Harris County Alcohol Sales

Top Performers in Harris

Leading the pack in April 2025, ARAMARK Sports & Entertainment Services at Minute Maid Park had a staggering total receipt of $6,485,745. This venue showed a balanced appeal across all alcohol types, with beer sales slightly edging out liquor. If you're in the sports venue business, this is a model worth examining.

The Post Oak/Mastro's/Willie G's came in second with $1,888,499 in total sales, showing a strong affinity for wine, which accounted for almost half of their alcohol revenue. Meanwhile, Levy Restaurants at Toyota Center focused heavily on liquor, capturing the third spot with significant liquor sales contributing to their $1,474,581 in total receipts.

Trends and Insights

Hotel venues like Marriott Marquis Houston and Hilton Americas - Houston performed robustly, both surpassing the million-dollar mark in total receipts. Liquor sales dominated their revenue streams, highlighting a consistent trend for high-end venues.

It's interesting to note that Vida Garden/Pick Your Poison had no wine sales but still landed in the top six, with almost all revenue generated from liquor. This strategy might appeal to establishments with a younger, nightlife-oriented clientele.

Notable Mentions

River Oaks Country Club, with its focus on wine, and Kirby Ice House (with two locations in the top 11) both showcase the diversity in successful alcohol sale strategies. Wine-focused and beer-friendly approaches both have their place in Harris's vibrant market.

On a smaller scale, NOEN and Melrose demonstrate that a strong liquor-centric offering can still secure a solid position in the top 20, hinting at potential for niche bars to thrive alongside bigger establishments.

Top Zip Codes for Alcohol Sales

In April 2025, the zip code 77002 led the charge with a whopping total sales of $18,877,192, supported by 189 establishments. The sales mix here heavily favored liquor, which made up 57% of sales. Following closely, 77006 and 77024 also posted strong numbers, with sales of $10,546,620 and $7,396,081 respectively, both showing a significant preference for liquor in their sales mix.

Trends in Alcohol Preferences

When we look at the breakdown of alcohol types, liquor is the clear favorite across most zip codes, especially in 77006 where it accounts for 72% of sales. Wine sees its highest share in 77024 and 77027, making up 31% and 37% of sales respectively. On the other hand, beer is a major player in zip codes like 77003 and 77598, where it makes up 28% and 32% of the sales mix.

Opportunities for New Establishments

Areas like 77019 and 77056, despite strong sales figures of over $6.8 million, have fewer establishments (73 and 97 respectively) compared to others with similar sales, suggesting potential room for new businesses. Additionally, lesser-known areas with high liquor sales percentages, such as 77054 with 66% liquor sales, might benefit from more specialized liquor stores.

Additional Insights and Patterns

Interestingly, the zip code 77021 shows an unusually high concentration of liquor sales at 90%, the highest in any area surveyed. Meanwhile, areas like 77013 and 77048 report no sales, possibly indicating untapped markets or areas with restrictive regulations. Furthermore, areas with a high beer sales percentage like 77036 (49%) might see potential in expanding craft beer offerings.

Overview of Alcohol Sales in Harris

Over the past year, Harris has experienced some notable fluctuations in alcohol sales, showing both seasonal trends and shifts in consumer preferences. The month with the highest sales was December 2024, which is not surprising given the holiday season's typical boost in alcohol consumption. Total receipts for that month hit a substantial $182,986,189. However, by April 2025, sales had decreased to $171,299,146, marking a 5.83% drop from the previous month.

Seasonal Trends and Patterns

There is a clear pattern of increased sales during the holiday months. December 2024 saw a significant spike, with liquor being the main driver at $109,816,847. This was followed by a predictable dip in January 2025, where total receipts fell to $141,809,117, a 22.5% decrease as post-holiday spending tightened. The summer months also reflected a dip, with July 2024 sales at $140,725,285, emphasizing a seasonal low.

Changes in Sales Mix

Liquor consistently leads the sales mix throughout the year, peaking in December 2024 at $109,816,847 and remaining the top choice in April 2025 at $98,388,415. Beer and wine sales have shown more variability, with wine sales peaking in December as well at $31,182,400. Interestingly, beer sales were more consistent, hovering around $39 million in several months, but showing resilience in April 2025 with $38,406,344 despite the overall sales dip.

Market Implications

The data indicates that Harris has a robust market for liquor, especially during festive months. The rise in the number of establishments by 11.94% from March to April 2025 suggests growing business confidence and competition. However, the decrease in total receipts during the same period might indicate market saturation or changing consumer preferences, possibly towards more home consumption or cost-saving measures.