The California Legislature passed SB 389, a bill to extend cocktails to-go until December 31, 2026, and sent it to Gov. Gavin Newsom for signature.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate California’s hospitality businesses, and it will be years before they fully recover,” said Adam Smith, vp-state government relations, Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. “Cocktails to-go has already proven to be a vital part of their survival during COVID-19 and will provide increased stability as they work to get back on their feet. Extending cocktails to-go for five years will provide a critical lifeline for California’s bars, restaurants and distilleries. We thank the legislature for passing this bill and encourage Governor Newsome to sign this measure into law.”
During COVID-19, more than 35 states began allowing restaurants and/or bars to sell cocktails to-go as an economic relief measure via executive orders or other temporary measures. Since then, 16 states and the District of Columbia passed legislation to make cocktails to-go permanent, and 14 other states passed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis.