ALBANY – During the height of the pandemic, then Gov. Cuomo allowed restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages “to go”. In 2022, a temporary law allowed the practice to continue and Governor Hochul wants to make that option permanent. Governor Hochul included the “cocktails-to-go” amendment to her budget recently. The current temporary law is in effect until 2025.
Under the existing law, the consumer seeking a “to go” beverage must also purchase a “substantial food item” but does not define what that means. Another restriction under the 2022 law says to-go alcoholic drinks must be sold “in a container with a secure lid or cap sealed in a manner designed to prevent consumption without removal of the lid or cap by breaking the seal.”
The Empire Restaurant and Tavern Association is supporting the legislation. “The Governor was a big fan of cocktails-to-go so her advocacy for making it permanent is understandable – and appreciated,” said the association. The association is also supporting other changes to the State Liquor Authority (SLA) that would move the licensing agency from its antiquated state into more modern times.
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