Californians will continue to be able to order alcoholic beverages to-go for an additional three years, following the approval of legislation that extends the temporary policy from the pandemic until 2029.
Assembly Bill 2663 is now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature. The existing law that permits restaurants to sell cocktails for off-site enjoyment is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026.
The legislation allows restaurants to provide cocktails in sealed containers, such as canned cocktails, or any containers with secure, sealed lids.
However, there is a stipulation: consumers must buy these drinks alongside a meal.
This policy was initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to support restaurants grappling with indoor dining restrictions. It seems, though, that the appeal of cocktails to-go has generated enough support to warrant this extension.
“Adult consumers in California can look forward to enjoying cocktails to-go for yet another five years. It started as a crucial support for local eateries but has evolved into a favored option for many,” said Adam Smith, vice president of state government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the US.
According to Smith, keeping this option available allows local businesses to satisfy customer demand while offering adults more opportunities to savor restaurant-quality cocktails at home, which is rather nice, I suppose.
California is now one of the fewer states where to-go cocktails remain temporarily allowed. New Jersey permits takeaway cocktails on a similar temporary basis, but has not established an end date. New York’s law is set to run out on April 9, 2030.
On the other hand, 32 states and Washington, DC have opted to make cocktails to-go a permanent fixture, according to the Distilled Spirits Council.
This legislation is applicable solely to adults and does not alter the current laws around alcohol consumption.
If Governor Newsom signs the bill, Californians will be able to continue enjoying their favorite drinks, like margaritas or martinis, to take home with their meals up until 2029.
