licensing rules for the state they are located in, so some CVS stores can sell alcohol on Sundays, whereas stores in other states can not (where it is prohibited).
However, in states where CVS is allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays, there are restrictions on the times during which the store can sell it.
Note that alcohol sale on a Sunday falls under a series of US laws called Blue Laws. To find out which states permit alcohol sales on a Sunday, take a look at this handy map.
What Time Does CVS Stop Selling Alcohol?
The time limitations for selling alcohol vary by state and depend on the local laws, with most laws being less restrictive for weekdays and Saturdays.
Generally, alcohol is sold throughout most CVS store opening times, but some jurisdictions place different rules on the sale times of different types of alcoholic beverages.
As a general rule, most CVS stores that sell alcohol will do so throughout their opening times (usually only on Sundays), whereas alcohol sales may not be permitted during the night for 24-hour CVS stores.
What Kinds Of Alcohol Does CVS Sell?
CVS sells a variety of alcoholic beverages, such as beers, wines, and liquors, where permitted by state laws. Customers should note that alcoholic drinks are not available on CVS.com.
Beer is the most common type of alcohol available at CVS, as many licensing laws do not restrict it.
You can expect to find beer brands such as Innis & Gunn Rum Cask Oak Aged, Cisco, Kona Castaway IPA, Lindemans Cassis, Cascade, and Castelain Blond.
Like Mississippi and Kansas, some states have stricter laws on the sale of wine in stores with off-licenses, only allowing wine sales in liquor stores.
CVS sells wine if it is permitted by the rules in the state it is located in, stocking popular types, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Pink Moscato, Chardonnay, and Merlot.
Other than that, CVS sells a wide variety of spirits in selected states, as some locations limit the sale of spirits to liquor stores.
If you’re heading over to CVS to buy spirits, you will generally find vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey by brands such as Bacardi, Absolut, Jack Daniel’s, and Rosebrook.
Does CVS Sell Good Alcohol?
CVS carries a range of alcoholic beverages from well-known and well-liked brands, so you will definitely find something that suits your taste.
Some notable brands stocked by CVS include Smirnoff vodka, SKYY vodka, Bombay Sapphire gin, Aperol, Bacardi rum, and Maker’s Mark Bourbon.
Can I Return Alcohol To CVS?
The CVS returns policy does not explicitly state whether alcohol can be returned to stores, although food products cannot be returned to CVS stores, even if unopened.
Additionally, some states have alcohol laws that make returning alcohol illegal unless it is unfit for human consumption. In these states, returns of alcohol to CVS are unlikely to be accepted.
Note that there is a lot of variation in state laws on whether or not customers can return alcohol to stores, so your local CVS will adhere to the laws of the state it is located in.
Because of this, the best way to clear your doubts and gather information about the sale and return of alcohol is to contact the nearby CVS store that you plan on visiting using the CVS Store Locator.
To learn more, you might also be interested in reading up on whether Walmart sells alcohol, if Dollar General sells alcohol, and if Aldi sells alcohol.
Conclusion: Does CVS Sell Alcohol?
CVS stores sell alcoholic beverages in accordance with state laws. While some states restrict the sale of spirits to liquor stores, most CVS locations will offer wine and beer.
You must be of legal age to buy alcohol at CVS. Note that alcoholic drinks are unavailable at CVS.com.
