To-Go Alcohol Could Be Back On New York's Budget Menu

NEW YORK CITY — New Yorkers might not be cut off from to-go alcohol after all.

The buzz is the impending final 2022-2023 state budget will include a provision for take-out wine and liquor drinks that lawmakers threatened to excise.

But don't pop the cork yet on celebrations — lawmakers still need to vote on the final budget, which is a week late. Andrew Rigie, who heads the NYC Hospitality Alliance, still raised a glass to news to-go booze will be more permanent.

"The popular policy’s return to the Empire State will serve as an important lifeline to countless restaurants in all corners of the state and allow New Yorkers to once again have wine delivered to their front door or to pick up a margarita with their takeout food from their favorite neighborhood restaurants," he said in a statement.

The to-go provision is slightly tweaked from what New Yorkers became used to over the pandemic.

Alcohol sales must be accompanied by "substantial" food and to-go sales will be the law of New York for at least three years, NBC4 first reported.