Alcohol delivery laws introduced during the pandemic helped many restaurants stay profitable when foot traffic slowed due to dine-in restrictions. Now, many states and provinces have made these changes permanent after recognizing the many positive impacts of alcohol delivery, including boosting the average check size for takeout and delivery orders.
Of course, these rules differ considerably across North America and change frequently. While states like Iowa, Ohio, and Oklahoma have made alcohol delivery permanent, other states have made no changes to their liquor laws. The same is true in Canada, with provinces such as Ontario and Manitoba making the change permanent, while places like Nunavut and Yukon have not introduced any new laws.
Though red tape may still be an issue in some places, looser delivering alcohol laws have given restaurants a way to make the most of a valuable income stream. And with simple tools like TouchBistro Online Ordering, offering alcohol delivery is easier than ever before.
To help your restaurant navigate changing liquor laws and the new world of alcohol delivery, we’ll cover:
Can restaurants deliver alcohol?
Which U.S. states and cities allow alcohol delivery and pickup
Which Canadian provinces allow alcohol delivery and pickup
The benefits of alcohol delivery for your restaurant
How restaurants are adapting to looser alcohol delivery laws
To jump ahead to a specific state, click the links below:
Early on in the pandemic, many states and municipalities were quick to relax, delivering alcohol laws to help struggling restaurants boost sales of takeout and delivery orders. But while dining restrictions are no longer in place, rising food prices, inflation, and the increased cost of labor all mean that many restaurants could still benefit from the boost in average check size that alcohol to go can provide. The challenge is, alcohol delivery laws differ from state to state, which continues to cause confusion around what restaurants can and cannot do.
Below, we break down the 2024 changes to alcohol delivery laws by state and answer the question of can restaurants deliver alcohol in each state.
Note: This list is current as of January 1, 2024. Please check with your current local ordinances before offering alcohol delivery or takeout.
On July 1, 2022, a new bill went into effect that would allow any licensed restaurants to purchase alcohol for off-premise consumption, including drive-thru and curbside pickup. As of January 1, 2023, this bill is still in effect.
The volume of alcoholic beverages that can be sold curbside will align with what is permitted under the home delivery law in Alabama as of August 1, 2023.
For the latest updates on alcohol delivery in Alabama, check the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board’s website.
Alaska
In April of 2020, Alaska’s alcohol board approved new rules allowing restaurants to deliver beer and wine alongside food deliveries. Later, new regulations to extend alcoholic curbside and delivery on a permanent basis were signed and filed by The Lieutenant Governor on March 15, 2021.
On March 20, 2020, the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control implemented Governor Ducey’s Executive Order allowing restaurants to temporarily offer alcohol for sale with delivery and takeout orders. Under this new rule, restaurant licensees were able to temporarily sell alcohol through delivery, pickup, and curbside service, provided that the beverages are in sealed containers.
As of January 1, 2022, a new law allows bars and liquor stores to start selling cocktails for takeout and delivery, and gives restaurants the ability to sell either alcoholic beverages in the original packaging or cocktails for takeout and delivery.
On March 19, 2020, the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control issued a temporary rule, allowing restaurants and microbreweries to temporarily sell beer and wine for off-site consumption for the next 30 days.
Then on April 14, 2021, Governor Asa Hutchinson signed Senate Bill 339 into law, which would allow alcohol delivery permanently. Bill 339 went into effect January 1, 2022. Restaurants still need a valid alcohol beverage permit to sell alcohol to go in sealed containers and during legal operating hours. Under this bill, restaurants are still not allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays.
As of March 20, 2020, all restaurants in California were permitted to sell beer, wine, and pre-mixed drinks or cocktails for pickup or delivery, provided the drinks have a secure cap or lid (i.e. no openings for straws). Alcoholic beverages also had to be sold in conjunction with meals.
Any restaurant taking advantage of the new measures was also required to post a notice – either on the premises or online – that puts consumers on notice of limitations regarding open container laws.
As of October 8, 2021, the Governor approved Senate Bill 389, a measure that would allow establishments, including restaurants and bars, already selling alcohol to sell pre-made cocktails for pickup through December 31, 2026.
Unlike the previous provision, cocktails to go need to be picked up directly by the consumer, and delivery is not permitted. The restaurant, bar, or distillery must also sell food on its premises, and beverages have to be transported in a trunk, or in a vehicle, that is not otherwise occupied by a driver or passengers.
In Colorado, restaurants were temporarily permitted to delivery alcohol with food or sell it with takeout orders. This includes beer, wine, liquor, and mixed drinks. However, breweries or distillery pubs may not provide mixed drinks – only products manufactured on-site.
On June 22, 2021, Governor Pollis signed a new bill that allows restaurants to continue selling and delivering alcohol to go until July 1, 2025.
Two days after Delaware Governor John Carney shut down restaurants for dine-in service on March 16, 2020, he permitted restaurants, brewpubs, taverns, and taprooms to sell alcohol to go, including cocktails.
In June of 2020, a bill was signed into law allowing restaurants to continue to sell alcoholic beverages for take-out, curbside or drive-thru service. It’s important to note that House Amendment 1 removed the requirements that takeout, curbside, or drive-thru orders needed to include complete meals, and that the cost for alcoholic beverages could not exceed 40% of the licensee’s total sales transactions.
Restaurants, brewpubs, taverns, and taprooms can now permanently sell alcohol to go under House Bill 290, passed in April of 2022. This new bill allows food and drink establishments to sell alcoholic drinks for curbside pickup, takeout, or drive-thru. Restaurants must sell a minimum of $10 worth of food as part of an alcohol to-go order, and seal alcoholic drinks in a container.
Following the lead of other states, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that he would allow restaurants to deliver alcohol in sealed containers for off-premises consumption. Under Executive Order Number 20-71, alcohol must be ordered alongside food and anyone getting alcohol delivered will be required to show valid ID.
On May 13, 2021, the program temporarily put in place in March was made permanent when the Governor signed the “alcohol to go” bill into law. The new bill allows restaurants to continue to sell alcoholic drinks and take-home meals.
To qualify, establishments must make 51% of their revenue from the sale of food and non-alcoholic drinks. Additionally, all orders placed must be paired with a food purchase, and alcohol in an order must be sealed.
During the pandemic, Georgia permitted the sale of alcoholic beverages via carry-out, drive-in window, online sales, or curbside delivery/pickup as long as the venue was in compliance with Georgia Revenue Regulations 560-2-3-.03, 560-2-3-.09, and 560-2-3-.15 (details of which can be found here). Under these rules, licensees were prohibited from selling distilled spirits.
A new law went into effect on August 3, 2020, that allowed licensed alcohol retailers, including restaurants, brewpubs, and bars, to permanently gain benefits from alcohol to go and delivery sales. However, it’s important to note that licensed alcohol manufacturers like breweries and distilleries are still prohibited from delivering alcohol.
On May 5, 2021, Governor Brian Kemp signed SB 236 into law, legalizing to-go cocktails in restaurants and bars. This law allows restaurants in Georgia to meet the strong customer demand for both curbside and takeout orders. Restaurants must have a food service permit and a license to serve spirits. As well, alcoholic beverages can only be picked up by the person who orders. This means cocktails cannot be delivered by third-party services like Uber Eats or Postmates, for example.
Keep in mind that local municipalities in Georgia can choose to opt out of alcohol-related legislation, so it’s best to check the alcohol to go rules with your local jurisdiction.
In April of 2020, Hawaii restaurants were permitted to begin selling beer, wine, and pre-packaged cocktails for takeout, pick-up, and delivery. As part of the order, restaurants must have a liquor license. As of January 1, 2024, these rules were still in effect.
There is no set expiration date for to-go alcohol sales, and the governor has not declared when the order will be lifted. With this in mind, many restaurants and bars are hoping the legalized sales of take-away alcohol will be made permanent.
In response to COVID-19 dining restrictions, the Idaho State Police Bureau of Alcohol Beverage Control updated its rules surrounding the sale of beer and wine for off-premises consumption via takeout or delivery. Restaurants with an existing beer and wine license could begin selling bottles and cans of beer to go for off-premises consumption, as well as to-go mixed drinks.
As of January 2024, alcohol delivery is still permitted in Idaho. Only beer and wine may be delivered, while liquor must be served in a sealed container and picked up by the customer.
Like New York, Illinois was quick to loosen its state liquor laws during the early days of the pandemic. On March 16, 2020, the state issued an executive order that encouraged restaurants and bars to sell alcohol “through means such as in-house delivery, third-party delivery, drive-through, and curbside pick-up.”
On January 13, 2021, the Illinois General Assembly passed House Bill 54 to provide retailers, including restaurants and bars, the ability to continue selling alcohol and to-go cocktails for takeout and delivery under certain guidelines.
Illinois’ to-go alcohol law was set to expire on January 3, 2024, but has since been extended until August 1, 2028, allowing restaurants to serve “cocktails to-go.”
At the start of the pandemic, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb loosened up some of Indiana’s liquor laws by issuing an executive order that let establishments sell carryout beer, wine, or spirits in unopened packages. However, only combined liquor license holders may deliver unopened alcohol to private homes.
On March 20, 2020, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation that temporarily allowed some bars and restaurants to sell liquor and wine to go.
In June of 2020, Iowa’s Governor signed legislation that permanently permits the sale of cocktails to go, and officially made Iowa the first state to keep a temporary alcohol delivery law.
On May 10, 2021, Governor Reynolds signed a new bill to allow businesses with liquor licenses to work with third party delivery companies – like Grubhub, DoorDash, and Uber Eats – to deliver liquor, wine, and beer. This initiative’s goal is to increase profitability for restaurants and bars. Further updates are available from Iowa’s Alcoholic Beverages Division. This new law went into effect on July 1, 2021, and was still in effect as of January 1, 2024.
Kansas
In March of 2020, Kansas unveiled one of the most specific new alcohol delivery laws. As per the March orders, Kansas bars, breweries, and restaurants with a liquor license were temporarily allowed to sell bottled beer and wine to go during the pandemic. However, the new rules stated that venues must designate “to go” parking spaces that are within 50 feet of the entrance, prohibiting any sales outside those 50 feet. Similarly, alcohol sales and physical delivery could only occur within a 50-foot radius of the licensed premises.
On May 19, 2021, a bill was signed to make the new alcohol to go and pick up rules permanent. With alcohol to go in place, grocery chains and the liquor industry are pushing for lawmakers to lift restrictions on deliveries and online sales next.
On March 19, 2020, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced that he would allow restaurants and bars to deliver alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like other states, alcohol must come in a closed and sealed original container. Alcohol must also be “incidental to the purchase of a meal,” meaning bulk orders are not permitted.
In the early weeks of the pandemic, Louisiana relaxed its state liquor laws to allow restaurants to sell sealed containers of beer, wine, and frozen specialty drinks with takeout and curbside pickup orders. Then a new state law in June of 2020 permitted alcohol delivery by a delivery company or third-party platform.
Later, House Bill 219 was signed and went into effect on August 1, 2021 to allow distilleries, bars, and restaurants to sell cocktails to go permanently.
For the most up-to-date information and guidelines around the state’s alcohol delivery and takeout laws, visit Louisiana’s Alcohol & Tobacco Control website.
Maine
In April of 2020, Maine’s Governor Janet Mills signed an executive order allowing restaurants to sell beer, wine, and cocktails to anyone who is also ordering food (as long as they are of age).
Recently in April of 2023, Governor Janet Mills signed into law a bill making it permanent for alcohol to be sold to-go from restaurants and bars. Part of the new law is that drinks need to be placed in the trunk or non-passenger compartments of the vehicle and labeled. Specific guidelines around Maine’s alcohol delivery laws and up to date information can be found on Maine’s Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations page.
Maryland
On March 19, 2020, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan joined other states in issuing an executive order to allow bars, restaurants, breweries, wineries, distilleries, and “other establishments with appropriate license” to deliver alcohol off-premises or sell alcohol for takeout if it is not consumed on the premises.
This bill was originally extended, but more recently, an update was made to the law, where takeout cocktails and other alcohol will no longer be permitted as of July 1, 2023.
On April 3, 2020, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a municipal relief bill that allowed Massachusetts restaurants licensed to sell alcohol to offer beer and wine for takeout and delivery. The Governor then signed a bill on July 20, 2020, allowing bars and restaurants to sell to-go cocktails with takeout and delivery food orders.
At the beginning of April 2022, new legislation was signed by Governor Baker that extended the authorization of bars and restaurants to sell alcohol to go in Massachusetts through April 1, 2023. One rule that restaurant owners need to keep in mind is that prices must match the cost of drinks consumed onsite.
Over the course of the pandemic, Michigan has passed several new liquor laws. In early July 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a 16-bill package for the hospitality industry, which allows restaurants and bars with a Class C liquor license to sell to-go cocktails, and permits businesses with a third-party facilitator service licensee to deliver those mixed cocktails, beer, and wine to customers. Customers can also order alcohol via third-party delivery apps like DoorDash.
Michigan’s updated alcohol to go and delivery laws are still in effect as of January 2022, and are expected to last through 2025. In the meantime, Michigan lawmakers are discussing whether or not to make alcohol to go laws permanent.
The new rules also stipulate that restaurants can only sell alcohol with food in its original, unopened packaging, and sales are capped at 72 ounces of beer, cider, or hard seltzer and 750 milliliters of wine per order.
In response to the pandemic, Mississippi began allowing restaurants to sell single, sealed bottles of wine to go when the wine accompanies a pickup food order. Additionally, restaurants located in a Leisure and Recreation District (LRD) were permitted to sell mixed drinks with to-go food orders for curbside pickup, provided they have the appropriate license.
As of July 1, 2021, House Bill 1135 went into effect, which allows licensed businesses and restaurants to deliver liquor, beer, wine, or light spirits to customers within a 30-mile radius. Moreover, deliveries cannot be made to anyone appearing intoxicated or to dry counties/cities.
These new restrictions were still in place as of January 2024.
In April of 2020, the Missouri Department of Public Safety waived restrictions on the sale of to-go mixed drinks by restaurants and bars, provided that customers also purchased a meal.
On August 28, 2021, a new Missouri ‘to-go alcohol’ sales law took effect, making the previous waiver that allowed restaurants to sell take-out mixed drinks permanent. Note that the alcohol containers must be durable, leak-proof, and sealed, and not exceed 128 ounces. The new law also extends the hours to which businesses can sell alcohol on Sundays, from 6 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. Monday, the same hours that apply to the rest of the week.
In March of 2020, the Montana Department of Revenue began allowing certain businesses with an active alcoholic beverages license to sell and deliver alcohol for off-premises consumption. These rules stipulate that food must also be ordered.
On May 25, 2021, Governor Ricketts signed the measure into law that allows restaurants to offer carry-out alcohol permanently. The law applies to restaurants and farm wineries with licenses. To-go alcohol must also be sold to consumers in a sealed and tamper-evident container, and it must not be partially consumed.
In Nevada, the question of whether restaurants can deliver alcohol is a bit complicated, because the state’s alcohol delivery and pickup laws vary widely by county and even by city.
For instance, Las Vegas has permitted restaurants to offer curbside pickup and delivery of alcohol. In January 2021, a new bill was passed that allows Las Vegas restaurants to now deliver cocktails, beer, bottles, and more via third-party services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Postmates. This law was still in effect as of January 2024.
Just two days after all New Hampshire restaurants and bars were ordered to close their dining areas, Governor Chris Sununu issued an emergency order allowing restaurants to sell beer and wine with takeout orders. The temporary authorization applied to any establishment that already had a restaurant license and a license for on-premise alcohol consumption.
In July 2021, a new bill was signed to allow restaurants to continue offering takeout and delivery. In order to continue delivering takeout, bars and restaurants need to pay $250 per year in licensing fees to the New Hampshire Liquor Commission. This bill was still in effect as of January 1, 2024.
In New Jersey, restaurants and bars with the appropriate licenses were permitted to include alcohol with takeout and delivery orders. In May 2020, a bill was also passed that expanded this to include mixed drinks, provided they are sold in closed and sealed containers.
In August 2022, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control adopted a new rule to allow bars, restaurants, and liquor stores to use third-party delivery services like DoorDash, Instacart, and Amazon Flex. Businesses interested in offering third-party alcohol deliveries can apply for a third-party delivery permit with the Division’s licensing department for a fee of $2,000. The permit expires at the end of June of each year and can be renewed annually.
Unlike other states, New Mexico did not initially permit the sale of alcohol for off-premise consumption.
However, in January 2021, lawmakers introduced a new bill that allowed restaurants to deliver beer and wine with a minimum $25 food purchase.
On July 1, 2021, a number of bills signed into law went into effect, including significant changes to New Mexico’s liquor laws. New Mexico would allow for alcohol delivery from restaurants, liquor stores, grocery stores, breweries, wineries, distilleries, and third-party delivery drivers. These changes were still in effect as of January 1, 2024.
New York was one of the first states to allow restaurants to sell alcohol for pickup and delivery. On March 16, 2020, the New York State Liquor Authority announced that all licensed on-premises establishments could sell alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption, as long as the alcohol was accompanied by food. This included mixed drinks, as long as the beverage was placed in a closed container.
As of June 23, 2021, New York bid farewell to cocktails to go, when Governor Cuomo announced the state of emergency would end the next day. Unfortunately, no laws were passed during 2021 that would have extended the previous ruling for one to two more years.
However, revoking alcohol to go received enormous pushback from restaurants. And on April 1, 2022, the New York State Senate voted to bring back alcohol to go as part of the $220 billion state budget. The new measure, which became effective immediately, allows restaurants to sell liquor and wine for delivery and takeout until April 2025. Only businesses that serve alcohol on-premise are allowed to offer it to go, and to-go orders must include a “substantial food item”.
Early in the pandemic, North Carolina permitted the sale of wine and beer to go, provided the drink remains in the manufacturer’s original container.
Then, in December of 2020, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed off on an order allowing bars and restaurants to sell mixed alcoholic beverages for carryout and delivery. As of June 1, 2021, Governor Copper’s orders allowing mixed drinks to go expired, and it is not likely to come back anytime soon. There is very little support from the community as demonstrated by the low number of participants when cocktails to go was in effect – only five of 700 bars participated in North Carolina.
As of January 1, 2024, alcohol to go was still not permitted in North Carolina. However, there are conversations being held that aim to overhaul alcohol policies in the state, including alcohol delivery from bars and restaurants.
On April 7, 2020, the Ohio Liquor Control Commission passed an emergency rule to allow establishments with an existing on-premises liquor permit to begin selling and delivering alcohol.
In October 2020, this order was made permanent under House Bill 669. The new bill allows restaurants, bars, small breweries, micro-distilleries, and wineries to sell alcoholic beverages for carryout or delivery, as long as it accompanies a meal.
In January 2021, a similar bill was signed, House Bill 674, allowing alcohol to be delivered to a consumer’s doorstep as long as it remains in its original container. Deliveries can be made seven days a week, on holidays, and around the clock with new extended hours. As of January 1, 2024, this law was still in effect.
The Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission announced that it would allow restaurants to deliver alcohol. These rules apply to restaurants, bars, and clubs holding mixed beverage, beer, and wine, or caterer/mixed beverage licenses.
In May of 2020, Senate Bill 1928 made the new alcohol delivery and pickup laws permanent. Only employees of those restaurants and bars that hold the proper liquor license can continue to deliver spirits, wine, or beer. Alcohol delivery via a third-party company, like Postmates or DoorDash was not permitted.
In November 2022, several new bills were signed that changed how Oklahomans can serve alcohol permanently. SB 169 expands the definition of an original container of alcohol to-go to include manufactured mixed drinks, like canned cocktails. SB 269 allows restaurants and bars to sell to-go alcohol at a lower price than on-premise drinks.
In Oregon, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission eased regulations on how businesses can serve alcohol. Under the new rules, restaurants that sell beer and wine to go – meaning those that currently have an Off-Premise License – could offer curbside pickup, as long as it was within 100 feet of the establishment.
On June 1, 2021, the Oregon House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 317, to allow restaurants and bars to sell cocktails to go permanently as of June 11, 2021, only if they’re in a sealed container. You can find more details on Oregon’s Drinks To Go website page.
In Pennsylvania, restaurants with the right permits were already permitted to sell beer and wine for takeout.
However, in May of 2020 a new law was passed allowing restaurants, bars, and hotels to sell mixed drinks to go in sealed containers, as long as those businesses hold R or H liquor licenses, have lost more than 25% of their average monthly sales, and also sell prepared meals for takeout.
In March of 2022, Senator Daniel Laughlin introduced SB 1138, a new bill to permanently let to-go cocktails be sold by restaurants and bars. This bill still needs a Senate committee hearing and vote before it can be signed into law.
In March of 2020, Rhode Island’s Governor Gina Raimondo signed an executive order allowing restaurants to sell takeout beer and wine. Then in May 2020, the Governor announced that restaurants holding Class B liquor licenses could also sell mixed drinks and growlers of beer with takeout orders. However, alcohol delivery was not permitted.
On February 10, 2022, the Rhode Island General Assembly approved a new bill that would permanently allow alcohol to go sales. This legislation has given restaurants the right to sell beer, wine, and mixed drinks as takeout orders.
In March of 2020, Governor Henry McMaster issued a temporary executive order allowing restaurants to sell beer and wine with drive-through and curbside pick-up orders (not delivery).
The temporary order ultimately expired, but since then, there have been multiple attempts to bring back the looser liquor laws. The most recent bill, Bill (S. 425), was introduced in 2023 and is still with the Senate, which means alcohol delivery and curbside pickup is not currently legal in South Carolina.
Unlike many other states, South Dakota has not issued any special permissions for alcohol delivery by restaurants. However, those establishments that already have an off-sale delivery license are permitted to use it.
On March 22, 2020, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 17, which authorized restaurants to offer alcohol, beer, and wine for takeout and delivery. All alcohol sales needed to be accompanied by food and served in sealed containers with a secure lid – no to-go cups permitted.
On July 1, 2021, a new law went into effect allowing the previous executive order to be extended through July 1, 2023. There was a push earlier in 2023 to make alcohol to-go permanent, but hospitality industry officials were unsuccessful, which makes selling alcohol to-go is no longer legal in Tennessee.
On March 18, 2020, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a waiver that temporarily allowed restaurants to deliver alcohol, as long as the drinks were accompanied by food purchases. This included beer, wine, and mixed drinks, as long as the drink was delivered in the original container that was sealed by the manufacturer.
On April 28, 2021, House Bill 1024 was approved by the Legislature to help restaurants and businesses keep their doors open with alcohol to go. The law was made permanent as of May 12, 2021.
Utah has some of the most rigid liquor laws in the state, so it is unsurprising that no special exceptions were made to allow alcohol delivery or pickup during the pandemic.
Since the early days of the pandemic, many petitions have been made by restaurants and bars to make alcohol delivery legal. On June 1, 2022, new liquor laws went into effect to allow bars and restaurants to offer beer to go in sealed containers, with the amount not exceeding two liters. As well, licensed restaurants must ensure that guests have eaten before getting a beer to go.
In 2020, Vermont Governor Phil Scott announced that he would be waiving the usual rules surrounding alcohol delivery. This directive meant that restaurants and bars were allowed to sell beer, wine, spirits, and “spirit-based products” (i.e. cocktails) for takeout and delivery, as long as the alcohol was accompanied by a meal.
More recently, new legislation was passed allowing licensed restaurants to sell alcohol for off-premise consumption until July 2025.
However, many Vermonters want these alcohol to go laws to stay. In a national survey, 60% of respondents were in favor of legalizing alcohol to go permanently.
In Virginia, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority adjusted its regulations to allow restaurants to sell beer or wine in sealed containers for curbside pickup or delivery during the pandemic. Mixed drinks were also permitted.
On July 1, 2022, new laws went into effect, which extended the ability for restaurateurs to continue selling cocktails to go until July 1, 2024.
Early on in the pandemic, the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board passed a temporary rule allowing licensed restaurants and bars to sell to-go spirits, beer, and wine for takeout or delivery. In May 2020, the Board further announced that restaurants with Spirits, Beer, and Wine licenses could also sell premixed alcohol drinks for pickup or delivery.
In the early days of the pandemic, the D.C. Council passed an Emergency COVID-19 Response Bill that allowed restaurants to add wine, beer, and spirits to takeout and delivery orders.
According to the most recent update from the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration, curbside delivery of alcohol is permitted with a food order of one or more items and is in a closed container. For more information, check out their website.
West Virginia
The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration originally permitted limited home delivery by certain licensees during the current State of Emergency. Under this new rule, restaurants could deliver beer or wine (no liquor or mixed drinks) in the sealed original container, as long as the owner of the license is delivering takeout food orders.
On April 10, 2021, a new law passed by the West Virginia Legislature allowed restaurants to apply for a permit to offer alcohol to go and third-party delivery options, like Uber Eats and Grubhub. The law went into effect as of May 10, 2021.
In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue issued Emergency Order #8, allowing certain liquor license holders the ability to provide carry-out orders of alcoholic beverages in their original, sealed containers (if permitted by municipal ordinance).
On March 26, 2021, the state legislature passed a new law that lets bars and restaurants sell mixed cocktails to go in individual containers. As of January 2024, the law is still in effect.
In March 2020, Wyoming’s Governor Mark Gordon signed an executive order allowing restaurants to sell beer and wine with takeout and curbside food purchases. However, the third continuation of the order expired part-way through 2020.
Currently, the question of whether restaurants can deliver alcohol in Wyoming is dependent on the type of liquor license the restaurant holds. Restaurants that operate under a Full Retail Liquor License can deliver alcohol or offer alcohol with takeout.
However, most restaurants in the state operate under a Restaurant Liquor Licence, which prohibits alcohol sales for off-premise consumption. This means that if you’re a restaurant with a Restaurant Liquor Licence, you cannot deliver alcohol or offer alcohol with takeout. The same hold for a Bar & Grill liquor license.
On February 9, 2021, Governor Gordon signed House Bill 13 with the effective date of July 1, 2021. The new legislation clarifies that businesses with a retail liquor license can deliver or contract third parties to deliver liquors and malt beverages to customers. As of January 1, 2024, this law was still in effect.
Among the changes is the redefinition of the serving area in restaurants. Before, restaurants had to have a specific room to serve alcohol, but now that requirement is removed. However, restaurants are still required to have food as their “primary source of revenue,” but they no longer need to be “full-service” to obtain a permit to sell alcoholic beverages. For the latest updates to Wyoming’s liquor laws, check with Wyoming’s Department of Revenue.
2024 Canadian Alcohol Delivery Laws by Province and Territory
Alberta
In Alberta, a Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) Regulation amendment was issued allowing licensed restaurants and bars to sell alcohol as part of their takeout and delivery services. The new temporary law, among other new measures, was announced in a March 2020 news release. It was later announced that restaurants and bars could continue to offer alcohol delivery and pickup even after the end of pandemic restrictions. This law was still in effect as of January 1, 2024. More information about these guidelines is available from the AGLC.
British Columbia
On March 22, 2020, the B.C. government temporarily changed the province’s liquor laws to allow restaurants to deliver alcohol. Customers are only allowed to purchase alcohol if they are also purchasing a meal, and other liquor laws still apply, such as age restrictions.
On March 12, 2021, the province announced that this provincial regulation was now permanent.
In response to pressure from Manitoba restaurant owners, Premier Brian Pallister announced that Manitoba would allow restaurants to sell alcohol for takeout and delivery orders. The new order applied to licensed establishments whose primary business is food, therefore all alcohol sales had to be accompanied by orders of food.
On April 15, 2020, the new legislation was made permanent, meaning restaurants can continue to sell sealed beer, wine, cider, and coolers for takeout and delivery.
As of May 24, 2022, new legislation has also been introduced to make it easier for pop-up or seasonal businesses and wine bars to obtain a liquor license.
Back in April of 2020, New Brunswick temporarily permitted the sale of alcohol for takeout and delivery under the Emergency Measures Act.
On May 4, 2021, the province announced new amendments to the Liquor Control Act that allowed restaurants to sell alcoholic drinks with takeout orders permanently. Changes to the act require employees to take an online training course, as outlined in the province’s news release.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, alcohol delivery with food orders was officially made permanent in October of 2020. Alcohol can also be sold alongside takeout orders.
In May of 2020, the Northwest Territories’ Department of Finance announced changes to the territory’s liquor regulations that allow for liquor delivery. According to the new rules, restaurants and bars must also establish their own alcohol delivery service, and cannot use private services or taxi drivers. As of 2022, these expanded rules are still in effect.
In March of 2020, Premier Stephen McNeil announced that alcohol can be sold with takeout orders indefinitely.
On May 26, 2021, the Nova Scotia government announced new changes effective immediately to the Liquor Licensing Regulations. Restaurants are now allowed to include cocktails and mixed drinks for delivery or takeout with food orders as well. As of January 1, 2024, these changes were still in effect.
As of April 1, 2022, completion of training is also required for those delivering alcohol with food orders as a third-party, whether as an employee or independent worker. Orders of alcohol will also be restricted to three times the value of the food ordered, and the minimum fine for illegally providing it increases to $3,000.
In March of 2020, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario announced a new measure permitting licensed restaurants and bars in Ontario to sell alcohol with takeout and delivery orders. Alcohol could also be sold for takeout or delivery through a third-party app (i.e. Uber Eats, Foodora, SkipTheDishes), provided they are acting on behalf of the licensee.
At the end of 2020, Ontario announced that it would permanently allow licensed restaurants and bars to include alcohol with food as part of takeout or delivery orders. Specific alcohol delivery guidelines are available from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
Prince Edward Island
In December of 2020, Prince Edward Island announced that restaurants with a package sales license can permanently offer home delivery of alcohol to provincial residents, and that will continue going forward.
In December of 2020, the Quebec National Assembly passed Bill 72, which allows restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages through third-party delivery apps (like Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes, and CHK PLZ) alongside food orders. Previously, only restaurant owners who conducted their own deliveries were able to deliver alcohol with a meal.
As for takeout orders, restaurants can sell alcoholic beverages in sealed containers (e.g. wine, beer, and cider, but not hard liquor containing over 7% alcohol content) for takeout as long as the alcohol is accompanied by some food.
As of November 2021, restaurants in Saskatchewan that hold a valid liquor permit can sell alcohol with takeout and delivery orders. Restaurants, however, will not be able to establish retail displays or have in-location shipping for takeout alcohol.
As of February 2022, the Yukon’s guidelines for bars and restaurants do not permit the sale of alcohol for takeout and delivery. No new legislation has been passed on this issue since then.
3 Creative Ways Restaurants Are Selling Alcohol To Go
With alcohol delivery served as a beacon of relief throughout the pandemic, many restaurants can still take full advantage of this revenue-driving opportunity in 2024 and beyond. From takeout cocktails to Champagne on demand, here are some of the creative ways that restaurants are using alcohol delivery to boost sales.
1. Creative Food and Drink Pairings
Most states and provinces that permit alcohol delivery and pickup require that orders be accompanied by a meal or food of some kind. As a result, many restaurants have come up with creative pairings for their food and drinks selections.
To cater to customers that are more interested in grabbing a nice bottle of wine than a full meal, New York City’s La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels pairing its extensive wine list with snackable charcuterie boards. This clever pairing allows the wine bar to continue selling curated four-packs and six-packs of wine, without the need to keep the kitchen churning out gourmet meals.
Similarly, Brooklyn’s The Four Horsemen has nixed its $36 prix fixe meal takeout, and is now offering small snacks like Iberico ham chips with wine deliveries to keep kitchen costs to a minimum.
For other restaurants, food and drink pairing is a way to boost check sizes on takeout and delivery orders, rather than a way to keep kitchen costs down. For instance, L.A, taqueria Petty Cash gives customers the option to add a bottle of four Petty Cash margaritas to the restaurant’s Taco Dinner meal deal, for just an extra $22.
2. DIY Cocktail Kits
Though not all states and provinces allow for the sale of hard liquor, some do. For restaurants in those areas, the ability to sell hard liquor has led to the sale of cocktail kits that customers can prepare at home.
For instance, Nice Guys in Cape Coral, Florida created cocktail kits for its signature negronis, mules, mojitos, margaritas, and more. Each kit comes with bottles of liquor, as well as house mixers, garnishes, glasses, and detailed instructions.
Even cafes and breakfast joints have been able to take advantage of alcohol delivery by creating boozy brunch kits. For example, Houston’s Backstreet Cafe created Bloody Mary Kits, as well as Mimosa Kits that include a bottle of bubbly and a choice of orange juice or wild berry mix.
And in states such as New York, where the delivery of pre-mixed cocktails is permitted, some restaurants offer bulk ordering of their signature drinks. For instance, Patent Pending previously offered large-format cocktail delivery and even threw in a free roll of toilet paper for orders over $50.
3. Happy Hour Pricing
To boost alcohol sales, some restaurants have created special promotions to encourage delivery orders. Many are even branding their promotions as a new type of happy hour for the ever-expanding group of work-from-home employees.
In Chicago, Roots Pizza is one restaurant offering a happy hour delivery discount. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., customers can use a special code in the Roots app to enjoy half-off beer, wine, and White Claw.
In Austin, Cured at Pearl has extended happy hour even further, offering half-off drinks between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
And in some cases, restaurants are offering discounts all day long for customers that really need to unwind. For instance, Vancouver’s Homer St. Café and Bar is offering half-priced bottles of wine and $4 cans of beer to go with any food order – all day long. There’s no question that alcohol delivery offered restaurants a beacon of hope throughout the peak pandemic years. And with some of these looser liquor laws now permanent, alcohol delivery can serve as a valuable new source of revenue for years to come.
by
Katherine Pendrill
Katherine is the Content Marketing Manager at TouchBistro, where she writes about trending topics in food and restaurants. The opposite of a picky eater, she’ll try (almost) anything at least once. Whether it’s chowing down on camel burgers in Morocco or snacking on octopus dumplings in Japan, she’s always up for new food experiences.