Cocktails-To-Go Is Now PA Law: Here Are The Rules

HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday signed into law a bill that permits bars, restaurants and hotels to sell to-go cocktails for curbside pickup during the coronavirus shutdown.

The law, sponsored by Rep. Perry Warren of Yardley, goes into effect immediately.

"This new temporary rule creates more business for bars and restaurants when they need it, helps to meet customer demand and supports social distancing," said Wolf. "As we approach the holiday weekend, I encourage all Pennsylvanians to remember to drink responsibly."

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The law applies to establishments with liquor licenses who sell to-go meals and have lost at least 25 percent of their sales due to the coronavirus shutdown. Drinks must be sold in containers with a secure lid in quantities from 4-64 ounces.

Sales are allowed until 11 p.m.

"Our local restaurants are working hard to feed our communities during this difficult time," Warren said. "Act 21 both streamlines the process for residents to decide whether to permit alcohol sales in a 'dry' municipality and allows restaurants to add another product for their customers for curbside pickup and takeout during this crisis. I thank Gov. Wolf and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this bill."

The temporary rule will expire after the COVID-19 emergency ends and a participating business reaches 60 percent of its capacity.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board issued additional guidance on the rule on Thursday. Other aspects of the new law include:

• Drinks may include liquor and one or more mixers combined on the premises.
• Licensees may not sell mixed drinks containing wine or beer, unopened bottles of liquor, gallon jugs of cocktails, unopened ready-to-drink cocktails or straight liquor.
• Drinks may not be consumed on the premises.
• Containers must be designed to prevent drinking without removing the lid or cap. Lids with sipping or straw holes must have those holes covered.
• Drinks may be sold from 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m.-11 p.m. on Sundays if the licensee has a Sunday sales permit.
• There is no limit to the number of drinks-to-go a person may purchase and purchase of a meal is not required.
• Drinks-to-go may not be delivered.
• Within the next 60 days, locations selling drinks-to-go must start using a scan device to verify the age of anyone who looks younger than 35.
• Clubs and catering clubs may not sell drinks-to-go, nor can licensees whose license was objected to through the state's nuisance bar program.
• Residents are reminded it is illegal to have an open container of alcohol in a vehicle and open containers may only be transported in a vehicle's trunk or other area not occupied by passengers.

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