16 states and D.C. made cocktails to-go permanent, 14 others passed temporary measures
Thirty states have taken legislative action to allow cocktails to-go either on a permanent or temporary basis providing a lifeline for hospitality businesses that continue to face repercussions from the harsh economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During COVID-19, more than 35 states began allowing restaurants and/or bars to sell cocktails to-go as an economic relief measure via executive orders or other temporary measures. Since then, 16 states and the District of Columbia passed legislation to make cocktails to-go permanent, and 14 other states passed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis. Some states are still considering cocktails to-go legislation.
“Business owners from all across the country continue to tell me that cocktails to-go helped them keep the lights on during the pandemic and provided stability when little else could,” said Chris Swonger, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States President and CEO. “Unfortunately, the hospitality industry has a long way to go before it is fully recovered. We are pleased to see so many states taking action to allow cocktails to-go permanently or for an extended amount of time to help these businesses get back on their feet.”
Three states, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and New York, that allowed cocktails to-go during the pandemic have let those measures expire.
“Reopened does not mean recovered, and hospitality businesses are still struggling with the harsh economic impacts of COVID-19.” Swonger said. “Stripping local businesses of this lifeline at such a critical time will only further devastate the hospitality industry.”
BACKGROUND
States that passed legislation to make cocktails to-go permanent:
Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia have all made COVID-era cocktails to-go measures permanent.
States that passed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis:
Colorado (expires July 1, 2025), Connecticut (expires June 4, 2024), Delaware (expires March 31, 2022), Illinois (expires Jan. 3, 2024), Maine (expires Sept. 10, 2022), Maryland (local option – expires June 30, 2023), Massachusetts (expires May 1, 2022), Michigan (expires December 31, 2025), Jersey (expires January 1, 2022), Rhode Island (expires March 1, 2022), Tennessee (expires July 1, 2023), Vermont (expires July 1, 2023), Virginia (expires July 1, 2022) and Washington (expires July 1, 2023) passed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis.
The distilled spirits industry is committed to responsibility and encourages moderation for adults who choose to drink alcohol. Cocktails to-go are intended for home consumption. Laws governing alcohol consumption must always be observed.