Sherrill signs COVID-era ‘Cocktails-to-go’ bill into law
| FREEHOLD – New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill this week signed legislation giving restaurants, bars and other eligible businesses more flexibility to sell and deliver alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption. The law, Senate Bill 4384, makes permanent rules first established during the COVID-19 pandemic allowing certain retail consumption licensees to sell mixed cocktails in closed and sealed containers for off-premises consumption. The law also grants holders of a craft distillery license the ability to sell and deliver their products for off-premises consumption under select conditions. These privileges were set to expire on Sept. 1. “New Jersey’s small businesses shouldn’t have to navigate outdated rules just to serve their customers and grow,” Sherrill said in a release. “Cocktails to-go worked, customers liked it, and small businesses told us it was another way to bring in revenue. Today, we’re making it permanent.” According to the National Restaurant Association, in states where alcohol-to-go is permitted 79% of wine drinkers, 77% of beer drinkers and 74% of cocktail drinkers were more likely to choose a restaurant for delivery based on ability to order cocktails to-go, illustrating the economic potential for New Jersey small businesses. “Cocktails to-go helped restaurants and bars keep business moving during the pandemic, and they have continued to be a convenient option for customers,” Sen. Vin Gopal said. “Making this permanent gives our hospitality businesses another way to serve their customers and generate revenue while keeping commonsense safeguards in place for the sale and delivery of alcohol.” “Making cocktails to-go permanent is a meaningful solution for New Jersey’s hospitality industry,” said Daniel Klim, New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association president and CEO. “This law preserves a popular and convenient option for customers while providing restaurants and bars with an additional revenue stream. We thank Governor Sherrill and the Legislature for their support and for ensuring this successful policy can continue.” The legislation permanently codifies those temporary provisions and allows businesses, such as restaurants, hotels and bars, with retail consumption licenses to: |
| Sell on-premises for off-premises consumption: (1) any alcoholic beverage in original containers, or (2) mixed alcoholic beverages in closed and sealed containers. Deliver to consumers for off-premises consumption: (1) mixed alcoholic beverages in closed and sealed containers, or (2) malted beverages (beer, hard seltzers, etc.), in original, sealed containers. Delivery can be made by the licensed entity or licensed third-party delivery services. |
| The legislation also permits craft distillery licensees to: |
| Sell on-premises for on-premises consumption mixed drinks using distilled alcoholic beverages that are manufactured on the licensed premises. Sell on the licensed premises for off-premises consumption (1) mixed drinks using distilled alcoholic beverages that are manufactured on the licensed premises in containers with a tamper-evident seal; and (2) distilled alcoholic beverages that are manufactured on the licensed premises in original containers and accompanied by nonalcoholic beverages or foodstuffs that may be combined by consumers to make a mixed drink. |
Leave a Reply