Waco Alcohol Sales

Top Performers in Waco's Alcohol Scene

Waco's top spot for alcohol sales in October 2025 goes to George's on Speight Ave, boasting total receipts of $170,821. With a balanced mix of liquor, wine, and beer sales, George's has a winning formula, especially with its liquor sales reaching $88,870.

Close on George's heels is Tia Juanita's Fish Camp on Jack Kultgen Expy, raking in $163,179. This establishment shines with its liquor sales, leading the pack at $94,015, showing a strong preference for spirits among its patrons.

Interesting Trends and Insights

An interesting trend is the significant role of liquor sales in driving revenues. Establishments like Scruffy Murphy's and La Fiesta Restaurant heavily lean on liquor, with over 80% of their sales from spirits. This might indicate a local preference for cocktails and spirits over beer and wine.

Blacks Beverage Co stands out for its wine sales, pulling in $42,434, the highest in this category. This suggests a niche market for wine enthusiasts in Waco, which could be a lucrative opportunity for establishments looking to diversify their offerings.

Notable Mentions

Hotel Herringbone and Hotel 1928 both make the list, showcasing that hotel bars remain popular spots for locals and visitors alike. With respective total sales of $116,132 and $102,226, these venues combine elegance with a strong liquor selection to attract patrons.

The unique venue, Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, also makes a notable entry with $156,494 in sales, highlighting the appeal of combining entertainment with a robust drinks menu. It's a reminder that experience-based venues can thrive in Waco's competitive market.

Top Sales Areas in Waco

When it comes to alcohol sales in Waco, the zip code 76701 leads the pack with a whopping $1,391,989 in total sales from 41 establishments. Following closely is 76706 with sales amounting to $1,218,712. Both of these areas show a strong market presence, suggesting they are key locations for businesses in the alcohol industry.

Alcohol Preferences by Zip Code

There's a noticeable preference for liquor across most zip codes, particularly in 76701 where it constitutes 63% of the sales. Meanwhile, beer takes the lead in 76707, making up a significant 80% of sales, contrasting sharply with their mere 20% for liquor. These variations could indicate differing consumer profiles or cultural preferences in these areas.

Opportunities for New Businesses

With 173 establishments spread across 9 zip codes, some areas show potential for new entrants. Zip code 76707, despite its low total sales, has only 2 establishments, suggesting room for growth, especially in the beer segment. Similarly, 76704 might attract wine-focused businesses since wine sales account for 20% of its total sales, the highest among all zip codes.

Interesting Patterns and Insights

A deeper dive into the sales mix reveals that liquor is consistently the top performer across most zip codes, with a few exceptions. Areas like 76711 and 76705 show a more balanced mix between liquor and beer, which might appeal to businesses looking to diversify their offerings. Overall, understanding these patterns can help businesses tailor their strategies effectively to meet local demands.

Overview of Alcohol Sales in Waco

Over the past 12 months, Waco's alcohol market has seen some interesting dynamics, with total sales peaking in May 2025 at $5.82 million. This peak was followed by a dip in June, where sales dropped by over 22%, suggesting a potential post-holiday slowdown. However, the summer months picked up slightly, with August showing a notable recovery at $5.22 million in receipts.

Trends in Liquor, Wine, and Beer Sales

Liquor has consistently been the top performer in Waco's alcohol market, accounting for the majority of sales. In May 2025, liquor sales alone reached $3.43 million, highlighting its dominance. Beer sales fluctuated but remained relatively stable, peaking at $1.62 million in May. Wine, while trailing behind liquor and beer, saw its best performance in October 2025 with $436,745 in sales.

Changes in Establishments and Market Dynamics

The number of alcohol-selling establishments varied throughout the year, with a high of 160 in May 2025, coinciding with the sales peak. Despite this fluctuation, total sales often moved independently of the number of establishments, indicating that other factors, such as seasonal demand and promotional activities, might have had a more significant impact on sales trends.

Seasonal Patterns and Market Insights

Seasonal patterns are evident, with sales surging in months like December and May, likely due to holiday and graduation celebrations. The steep decline in January 2025 sales, down by 17.42%, suggests a typical post-holiday drop-off. The data also shows a robust recovery in March, with a significant 18.26% increase in total receipts, possibly driven by spring events and festivities.

Implications for Business Strategy

For businesses, these trends highlight the importance of aligning inventory and marketing strategies with seasonal demand spikes. The strong performance of liquor suggests opportunities for promotions and events centered around premium spirits. Meanwhile, maintaining a balanced product mix can help capture consistent demand in beer and wine, even as overall sales fluctuate month-to-month.