To-Go Alcohol Becomes Permanent In Several States

In an effort to alleviate the financial burden on bars and restaurants caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 30 states temporarily modified their laws to allow the sale of "to-go" alcoholic beverages. These temporary measures allowed for the pickup and delivery of alcoholic beverages for consumption off-premises from establishments that were traditionally restricted to serving alcohol for consumption on-premises, such as bars and restaurants. Although the pandemic took a heavy financial toll on bars and restaurants, there is evidence showing that temporary measures allowing to-go alcohol sales have helped bars and restaurants stay afloat. And, despite many establishments being forced to close their inside spaces, total revenue from sales of alcoholic beverages was up 2.0% last year, the largest gain in the United States since 2002.