Two States Rescinding To-Go Cocktails
by David Klemt
Two states are putting an end to a lifeline that many restaurants and bars still rely upon as the industry attempts recovery.
Unfortunately, New York and Pennsylvania are rescinding to-go cocktail laws. Sadly, we can only hope this doesn’t lead to a state legislature domino effect.
The decision stands in stark contrast to states that chose to legalize to-go cocktails this year.
Pandemic Lifeline
Call it cynicism if you like, but it seems that our industry is constantly left to fend for itself.
For example, look at how long it took for the the American Rescue Plan to be voted into law. The bill, which included the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, didn’t pass the House until March of 2021.
Also, the awarding of Paycheck Protection Program stimulus loans was a farce and disaster.
Then, remember that the RRF application portal didn’t launch until the end of April. Of course, the fund has been depleted already and the portal closes July 14.
Obviously, restaurants and bars adapted and leaned into delivery, takeout, and pickup in an attempt to survive. In addition, several states made to-go cocktails legal temporarily.
Ultimately, some states made those “loose” laws permanent. Iowa was the first state to do so.
Now, operators in New York and Pennsylvania are having that lifeline yanked out of their hands.
Disappointing Development
Less than a month ago I reported on how several states (and Canadian provinces) are choosing to handle to-go cocktails.
So far, eleven states made them legal permanently: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Other states chose to keep their to-go cocktail rules loosened until 2022 or 2023: Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Virginia, and Washington.
Still others—New York and Pennsylvania among them—introduced bills this year that sought to make to-go cocktails legal permanently: Arizona, California, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Oregon.
So, rather than keep their rules loose and continue to help their operators generate much-needed revenue as they try to recover from the economic devastation of the pandemic, New York and Pennsylvania voted to take to-go cocktails away from them.
Rather than help the industry, too many politicians and officials have used them during the pandemic as scapegoats, punching bags, and public relations stunts.
It’s clear that operators in New York and Pennsylvania (and many other states, to be fair) need to send a unified message when elected officials need venues for campaigning and fundraising.
Image: Heidi Kaden on Unsplash