South Carolina’s alcohol laws balance a three-tier system (producers, wholesalers, retailers) with recent expansions for delivery and happy hour flexibility. While home delivery of beer, wine, and liquor gained traction via 2025 reforms like Bill H.3857, strict ID checks, age limits, and no-drop-off zones near schools or churches apply.
Delivery Rules
Licensed retailers can now offer curbside pickup and hire third-party services (e.g., DoorDash) for sealed beer, wine, or liquor deliveries statewide, requiring biennial permits from the SC Department of Revenue. Deliveries must verify recipients are 21+, sober, and at eligible addresses—no churches, schools, dorms, or on-premise bars (hotels exempt); returns happen same-day for failed checks. Chilled products and drive-thrus remain banned for safety.
Happy Hour Details
Happy hours are legal with limits: no unlimited drinks, no free alcohol, and time caps (e.g., 14 hours max daily across all promotions) per S.C. Code §61-6-1590. Bars/restaurants can discount drinks 2–10 p.m. weekdays or until midnight weekends, but “two-for-one” or loss-leader pricing is prohibited to curb overconsumption. Sunday sales start at noon (not 10 a.m. like some states).​
