Thirteen states recently have filed bills to extend or make permanent cocktails to-go, and many more are expected to follow to boost restaurants and bars on the brink of closing, according to the Hospitality Recovery Coalition.
The 13 states are: Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas and Virginia.
The Hospitality Recovery Coalition, an initiative led by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) in partnership with the American Distilled Spirits Alliance (ADSA), the Council of State Restaurant Associations (CSRA), the National Restaurant Association and TIPs, praised the movement as a critical next step in supporting hospitality businesses struggling to cope with the harsh economic impacts of COVID-19.
“Last month alone, the U.S. hospitality industry lost 372,000 restaurant and bar jobs,” said Distilled Spirits Council President & CEO Chris Swonger on behalf of the coalition. “Innovative measures like cocktails to-go won’t fully solve the hospitality industry’s economic woes, but it may help these businesses hang on during this COVID-19 emergency. Passing cocktails to-go measures legislatively provides stability and certainty for the future. As representatives of distilleries, restaurants and bars, we applaud the decisive action of state legislators on this issue and look forward to seeing more cocktails to-go legislation being filed across the U.S.”
Background:
Currently, more than 30 states plus the District of Columbia are allowing restaurants and/or bars to sell cocktails to-go, bottled spirits to-go or both. Iowa and Ohio have both made cocktails to-go permanent.
The Hospitality Recovery Coalition is committed to responsibility and encourages moderation for adults who choose to drink alcohol. Cocktails to-go are intended for home consumption. Laws governing alcohol consumption must always be observed.