Cocktails To Go Gain Ground As More States Ease Rules For Struggling On-Premise Operators

Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf has signaled that he will sign a bill allowing on-premise establishments to sell mixed drinks to go, joining a growing number of states that are allowing the practice. Under the Pennsylvania law, restaurants and hotels that lost more than 25% of their average monthly total sales, including alcohol sales, as a result of restrictions imposed during Covid-19 may sell cocktails to go. The drinks must be sold in a sealed container no greater than 64 fluid ounces in a single transaction.

With the addition of Pennsylvania, 33 states and Washington, D.C. now allow restaurants and/or bars to sell cocktails to go, bottled spirits to go, or both, according to DISCUS. Additionally, 18 states are now permitting restaurants and/or bars to deliver spirits in some form. Some states, including Texas and Florida, are considering leaving their relaxed rules in place permanently.—Daniel Marsteller

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