A new state bill would permanently allow restaurants to sell alcohol as part of take-out orders in an attempt to alleviate the financial havoc the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed on California’s food service industry.
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control currently allows restaurants to sell cocktails with to-go meals, but Senate Bill 389, introduced by State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, would make the practice permanent.
“If allowing restaurants to sell carry out cocktails alongside a meal helps keep their doors open, we must do it. Ultimately, it’s about preserving jobs and getting our economy back on track,” said Dodd in a press release.
Restaurants nationwide are undergoing a $165 billion loss since March 2020, and a survey by the National Restaurant Association found that restaurant owners who sell take-out alcohol rehired laid off employees at a rate higher than owners who did not, according to the press release.
The legislation would not allow restaurants to sell take-out alcohol by itself, anyone who wants to a to-go cocktail must order food to accompany the beverage.
“The ability to include cocktails with to-go meals has been helpful for many restaurant owners who are barely hanging on,” said Jot Condie, president and CEO of the California Restaurant Association.
California needs to massively overhaul its liquor laws. So many downtown areas and businesses are massively restricted from their full potential due to the limitations on outdoor alcoholic beverages. Heinolds in Jack London Square should sprawl across that whole area. Todos Santos should have kiosks serving beer, wine and small bites in the grass. The lawn at Heather Farm should be the most popular place to be on a summer Saturday.
heck oregon sells illegal drugs, why can’t kalifornia do that too?
This should already be a law a long time ago. Instead you gotta buy a 6 pack and just bring it to the park with you or wherever you’re gonna go. No difference, except price.
Been drinking liquor-filled “go cups” forever! ⚜️
So they are going to change open container laws? I don’t get it. So now we can’t get busted with an open jug of booze in the car, but you could get beaten and tazed for letting your mask slip in line at Safeway? Sounds like more insanity. Remember when your church was shuttered but every marijuana store was open? California better find new leadership fast.
I was wondering the exact same thing
Exactly what I was thinking.. there would be way more liability on the restaurant’s part as well. Just let people come to the restaurants and order drinks as usual..
Deanz is right, this will make lawyers drool just at the thought of it…the law suits would be never ending…
I’m pretty sure the to-go cocktails aren’t going to come with a straw in them, ready to drink. A simple tape seal on the lid should be enough to show whether a drink has been opened before it gets to its destination.
Nope, they are not at all changing open container laws. The drinks will be subject to current laws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in public spaces where it’s not allowed to do so. Within a vehicle, the drinks must be closed and not within arms reach of the driver. It’s all in the text of the bill. It’s no different than buying alcohol from a grocery store or a convenience store – they should not be opened until you reach a private residence or a space that allows alcohol consumption.
Nobody has been beaten or tazed for a mask slip.
People don’t spend an hour in a marijuana store, they don’t sit next to other people, and they don’t sing or recite. There’s less chance of viral transmission. Most marijuana stores were outdoor service during the start of the pandemic, just like churches were. Now they are open, but allow a small amount of customers at a time.
Wait, so all you have to tell the cop is it’s a to-go-drink and you won’t get ticketed for an open container? Keep that proof of purchase in your glovebox.. What the hell is wrong with this state?
It’s a test to verify that Californian’s continue to be dumb enough to vote for anything.
We can’t defeat drunk driving until we introduce carry-out cocktails. Same logic as we can’t defeat Covid until we open the borders….
That’s not at all what the bill says. To-go drinks will be considered opened containers and cannot be consumed in public places where alcohol is prohibited. If carried from a restaurant, they must remain sealed. They cannot have straws in them. During vehicular transport, the drinks cannot be within arms reach of the driver. They should be stored in a trunk or the back seat of a vehicle.
It’s all in the bill. So to answer your question, what’s wrong with this state is that a lot of adults refuse to read legislative bills.
This state claims to have a war on drunk driving. This is more of a drunk driving facilitation bill. An open container in the back seat is an invitation for disaster. “But officer, I have short arms, there is no way I could reach that almost empty alcoholic beverage in the back seat.”
Tell that to the victim’s family.
Just turn everything upside down and it will look normal again.
Russ will be heading to Russian River Brewery “Yes, I’d like a keg of Pliny to go please!”
This all seems so silly to me. I quit alcohol 23yrs ago and do not miss it whatsoever. To all you folks who think we need ‘booze to-go’ I would ask you to think again about how ridiculous this is. Let’s open the economy and forget this craziness.
“Stop the insanity” is so right-on. All you “occasional drinkers” and Alkies are so hooked on such an unnecessary expensive commodity, that you would be so much better off without; that you just go nuts when someone tries to explain how much better your life would be without alcohol. Grow up kids! You are all slaves to grapes and grains. Sorry to be so blunt.
Texas allows passengers to have open containers and Louisiana has drive through Daquiri bars.
Had Mexican food delivered last weekend. Ordered a blended margarita with it. Came in a Mason jar full to the brim. I think they do that intentionally so one would know it has not been opened. They asked for Identification. I don’t really see this as a big deal and it was delicious by the way. Might just do it again this weekend. Was a bit pricey but it keeps them in business so I’m good with that.
This is a simple case, of “I want my tax money”. State realized this was a defensible tax – regardless of economy people purchaes alcohol.
If allowing restaurants to sell carry out cocktails alongside a meal helps keep their doors open, we must do it. Ultimately, it’s about preserving jobs and getting our economy back on track,” said Dodd in a press release.
Another way to keep the doors open and get the economy back on track is to…wait for it……
OPEN THE DOORS AND PRESERVE THE ECONOMY!!!
Bill Dodd is floating a solution to a problem that is a direct result of Bill Dodd’s party’s laws and mandates. The solution is simple. It was working before Gavin and the Dems screwed things up. Now it doesn’t work. So the answer to the problem is additional legislation? No, the answer to the problem is to go back to how things were when it was working.
Let the people decide if the risk is worth the meal, not the Govt.