This evening, the Florida Legislature passed SB148, a bill that would make cocktails to-go permanent from food service establishments, increasing consumer convenience and supporting hospitality businesses devastated by COVID-19. The bill now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature and would become effective July 1, 2021.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated Florida’s hospitality businesses, and it will take years for them to fully recover,” said Jay Hibbard, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Senior Vice President of State Government Relations. “Cocktails to-go has already proven to be a vital part of their survival during COVID-19 and will only provide increased stability in the months and years to come. Hospitality businesses are desperate for a sustained source of revenue, and cocktails to-go provide a critical lifeline. We thank the legislature for passing this measure and encourage Governor DeSantis to sign this bill and make cocktails to-go permanent in support of Florida’s hospitality businesses.”
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued an emergency order allowing restaurants to sell beverage alcohol with to-go food orders in early 2020, and Governor DeSantis expressed his support for making the change permanent at a news conference in September 2020.
Background:
Currently, more than 30 states plus the District of Columbia are allowing restaurants and/or bars to sell cocktails to-go. Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia have all made COVID-era cocktails to-go measures permanent. More than 30 other states are also considering allowing, extending or making permanent cocktails to-go measures.
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.