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

Get your first look at 2020 data and 2021 projections for the wine and spirits industries. Order your 2021 Impact Databank Reports. Click here.