An economic necessity from the Covid-19 lockdowns, cocktail to-go laws have remained in many states even as the pandemic fades into the past. Yesterday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a state budget that included a five-year extension for cocktails to-go from restaurants, bars and taverns.
Alcohol producers and on-premise accounts supported the decision.
“New York consumers and hospitality businesses can all toast to the fact that cocktails to-go have been extended for another five years in the state,” says Andy Deloney, senior vice president and head of state public policy at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. “During the pandemic, cocktails to-go were a critical source of revenue for many businesses, and now, the increased convenience and stability they offer is an integral part of local business and adult dining.”
“Adult consumers should be able to enjoy their favorite cocktails when, how and where they want,” adds Deloney. “We applaud the Legislature and Governor Hochul for supporting New York businesses and consumers by extending cocktails to-go and increasing convenience.”
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 26 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to permanently allow cocktails to-go, and six others have enacted laws that allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis. Numerous states are still considering cocktails to-go legislation.
States that signed legislation to make cocktails to-go permanent into law: Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia have all made Covid-era cocktails to-go measures permanent.
States that signed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis into law: California (expires December 31, 2026), Colorado (expires July 1, 2025), Illinois (expires August 1, 2028), New Jersey (TBD), New York (expires April 9, 2030) and Vermont (expires July 1, 2025) passed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis.
