NYC bars and restaurants can now sell to-go cocktails

March 17, 2020

To stop the spread of coronavirus, New York officials on Monday closed all restaurants and bars, with the exception of takeout and delivery services. The new rules, as mandated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Liquor Authority, allow businesses to sell to-go alcoholic beverages, including wine and liquor for the first time, as long as it is with a food purchase. This change in liquor laws will continue until April 15 but could be extended.

Previously, only breweries, microbreweries, and wineries had the right to sell to-go alcohol to customers. The rule change from the State Liquor Authority is an attempt to alleviate some of the impending financial hardship for these businesses caused by the pandemic, according to the governor.

“Stay home and order from your favorite restaurant, order from your favorite bar, order from your favorite winery, order from whatever establishment that you were thinking of patronizing,” Cuomo said during a press conference on Monday. “Just order it and stay at home.”

The off-premise alcoholic drinks must be sold in a closed and sealed container “of any size,” according to the restrictions, provided the sale is accompanied by the purchase of food and sales are consistent with open container ordinances. The drinks can be sold for both takeout and delivery.

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Today 3/17 and tomorrow 3/18 will offer pick up/delivery service between 12-7PM, and in light of the new directive from the Governor, we are offering ?COCKTAIL KITS ?to-go! Get all the fixing to make your own Honeychile Riders at home. Each kit comes with a bottle of booze, house-made syrups, and garnishes ? and we’ve got 5 cocktails for you to choose from ?. Cake ?, cookies ?, and pie ? will also be available for pickup or delivery so stock up! After Wednesday we will be closed until it’s deemed safe to reopen, in the meantime you can order merch and gift cards from our website. Thank you all so much for your unyielding support as we get through this, we are incredibly grateful and touched by the love we’re receiving. Clean hands, open hearts. xo Team Butter & Scotch

A post shared by Butter & Scotch (@drunkbakers) on Mar 17, 2020 at 7:36am PDT

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Per Gov. Cuomo’s announcement this morning. We will be offering a condensed menu of PDT Cocktails To Go. We are kegging and bottling these delicious drinks so you can taken them home and consume at a safe social distance. We are preparing everything right now and will be live by 3pm today. Call the bar to pre-order large format options or email me 212 614 0386 [email protected]. Sanitize yourself, come to 113 St Marks Pl and buy these tasty bevs from a safe distance.

A post shared by Jeff Bell (@jeffreymbell) on Mar 16, 2020 at 10:42am PDT

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Thank you for always supporting us we know everything is crazy right now but we’re here to help a little we will close at 8 pm to the general public (social distancing) but take out cups with your favorite cocktails will be available ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ✨✨✨ #ervlovesyou #happyhour #nyc #drinks #brooklyn #brooklynbars #nycbars #drinkoftheday #food #friends #alcohollovers #brooklynhappyhours #cocktails #flatbush #flatbushbars #beer #mixology #foodie #entrepreneurs #fluseason #corona #coronavirus #love #datenight #laugh #bartenders #fun #covid19 #socialdistance #shots

A post shared by Erv’s on Beekman (@ervsonbeekman) on Mar 16, 2020 at 3:24pm PDT

Some New York City places have already released their to-go cocktail menus, including Please Don’t Tell, Erv’s On Beekman, and Butter & Scotch, just to name a few. And as the same for any takeout or delivery orders, remember to tip workers generously during this precarious time for the industry.

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