Opposition is not about drinking & driving or partying in the streets, but over concerns by liquor-store owners that gin mills will be selling bottles off their shelves and out their doors

By Eric Bascome | Staten Island Advance

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A temporary law allowing New York’s bars and restaurants to sell to-go cocktails is set to expire next year, but the state’s top elected official is looking to make the popular program permanent.

The state’s to-go alcoholic beverages policy was first implemented in the early days of the pandemic to help bars and restaurants stay afloat as coronavirus policies closed their doors to the public.

The initial policy expired in June 2021, alongside former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s pandemic-related emergency powers, but was temporarily reinstated in New York’s 2022 budget with an expiration date of April 2025.

Now, roughly a year away from the expiration date, the governor has announced she will propose a permanent expansion of the program through an amendment to her $233 billion state budget proposal.

“During the darkest days of the pandemic, to-go drinks were a critical lifeline for our hospitality industry and a beloved treat for consumers.

“Since then, we’ve legalized to-go alcohol on a temporary basis, and it’s been wildly successful for bars, restaurants, and everyday New Yorkers. It’s long overdue to permanently legalize to-go drinks, and in this year’s budget we’re going to get the job done,” Hochul said in a statement.

If approved in the state budget, New York would become the 21st state to permanently allow the sale of to-go cocktails.

The potential permanent expansion has been lauded by leaders of the state’s restaurant and hospitality industries, claiming it will help struggling businesses that are still trying to rebound from financial losses associated with the pandemic.

“The entire hospitality industry is thankful that Governor Hochul once again recognizes the important role that drinks to-go has played for our businesses. From inflation to staffing challenges, our members face increasingly slim profit margins.

“There is a new battle each day and many will never get back the losses from the height of the pandemic. Simply put, every little bit helps. We urge the state Legislature to follow suit and make drinks to-go permanent,” said New York State Restaurant Association president and CEO Melissa Fleischut.

Added New York City Hospitality Alliance executive director Andrew Rigie: “It’s been great for consumers and important for restaurants alike ever since, so making this popular policy permanent makes sense, and is something we can all drink cheers to.” ##