LOCAL LIQUOR LAWS While recent years have seen law enforcement toughen up on problems like underage drinking and DUIs, the party is still going strong in Oxford. A lot of people come to this town simply to have a good time, and drinking is as much a part of football game day traditions as ever. The challenge of enjoying yourself without getting into trouble is knowing what you can legally drink, and where and when. It isn’t as simple as you might think. The Oxford-Lafayette-University community is like a patchwork of jurisdictions, each with its own set of rules. The evolution of all these laws dates back to Prohibition in the 1920s, and includes a series of city and county referendums from the 1930s to the ’70s. The University of Mississippi opted for a more pragmatic approach than its longstanding
prohibition policy, falling back on the state and local laws already in existence. The catch is that while most of the campus is not technically in Oxford’s city limits, some of it is, and therefore even the campus itself does not operate under a single set of rules. Oxford now requires people to register at City Hall if they want to buy a keg of beer and partial Sunday sales were approved Four years ago after more than a year of debates and committee work. In late 2013, the Oxford Board of Aldermen drastically changed Oxford’s alcohol laws by allowing cold beer sales seven days a week at gas stations and grocery and convenience stores and for voting to allow Sunday alcohol sales at bars and restaurants only. Beer and light wine can purchased on Sundays at off-site locations.
HERE’S A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF WHAT’S ALLOWED WHERE: ON CAMPUS — Most of the campus is “wet” for wine and liquor, but “dry” for beer. Areas east of the University Avenue Bridge including Oxford-University Stadium are “wet” for beer, too. — Alcohol left unattended or in plain sight is considered “distribution” and can be confiscated. Kegs, party balls and other means of “common supply” are banned, as are things like funnels and shots. — Alcohol is illegal inside the gates of sporting events. If you drink during tailgating, use a cup instead of a labeled can and walking away from your cooler gives security the right to seize. IN OXFORD CITY LIMITS — You can now buy cold beer at service stations and grocery stores, including Sundays. — Liquor cannot be sold on Sunday at off-site locations, other than beer and light wine. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased on Sundays at restaurant and bars. — Bars close at 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday but alcohol is not sold after 1 a.m. On Sundays, bars may sell alcohol from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. — Brown bag permit is allowed at several restaurants in Oxford which allows you to bring your own wine, liquor and beer during regular serving hours. IN LAFAYETTE COUNTY — You can’t buy alcohol outside the Oxford city limits – except for packaged wine and liquor in Abbeville. — You can take your own wine and liquor to “brown bag” restaurants in the county but taking beer is illegal. — Castle Hill has “resort status” and is therefore able to serve alcohol in the county any day. The Ravine and Plein Air in Taylor have modified resort status, and follow the guidelines of the city. INSIDE OXFORD
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