More States Push To Make Alcohol To-Go Sales Permanent

The pandemic forced restaurants and bars across the U.S. to close or switch to pick-up and delivery only models. But they were soon able to serve alcohol to-go when governors started signing executive orders allowing restaurants and bars to serve alcohol with takeout orders. Now, as the country begins to reopen, states have been considering permanent alcohol-to-go laws. More than 30 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have implemented emergency measures to allow restaurants and bars to serve cocktails for delivery and takeout, according to the National Restaurant Association.

NRA EVP of Public Affairs Sean Kennedy says, “So far the restaurant industry has lost over eight million jobs and roughly $120 billion in revenue. Offering these new products like off-premise sales of alcohol represents up to 10% of their revenue right now. From an industry that’s on the ropes working with capacity restrictions – that’s critical.”