CA Lawmakers Cheer Law Allowing To-Go Alcohol Sales

CALIFORNIA — California state legislators unanimously approved a bill this week that, if signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, would permanently allow the sale of to-go cocktails as part of food takeout orders.

State Sen. Bill Dodd, a Democrat from Napa who represents the North Bay and parts of the East Bay, said he authored the bill to help restaurants struggling to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

At least 33 states including California are temporarily allowing the sale of to-go cocktails during the pandemic. The California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control first announced that alcohol could be sold for pickup or delivery in March 2020.

Since then, restaurants across the state have taken to using to-go alcohol as a way to bolster sales. A survey by the National Restaurant Association found 78 percent of restaurant owners who began selling takeout alcohol rehired laid-off employees compared to 62 percent overall.

"Restaurants have been hit hard by the pandemic and the ability to sell carry-out cocktails has been critical to ensuring they can survive," Dodd said Thursday in a news release. "Making this permanent will ensure their recovery, protecting jobs and our economy. I thank my fellow legislators for supporting this important proposal."

Dodd introduced the bill with the support of the California Restaurant Association.

"We thank you for your leadership on this issue and for taking what has been a successful trial project for the last year and seeking to keep it in place as the restaurant community attempts to rebuild over the next few years from the current economic devastation — and return as one of California’s largest private-sector employers," said Matt Sutton, senior vice president of the California Restaurant Association, in a letter of support for SB 389.

The new law would allow restaurants to sell up to two alcoholic beverages with each takeout meal. SB 369 restricts what types of containers alcohol may be sold in and the concentration of alcohol in mixed drinks. It also contains provisions to ensure alcohol is not sold to minors or through delivery services.

As of this June, the ABC's regulatory relief allowing restaurants to sell to-go alcohol will expire on Dec. 31, 2021. But if SB 389 is signed by the governor, restaurants may continue to do so until Dec. 31, 2026, at which point the bill would expire.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.