23 States Where You Can Order Cocktails to Go
Before the pandemic, only 12 states allowed direct-t0-consumer deliveries of all alcohol (wine, beer, and liquor). But as local governments try to support struggling food businesses facing an uncertain future, many governors have signed executive orders temporarily allowing restaurants, bars, and other establishments with alcohol permits to extend their alcohol offerings beyond the dining hall.
With the new looser restrictions in place, takeout and delivery of alcoholic drinks has become the temporary norm for the vast majority of states, while in 23 states these allowances now include mixed alcoholic drinks, too. These temporary changes may very well extend into the foreseeable future and become a permanent solution to new consumer behaviors we can expect to see post-pandemic.
Here's a list of states where you can get a cocktail to go with your food order. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest food news delivered straight to your inbox.
Arizona
Thanks to the governor's executive order from March, restaurants, bars, and breweries can sell any type of alcohol for takeout, drive-through, or delivery, as long as its part of a food order. This includes mixed drinks, too. Check out our list of best sports bars in each state to get ideas.
California
Alcohol delivery, including wine, beer, and spirits, was already allowed in California. The governor's executive order from March, however, extended that allowance to mixed drinks and cocktails as well, as long as unsealed drinks accompany food orders. Here are some changes you can expect to see as restaurants reopen.
Colorado
Delivery of wine, beer, and spirits was already allowed in Colorado, including through a third-party delivery. The governor's executive order from March extended the allowance to bars and restaurants, as long as the alcohol is accompanied by food (no matter how small the food order is). Here are some things that may be different at your local coffee shop.
Florida
In the state of Florida, any establishment with an on-premise alcohol license is able to sell alcohol for delivery or to go as long as it's in a sealed container. The governor's temporary order also allows licensed businesses to sell mixed drinks for off-premise consumption, as long as they are sold in "reasonable containers". Here are some other changes you'll see in bars and lounges.
Georgia
Although alcohol delivery is still prohibited in the state of Georgia, some mayors have authorized restaurants and bars in their cities to sell alcohol to go. In some places, like Atlanta, this includes mixed drinks. However, the local government is making strides toward changing the no-delivery policy on alcohol which would extend beyond the pandemic.
Hawaii
Thanks to an executive order, establishments with alcohol licenses in Hawaii are now allowed to sell alcohol for off-site consumption, as long as they are part of takeout or delivery orders that include food, and as long as the alcohol is unopened or prepackaged. This includes cocktails, too.
Idaho
While the delivery of alcohol remains prohibited in Idaho, the governor's emergency order temporarily allows for wine and beer deliveries. Unfortunately, that excludes delivery of liquor, which can only be sold by the drink in a sealed container and must be picked up by the customer on premises. In conclusion, cocktails to go are available! Check out our list of the sexiest cocktail bar in every state.
Kansas
An emergency order during the pandemic allows restaurants, bars, and liquor stores in Kansas to sell alcohol for curbside pickup. This includes mixed drinks and cocktails not in their original container. However, delivery still isn't available.
Kentucky
Kentucky's new state legislature, which is set to take effect in July, will allow for alcohol deliveries on all types of alcohol. The state's governor also issued a temporary order allowing alcohol sales, including mixed drinks, with to-go and delivery food orders. The containers have to be sealed, and dry counties are exempt.
Maine
Thanks to an executive order, closed restaurants and bars are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages for takeout, delivery, and drive-through. This includes beer, wine, and as was later clarified, cocktails as well. All beverages must be sold in original or tamper-proof sealed containers.
Maryland
Maryland businesses licensed to make or sell alcohol can currently sell it for takeout or delivery during the pandemic. This includes mixed drinks in some counties (like Montgomery), as long as they are sold with food.
Missouri
Restaurants licensed to sell alcohol in Missouri were already offering drinks to go, but this didn't include mixed drinks. However, restrictions were temporarily lifted allowing businesses to sell all alcoholic beverages, including mixed drinks, along with to-go food orders. Unfortunately, delivery of mixed drinks still isn't available.
Montana
While some businesses in Montana are allowed delivery of alcoholic beverages, this doesn't include mixed drinks. However, some bars, casinos, and restaurants offer to-go cocktails with food orders.
Nebraska
Delivery of beer, wine, and spirits was already allowed in Nebraska, but the governor's executive order temporarily allows restaurants to deliver beer, wine, spirits, and mixed drinks with food orders, as well as for curbside pickup.
Nevada
Curbside pickup and delivery of liquor and cocktails is temporarily allowed in certain areas of the state, like Las Vegas and Clark County.
New York
New Yorkers were already enjoying delivery of beer, wine, and liquor by third-party services. The governor's March order extends the allowance for restaurants and bars, which can now deliver alcohol, including cocktails, with food orders. Some businesses are cleverly offering a free snack with every cocktail order to help with the restriction. Curbside pickups are also permitted.
North Dakota
Delivery of wine and beer was already legal in North Dakota, but some cities, like Grand Forks, have temporarily extended this allowance to delivery and takeout of mixed drinks as well, as long as they're accompanied by food.
Ohio
The governor's emergency order allows businesses with on-premise alcohol licenses to sell up to two alcoholic drinks for takeout or delivery with a single meal, which includes mixed drinks in sealed containers.
Rhode Island
As restaurants in Rhode Island have reopened, the governor has allowed the sale of beer, wine, and mixed drinks with takeout and delivery orders.
Texas
Texas governor has issued a waiver that allows restaurants to deliver alcohol with food orders. Mixed drinks are included.
Vermont
Delivery of beer and wine was already legal in Vermont. The governor extended this allowance to restaurants and bars who can now sell beer, wine, and cocktails with takeout and delivery food orders.
Virgina
The governor has temporarily allowed restaurants, breweries, wineries, and other licensed businesses to sell alcohol on- and off-premise for takeout and delivery. This includes beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
Washington
Delivery of wine, beer, and liquor was already allowed in Washington. This allowance has been temporarily extended to food businesses like bars and restaurants, who can now sell beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails in sealed containers with takeout and delivery food orders.
