Measure supports struggling hospitality businesses, heads to House for consideration
Today, the Virginia Senate passed SB 1299, a bill to allow cocktails to-go from distilleries, restaurants and bars until July 1, 2022, in an effort to support hospitality businesses struggling to cope with the harsh economic impacts of COVID-19.
“The path to recovery will last long beyond the end of the pandemic for Virginia’s hospitality businesses, and cocktails to-go has already proven to be a critical part of their survival over the last several months,” said David Wojnar, DISCUS Vice President of State Government Relations. “Extending consumer-friendly measures like cocktails to-go provides local distilleries, restaurants and bars with a sustained source of much-needed revenue as they get back on their feet. We applaud the Virginia Senate for taking action to support hospitality businesses and urge the House to move quickly in passing this measure.”
Background:
Currently, more than 30 states plus the District of Columbia are allowing restaurants and/or bars to sell cocktails to-go, bottled spirits to-go or both. Iowa and Ohio have both made cocktails to-go permanent, and other states, including Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and the District of Columbia, are considering doing the same.
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.