Learn Alcohol Delivery, Open Container Laws, and What Time Can You Buy Alcohol in Kentucky
Kentucky’s alcohol laws are complex, shaped by its unique mix of wet, dry, and moist counties. Whether you’re a bar owner, manager, delivery driver, or customer, it’s essential to understand how the state regulates alcohol sales and transportation.
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Can alcohol be delivered? When are sales allowed? Where do open container laws apply?
This guide breaks down Kentucky’s alcohol delivery rules, open container laws, and the legal hours when alcohol can be sold with practical insights for businesses, staff, and individuals who want to stay compliant.
This guide breaks down Kentucky’s alcohol delivery rules, open container laws, and the legal hours when alcohol can be sold with practical insights for businesses, staff, and individuals who want to stay compliant.
Alcohol Delivery in Kentucky
Yes, alcohol delivery is legal in Kentucky BUT only under strict conditions.
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Closed and sealed containers only: Alcohol must remain in its original packaging, with no tampering.
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Meal requirement: Delivery must be incidental to food. That means you can’t order a case of beer through DoorDash without pairing it with food.
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Third-party delivery apps: Services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Amazon Flex are allowed to deliver alcohol, but they operate under the license of the restaurant or bar selling the alcohol.
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Age of delivery personnel: Drivers must be 21 or older.
- Age verification of customers: Buyers must present valid government-issued ID at delivery.
Who is responsible for compliance?
Even when using third-party apps, the licensed retailer (restaurant or bar) is legally responsible for any violations. If a delivery driver hands alcohol to a minor or intoxicated person, the liability falls back on the business.
Training for delivery drivers
Kentucky does not explicitly require delivery drivers to complete alcohol server training. But here’s the catch: many third-party platforms do.
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DoorDash, Uber Eats, Amazon Flex and others have introduced alcohol delivery training as part of their onboarding process.
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This includes modules on ID verification, intoxication handling, and safe delivery practices.
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Some platforms even require certification to activate alcohol delivery options.
Open Container Laws in Kentucky
Kentucky enforces strict open container rules in both vehicles and public spaces.
Vehicles
- No open containers allowed in the passenger area of any vehicle.
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Applies to both drivers and passengers.
- Sealed alcohol must remain unopened until the destination.
Exceptions:
- Limos and buses with hired drivers may allow open containers in passenger areas.
- Breweries may sell sealed growlers in a bag, but they cannot be opened until home
Public spaces
- Drinking alcohol in public (streets, sidewalks, or parks) is prohibited in most areas.
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Some entertainment districts or special events may grant exceptions.
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Violations can result in fines or even charges for public intoxication.
What Time Can You Buy Alcohol in Kentucky?
Kentucky sets statewide guidelines for alcohol sales, but local jurisdictions can adjust them with permits.
On-Premise Sales (bars, restaurants, breweries, taprooms)
- Normal hours: 6 a.m. – midnight, Monday through Saturday.
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Sunday sales: Vary by city/county; many allow sales starting at 1 p.m. with the proper permit.
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Local extensions: Some areas allow sales until 2 a.m. or later, particularly in entertainment districts.
- Special events: For occasions like the Kentucky Derby, hours may be extended with state approval.
Off-Premise Sales (liquor stores, groceries, gas stations)
- Normal hours: 6 a.m. – midnight, Monday through Saturday.
- Sunday sales: Begin at 1 p.m. in most areas, but earlier in some jurisdictions with a permit.
Local Variability: Wet, Dry, and Moist Counties
Kentucky’s local control system means alcohol laws vary drastically:
For businesses, this means you must check local ordinances in addition to state law. What’s legal in Louisville may not be legal in rural counties.
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Dry counties prohibit alcohol sales entirely.
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Wet counties allow full alcohol sales.
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Moist counties permit limited alcohol sales, often by the drink or in restaurants.
For businesses, this means you must check local ordinances in addition to state law. What’s legal in Louisville may not be legal in rural counties.
Why Training Matters
Even though Kentucky doesn’t mandate certification for delivery drivers, the responsibility and liability risks are real:
That’s why alcohol delivery training is becoming the industry standard. It prepares drivers and staff to:
👉 Delivery platforms increasingly demand it. That’s why Certification Experts offers the National Alcohol Delivery Training Certification. It’s designed for drivers, third-party services, and retailers who want to ensure compliance in Kentucky and nationwide.
- Misdelivery to a minor can cost a business its license.
- Failure to check IDs could result in fines.
- Improper handling may violate both state and platform policies.
That’s why alcohol delivery training is becoming the industry standard. It prepares drivers and staff to:
- Check IDs and spot fakes.
- Handle intoxicated customers safely.
- Understand state-specific delivery rules.
- Reduce liability and protect both the driver and the retailer.
👉 Delivery platforms increasingly demand it. That’s why Certification Experts offers the National Alcohol Delivery Training Certification. It’s designed for drivers, third-party services, and retailers who want to ensure compliance in Kentucky and nationwide.
On-Premise Training: What Servers in Lexington-Fayette Need
Kentucky mandates that on‑premise alcohol servers have approved training especially in major jurisdictions. In Lexington–Fayette County, for example, it's not just encouraged, it’s required.
- Kentucky Lexington–Fayette Alcohol Awareness Training by the Certification Experts is both county-approved and state-mandated for on-premise alcohol servers, including bartenders, servers, and tasting room staff.
Be Aware of The Rules
Kentucky allows alcohol delivery but under strict rules: sealed containers, meal requirements, age verification, and compliance with both state and local laws. Add in open container restrictions and varying sales hours, and the landscape can be confusing.
For businesses and delivery drivers, the smartest move is training. Whether you’re delivering through DoorDash, running a bar in Louisville, or managing a restaurant in a moist county, professional certification helps you stay safe and compliant.
Protect yourself and your business. Enroll today in the National Alcohol Delivery Training Certification and meet the standards set by law, employers, and delivery platforms.
For businesses and delivery drivers, the smartest move is training. Whether you’re delivering through DoorDash, running a bar in Louisville, or managing a restaurant in a moist county, professional certification helps you stay safe and compliant.
Protect yourself and your business. Enroll today in the National Alcohol Delivery Training Certification and meet the standards set by law, employers, and delivery platforms.
Get Trained at Your Convenience and Get Certified in Kentucky
Whether you’re seeking convenience, affordability, or specialized training in Kentucky to be a bartender or an alcohol server, we are here to help. With the government-approved Kentucky Alcohol Awareness Training by the Certification Experts, you can gain the skills and certification needed to provide safe and responsible alcohol service as a bartender or as an alcohol server.
See more topics related to certifications in Kentucky:
Ready to enhance your skills and earn your certification? Explore Certification Experts’ offerings today and take the next step in your career.