Hochul Seeks To Permanently Legalize To-Go Drinks In NY

NEW YORK — One of the most popular measures to emerge during the pandemic might just become permanent, with Gov. Kathy Hochul advocating to make to-go drinks a fixture in New York.

The temporary measure to bolster restaurants hit hard by the pandemic, and which first ended in 2021, was reinstated in a three-year extension set to expire in 2025.

Hochul announced this week that she plans to make the to-go drink plan permanent in this year's state budget, due on April 1.

"During the darkest days of the pandemic, to-go drinks were a critical lifeline for our hospitality industry and a beloved treat for consumers," Hochul said in a statement to Patch. "Since then, we've legalized to-go alcohol on a temporary basis, and it's been wildly successful for bars, restaurants, and everyday New Yorkers. It's long overdue to permanently legalize to-go drinks, and in this year's budget we're going to get the job done."

In a social media post, Hochul added: "This is great news, a win-win not just for New York but also our small businesses. It's exciting. Cheers, NY!"

Hochul has supported the measure for years; In her 2022 state of the state address, she said, with an eye toward helping bar owners and restaurants, the to-go drinks would once again be green-lighted.

"Alcohol to-go" is something the New York State Restaurant Association has been advocating for since the pandemic crippled the restaurant industry.

The association did a survey in 2021 that found 78 percent of New Yorkers favor permanently allowing alcoholic beverages to be purchased with takeout or delivery orders from restaurants.

Seven hundred people living in New York were polled on the question from May 14 to May 20, 2021.

Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of the restaurant association, said the numbers don't lie — takeout alcoholic drinks are popular with customers and restaurant owners alike.

"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling restaurants were able to boost sales and keep doors open through the ability of selling alcoholic beverages with their orders," she said. "The same relief that was once needed at the height of the pandemic is still needed now. The restaurant industry needs stability now more than ever, and by making 'alcohol-to-go' permanent we can encourage a strong recovery."

Not everyone has applauded the plan: According to a 2022 New York Times post, liquor store owners said the measure could impact business — and other voiced concerns about drinking and driving, as well as public drinking.

With reporting by Michael Woyton.