Hochul rallies support for to-go sales of cocktails

New Yorkers could again buy takeout cocktails at restaurants and bars under a proposal Gov. Kathy Hochul boosted Wednesday, though state regulators could end up limiting how much alcohol patrons could buy and when.

Restaurant and bar owners have urged Hochul to reinstitute the sale of to-go alcoholic drinks, which the state temporarily authorized at the pandemic's onset. The policy proved popular with customers, but ended in late June 2021.

Hochul included the permanent legalization of takeout alcoholic beverages in her proposed budget, which she’s finalizing with lawmakers this month. If passed, the public would have a chance to comment on regulations for takeout sales.

“Yes, there has been opposition in the past, but I’m willing to take it to the people,” Hochul said. “You’ve heard from the businesses, we heard from consumers. And I believe that we’re making a very strong case to get this passed.

Customers can still purchase some drinks to-go: New York has allowed takeout sales of beer since the end of Prohibition, and restaurants can also sell partially consumed bottles of wine to-go.

But Hochul's proposal could add more alcoholic beverages like cocktails and bottles of wine, and allow state liquor regulators to limit the volume and quantity of drinks that restaurants and bars could sell. State regulators could also limit the time of day for takeout sales and require them to seal open beverages.

New York’s previous to-go policy required customers to also purchase food, but Hochul suggested that’s no longer necessary. “I don’t believe it will be necessary to have food associated with it,” she said.

New York’s to-go policy also allowed restaurants to sell bottles of liquor, drawing complaints from liquor store owners.

Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association...