When the liquor store is closed or you need a quick, convenient place to pick up some alcohol, you might wonder, "Does 7-Eleven sell liquor?" The answer is that yes, most 7-Eleven locations do sell liquor, but the exact selection, availability, and hours can vary quite a bit depending on local laws and other factors.
As one of the largest convenience store chains with over 70,000 stores across 17 countries, 7-Eleven aims to meet a wide range of customer needs, and that includes stocking liquor. However, 7-Eleven isn‘t a dedicated liquor store and there are restrictions around alcohol sales, so the offerings are more limited than your typical liquor store or supermarket.
To help you navigate buying liquor at 7-Eleven, we‘ll cover everything you need to know, including what kinds of liquor 7-Eleven usually carries, how liquor laws impact what‘s sold, ways to check if a store has what you want in stock, and more. Let‘s dive in!
What Types of Liquor Does 7-Eleven Sell?
First, let‘s look at what you can expect to find in the liquor section at 7-Eleven. Generally, 7-Eleven focuses on middle-shelf to bottom-shelf spirits, with a selection that will cover the bases but won‘t necessarily impress liquor connoisseurs. Here are some of the main types and brands of liquor you‘ll find at many 7-Eleven stores:
Whiskey: 7-Eleven stocks a small range of American and Canadian whiskey brands such as Jack Daniel‘s, Jim Beam, Seagram‘s Seven Crown, and Canadian Club. Don‘t expect to find top-shelf or craft whiskeys.
Vodka: You‘ll find plenty of vodka at 7-Eleven, with an emphasis on popular, affordable brands like Smirnoff, Svedka, Skyy, and UV. Some stores may also carry slightly pricier options like Absolut and Tito‘s.
Rum: 7-Eleven sells rum from major producers like Bacardi and Captain Morgan, usually offering light, dark, and spiced varieties. More niche or high-end rums are unlikely.
Tequila: The tequila options at 7-Eleven are fairly basic, with brand offerings such as Jose Cuervo, Hornitos, and maybe a few other mid-range picks. They don‘t get into fancier aged or artisanal tequilas.
Hard Seltzers: Reflecting customer demand, most 7-Eleven coolers now dedicate a lot of space to popular hard seltzer brands like White Claw, Truly, Bud Light Seltzer, and Corona Hard Seltzer.
Ready-to-Drink Cocktails: You can also find pre-mixed, canned cocktails at many 7-Eleven locations, with common options including hard lemonades, malt-based margaritas and daiquiris, and canned Moscow Mules.
Shooters & Minis: Need airplane bottles or shooters for a party or gifts? 7-Eleven has a variety, with mini bottles from brands like Fireball, Smirnoff, Jose Cuervo, Jack Daniel‘s, Jägermeister, and more.
Keep in mind this is a general overview and the exact liquor selection will vary by location, so you might see some additional brands and niche products depending on the store. Overall though, 7-Eleven mostly sticks with major brands that have mass appeal, rather than focusing on craft producers or high-end offerings.
Liquor Laws & How They Impact 7-Eleven
While 7-Eleven strives for a consistent experience across stores, liquor laws and regulations are a major reason why the liquor selection isn‘t the same everywhere. In the U.S., alcohol sales are controlled at both the federal and state level, and the laws can vary significantly by state.
For example, in Utah, most 7-Eleven stores don‘t sell any liquor at all because the state maintains a monopoly over all liquor sales through state-run stores. Privately-owned stores like 7-Eleven are only allowed to sell beer with an alcohol content of 5% or less.
Many other states have laws that impact what types of alcohol can be sold at convenience stores, what times alcohol can be sold, and other factors. For instance:
- Indiana only allows liquor sales at a store if liquor makes up less than 25% of total sales
- In Virginia, spirits can only be purchased at state-run ABC stores, not at 7-Eleven
- Some states like Texas allow 7-Eleven to sell liquor and wine all week, while others like Oklahoma prohibit Sunday sales
- Most states require stores like 7-Eleven to have a specific liquor license to sell spirits vs. just beer and wine
So before making a trip to 7-Eleven for liquor, it‘s always good to check your local liquor laws to verify what types of alcohol you can actually buy there and when. Your local 7-Eleven should be following all applicable laws, but the exact rules can be confusing and vary a lot by location.
7-Eleven Liquor Ordering, Delivery & Hours
In addition to in-store purchases, some 7-Eleven locations now allow you to order liquor for delivery or in-store pickup. Through the 7NOW app or website, you can browse the 7-Eleven liquor selection, add products to your cart, and choose a delivery or pickup option.
However, this service is only available in participating markets, as liquor delivery laws vary by state. According to 7-Eleven, customers can only order alcohol through 7NOW in Florida, Virginia, Texas, California, and Arizona because they‘ve gotten the appropriate liquor licenses in those states. But expansion to additional markets is planned for the future.
For in-store liquor sales, hours are limited by state and local laws. There‘s no one universal rule for when you can buy liquor at 7-Eleven. Most locations sell it from the morning until midnight or 1-2am, but some states prohibit sales on Sundays or require stores to wait until noon to start selling. 7-Eleven isn‘t allowed to sell liquor 24/7 like some of its other products. The best bet is to check what time your state allows liquor sales to begin and end each day.
7-Eleven Liquor Prices & Private Label Brands
In general, you can expect to pay slightly higher prices for liquor at 7-Eleven compared to warehouse stores or dedicated liquor stores. Convenience stores charge more because you‘re paying for the convenience of a quick, easy, one-stop-shop experience.
However, 7-Eleven does sometimes run promotions on liquor, like discounts when you buy multiple bottles or mix-and-match deals on mini bottles and shooters. Some locations also have loyalty programs that give you points back on liquor purchases.
These sales and deals can help bring the cost down, but if you‘re purely looking for the lowest liquor prices, wholesale stores and larger liquor store chains are usually cheaper than 7-Eleven. With the higher markup, their liquor prices are often on par with other convenience stores.
One way 7-Eleven has tried to offer more value in liquor is through its own private label brands. Most people don‘t realize it, but like Costco and Trader Joe‘s, 7-Eleven actually sells some of its own private label liquors, including:
- Yosemite Road: Budget-friendly wine brand available in select stores
- Sonoma Crest: Higher-tier private label wine offered in some locations
- Crown Jewel: 7-Eleven‘s store brand whiskey (previously known as Old Barrel)
- Voyager Point: Fancier-looking private label wine used for gifting
These 7-Eleven branded liquors are usually a bit cheaper than comparable offerings from mainstream brands. Quality can be hit or miss, but some products like Yosemite Road wine have developed a following for being a great value.
Other Things to Know About Buying Liquor at 7-Eleven
Finally, here are a few other helpful things to keep in mind when purchasing liquor at 7-Eleven:
Selection Varies A Lot By Store: We‘ve mentioned this already, but it bears repeating that liquor stock and selection varies significantly from one 7-Eleven to another, even more so than their food and household items. Managers have some flexibility to cater to local tastes. So you can‘t necessarily count on every 7-Eleven carrying the exact same liquor products, even within the same state.
It‘s Smart to Call Ahead: If you‘re looking for a specific liquor brand or product, it‘s always a good idea to call your local 7-Eleven ahead of time to ask if they have it in stock before making a trip. Stores sell out of popular liquors often and with space constraints, they may not get restocked immediately. A quick call can save you time and hassle.
Not All 7-Elevens Are Consistent: In general, 7-Eleven stores aim to have a fairly consistent experience across locations. But with liquor, there can be a lot of variance in selection, price, and store features like refrigerated sections. Two 7-Elevens a few miles apart might have a noticeably different liquor department and experience.
7-Eleven Focuses on Convenience: At the end of the day, 7-Eleven is a convenience store, not a liquor store. So while you can pick up mainstream liquor brands while you‘re there, no one would consider it a top destination for liquor shopping specifically. It‘s best for grab-and-go liquor purchases rather than carefully stocking your bar.
They‘re Expanding Liquor Sales: Even with the legal limitations, 7-Eleven has identified liquor as an area of growth for its business. In recent years, they‘ve expanded store space dedicated to liquor and put more focus on store pick-up and delivery. Some redesigned stores have much larger liquor sections than older formats. So the liquor experience may keep improving over time.
The Final Word on Buying Liquor at 7-Eleven
7-Eleven is a convenient place to pick up mainstream liquor brands when you‘re in a pinch or only need a few basic bottles. While you won‘t find a fancy craft whiskey selection or expert service, most stores have a liquor department that covers the bases, with options for all your home bar needs. Just keep in mind that state liquor laws play a big role in what 7-Eleven can sell, so the selection, availability, and liquor purchasing experience isn‘t totally consistent across all locations.
Checking your local laws, calling the store ahead of time to verify they have what you want, and keeping an eye out for deals can all help you have a better liquor run at 7-Eleven. Their stores are continuing to improve liquor offerings, so more locations may offer delivery, better prices, and a wider selection in the future. But for now, 7-Eleven is ultimately best suited for quick, convenient liquor purchases to hold you over, rather than being your go-to source for stocking a robust liquor cabinet at home.
