CT Promotion Offers Free Drink To The Vaccinated

CONNECTICUT — Some restaurants and bars around the state will offer a free drink to people who have received a coronavirus vaccine.

Participating restaurants are offering one free alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink to customers who show their vaccine card between May 19 and 31. A food purchase is required, and restaurants will determine what qualifies as a free drink.

Eventually, thousands of restaurants and bars are expected to join the promotion, Gov. Ned Lamont said at a news conference Monday. Restaurants are picking up the tab for the free drink, and the state is helping with promotion.

“You got a few weeks to think about it; don’t let this go to waste, young people,” Lamont said.

Participating restaurants are listed on the state’s tourism website. All Wood N Tap and Bears Smokehouse BBQ locations are participating, and so are 16 other restaurants so far.

The May 19 promotion start date coincides with the end of all business coronavirus restrictions except for indoor mask use. Indoor bars will open for the first time in more than a year.

The idea for the promotion came from Lamont’s administration talking to the Connecticut Restaurant Association about ways to promote people to get vaccinated, Lamont said.

“We’re trying to get people back in the restaurant,” Lamont said. “They feel comfortable outside, inside, and we said, 'Look, we’re going to be promoting this far and wide; if you will help with the free drinks, we’ll get more people back.'”

Around two-thirds of adults in Connecticut have received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose, and nearly 3 million doses have been administered as of Monday.

There are now 50 locations in 26 cities and towns that are offering walk-up coronavirus vaccine appointments.

Supply is beginning to outpace demand for more places across the state, and vaccine appointments are more readily available.

“It’s never been easier to get vaccines; right now, there’s walk-up appointments around the state, same-day, next-day appointments,” said state Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe.