Drinking age in Mississippi (2026)
Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
In short: The minimum age to buy beer, wine and spirits is 21. A person aged 18 to 20 may drink beer with a parent or guardian's consent, in their presence. Package stores may open only 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Drinking in public placesBuying and drinking alcohol | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum age to buy beer and wineBuying and drinking alcohol | 21 years [1] |
| Minimum age to buy spiritsBuying and drinking alcohol | 21 years [1] |
| Drinking by younger people with an adultBuying and drinking alcohol | A person aged 18 to 20, in the presence of a parent or legal guardian and with that person's consent, may drink beer. The exception is for beer only, not liquor or wine. A person aged 18 or over serving in the US military may possess and drink beer on military property where beer drinking is allowed. People under 21 may be inside licensed premises but may not be allowed to drink or be sold alcohol. [1] |
| Where and when alcohol is soldBuying and drinking alcohol | Package stores may open only 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday, with no Sunday or Christmas Day sales. On-premises permit holders may sell 10 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Saturday, and after midnight or on Sundays only where the Department of Revenue has extended hours. Beer may be sold on-premises from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, and off-premises at any hour, but municipalities and counties may restrict beer hours and Sunday sales by ordinance. Counties and municipalities decide by local election whether alcoholic beverages may be sold, and many counties are dry for liquor. [1] |
Sources
- Mississippi Department of Revenue: Alcoholic Beverage Control: Frequently Asked Questions (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| Where and when alcohol is sold | Federal law does not itself ban the sale of alcohol to people under 21. Under 23 U.S.C. 158, a State loses 8 percent of certain federal highway funds if buying or publicly possessing alcohol is lawful there for a person under 21. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (U.S. Code)) |
|---|
Mississippi and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age to buy beer and wine | Minimum age to buy spirits | Drinking by younger people with an adult | Drinking in public places | Where and when alcohol is sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 21+ | 21+ | Beer only, 18-20 with parent or guardian | ⚠ Not yet verified | Package stores closed Sundays; local option |
| Alabama | 21+ (purchase, consume, possess) | 21+ (purchase, consume, possess) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Public intoxication is a violation | Sunday sales only where county or city allows |
| Louisiana | 21 (no purchase or public possession under 21) | 21 (no purchase or public possession under 21) | Allowed with parent/spouse/guardian 21+; religious use | ⚠ Not yet verified | No sales under 21; age ignorance no defence |
More rules in Mississippi
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Civil offence up to 30 g · Growing at home: Not allowed
- Car speed limitsOutside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (two-lane highways)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (regular licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksMinimum age to buy: 12 (no sale to under-12s)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed carry of listed knives is an offence · Locking or one-handed knives: Switchblade: no concealed carry
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: No · Current adult minimum wage (gross): Federal $7.25 per hour
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, operator and passengers
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% (21 and over) · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.