New bill to allow restaurants to sell to-go cocktails

Restaurants, bars and liquor stores can now sell cocktails and alcoholic beverages to go, with the passing of a new legislation.

House Bill 2773, signed into law by Gov. Doug Ducey, allows restaurants to permanently sell to-go alcoholic beverages and cocktails to help bounce back from the pandemic.

“Business owners have shown that offering to-go beverages can be done responsibly and safely,” Ducey said. “House Bill 2773 will make sure restaurants and bars have the opportunity to expand operations and meet the needs of their customers, especially after weathering the effects of the pandemic.”

The law will not officially take effect until around Oct. 1. Restaurants will have to apply for another permit from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control to sell alcoholic beverages to go with food. Restaurants will also have to deliver through a third-party delivery service like Uber Eats or DoorDash. These third-party contractors would also not be able to deliver alcoholic beverages between 2 and 6 a.m., and restaurants will have to stop selling alcohol at the same time they stop selling food.

Many business owners think this bill will help them pick sales back up again. Lauren Walters, a bar manager at The Tennessee Grill in Anthem, views it as a good business opportunity, especially after doing takeout only during the pandemic.

“To-go alcohol and liquor saved us a good chunk,” Walters said. “It helped bring in a lot of revenue and a lot of money, and as far as it being permanent, I think it’s a great idea.”

The Tennessee Grill started off by selling growlers of beer, which customers could purchase and then return to refill when they’d finished the beer. It also sold 32 oz. margaritas and regular-sized cocktails in sealed plastic containers.

The restaurant isn’t currently selling to-go alcohol, due to a change in management and lack of correct licensing; however, Walters said there are plans to partake in permanent to-go cocktail sales when able, as long as the right protocols and safety measures are put in place, like age verification.

“I do think that there are going to have to be a lot of regulations that go with this bill,” she said. “Restaurants are a little more complicated, because we can be more liable in the sense of drinking and driving.”

Other managers and business owners agree with Walters that regulations should be in place.

Becca Harding, the general manager for Local Jonny’s Tavern and Cafe in Cave Creek, said that from a business standpoint, this bill is a great way to pick up sales and make up revenue lost during the pandemic. But it feels a little different from a safety standpoint.

“My first and foremost concern is the safety of transportation,” she said. “In regard to serving drinks, it’s a little concerning to me that there is going to potentially be an open container in the car.”

Local Jonny’s transitioned to to-go orders, selling food and alcoholic beverages during the pandemic to stay in business when in-person dining shut down. Harding said the restaurant opened its pantry and kitchen and sold essentials like toilet paper; napkins; plastic silverware; and a few foods, like ground beef and cheese.

“We did whatever we could to survive, and yes, selling alcohol and cocktails to-go was something we did participate in,” she said.

When the law officially goes into effect, Harding said Local Jonny’s will sell closed containers of wine and liquor, as well as growlers of craft beer. However, it will not sell cocktails to go.

Walters said that when The Tennessee Grill gets the right licensing and the right permits are obtained, the restaurant will partake in to-go alcoholic beverages.