The legal age to purchase and consume alcohol in South Carolina is 21 years of age. To sell alcohol as a server for on-site consumption, you must be 18 years of age. However, tending the bar is 21 or older. Tending the bar means an 18-year-old cannot create the drinks but can serve them.
Beer and wine have no minimum age limit. Spirits (liquor), on the other hand, require a clerk to be at least 21 years old.
It is a misdemeanor for anyone under twenty-one to purchase or knowingly have any beer, ale, porter, wine, or other malted or fermented beverage.
Another misdemeanor is for anyone under the age of 21 to represent his age to procure alcoholic liquors falsely. The misdemeanor applies to anyone purchasing or attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages from any business licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.
Fines and Penalties: $100-200, cannot be imprisoned for more than 30 days or both.
Violators must also complete an approved alcohol prevention education program that is at least eight hours long. The maximum amount the program can cost is $150.
Penalties & Fines for Selling or Furnishing Alcohol
Penalties and fines can be imposed on the
licensee
the clerk
those who furnish alcohol to underage individuals
Licensee Penalties
It is illegal for a licensee, an adult licensed to sell alcohol in South Carolina, to knowingly sell or permit alcohol to be sold to a minor. A licensee may face suspension and have their beer, wine, or liquor license automatically revoked if a conviction, guilty plea, forfeiture of the bond, or a plea of nolo contendere occurs. The department may issue a fine instead of revocation as an alternative to revoking a beer, wine, or liquor license.
Fines:
First Offense: The license must be revoked for one year, or the licensee must pay the department a penalty of $250.
Second Offense: the offender’s license or license must be revoked for two years, or the licensee must pay the department a penalty of $500.
Ordering a drink at a bar or a restaurant is permitted between 10 AM and 2 AM, Monday through Friday. Saturday, all sales of alcoholic beverages must end at 11:59 PM. Liquor stores may be open between 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Beer and wine may be bought and sold 24 hours a day.
*Municipalities and counties are permitted to have more restrictive ordinances
Unless county or municipal ordinances have additional restrictions, alcoholic beverages may not be sold for on or off-premises consumption (to go) on Sundays. However, some counties do allow alcohol sales on Sundays.
