Alcohol Delivery: How to Do It Legally and Effectively
As you establish your alcohol delivery service and prepare to sell alcohol for consumption outside of your licensed premises, use our checklist to make sure you’re establishing an alcohol delivery service that is both legal and profitable. How to Start an Alcohol Delivery Service Check state and local guidelines for what off-premises alcohol sales and consumption rules apply to you. Obtain any required licenses, signage, and delivery tools. Establish a delivery method that meets your state's permssions. If home delivery is allowed, setup an internal delivery system. If you live in one of the few states permitting the use of third-party delivery services for orders containing alcohol, establish a qualifying third-party delivery service partnership. Curate a to-go food menu tailored to the beverages offered on your alcohol delivery and pickup drinks' menu. If applicable, purchase the supplies you need to put your cocktail kits together. Purchase signature steins, pints, growlers, and wine glasses for customers to add to their delivery or pickup order as a way to increase your revenue. While stipulations vary widely, there are recurring trends in the rules for legally offering alcohol delivery and pickup services. We analyzed the most common alcohol delivery rules and broke down the top tips for how to start an alcohol delivery service. Alcohol Delivery Service Menu For restaurants to offer alcohol delivery or pickup services, most states require orders containing alcohol to accompany food. This provides restaurants the opportunity to craft a creative pairing menu. Whether you own a brewery or a fine dining establishment with an extensive wine list, developing a pairing menu to accompany an alcohol delivery order saves money in the long run. Full meals are costly to create and don’t travel well. If your pairing menu is thoughtfully designed, it can even pull in new customers. Here are some ideas for creating an alcohol delivery pairing menu. Charcuterie Board Charcuterie boards are aesthetically pleasing, travel well, and are highly sought after by wine lovers. Fill your charcuterie board with: Cured meats Exotic cheeses Pickled vegetables in unique brines Loaded Fries Make the perfect french fries to pair with your craft beer menu. You can use fries as the base for a variety of toppings. Since they have a mild flavor, fries can be dressed to accompany both your most refreshing sour beer and your heartiest stout. Consider offering the following types of loaded fries: Aioli Fries Truffle Fries Dirty Fries Poutine Garlic Fries Jersey Shore Fries Rosemary Fries Chili Cheese Fries Chips and Dips Tortilla chips and dips pair perfectly with your to-go margarita orders. Ideas of dips to match with various margarita flavors include: Guacamole Queso Salsa Black Bean Dip Open Container Law Affects Alcohol Delivery The majority of states permitting to-go alcohol orders stipulate that the alcohol must remain in its original, sealed container. With a little creativity, you can increase your cocktails' profitability by curating aesthetically pleasing home cocktail kits. Here is how you can sell your signature cocktails without opening any bottles. Cocktail Kit Items: Cocktail Recipe Card Alcohol Bottles Simple Syrup Bottles Your Signature Mix Cocktail Garnishes: Dehydrated Lime Wheels Cocktail Olives Edible Flowers Cherries Candied Ginger Grated Cinnamon Sprigs of Lavender and Thyme Fruit Wedges, Twists, and Slices If your state alcohol laws only allow you to sell wine and beer for off-premise consumption, you can boost your beer and wine delivery service by offering guests the opportunity to purchase signature wine glasses, steins, growlers, or pints. While taking advantage of relaxed liquor laws can help your business weather the pandemic, you must exercise caution. Alcohol delivery provisions vary not only by the state, but often by the county, and the rules are ever-evolving. Check your most current local ordinances before offering these services. Alcohol Delivery Rules and Permissions The rising popularity of fast-casual restaurants and delivery orders primed alcohol delivery as one of 2020’s foodservice industry topics of interest. Then, the coronavirus struck, inducing the greatest number of changes in states’ alcohol laws since the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. Years of pushing through legislative boundaries were eliminated. Instead, alcohol delivery and off-premises consumption exploded in a matter of months. As an economic relief measure, forty-five states made provisions for businesses to sell and deliver alcohol to customers beyond their licensed premises. While most of these provisions are intended to be temporary, many states have already adopted relaxed liquor laws permanently, and others are in the process of doing so. 6/2020 Report of Alcohol Permissions by State: The color by each state’s name indicates the level of clearance each provides for alcohol delivery and pickup orders. Green = a high level of alcohol delivery and pickup permissions granted. Yellow = some alcohol delivery and pickup permissions granted. Red = no alterations in existing permissions have been granted. Begin to build a framework of potential alcohol to-go and delivery opportunities with our report of each state’s overarching off-premises rules and permissions as of June 2020. Keep in mind that alcohol delivery provisions vary not just from state to state, but often from county to county, and alcohol takeout and delivery permissions are ever-evolving due to the coronavirus emergency. We strongly advise that you continually check your most current local ordinances while establishing your alcohol delivery service. Alabama What is Permitted: Takeout and Curbside Pickup of Beer, Wine, and Spirits Alabama businesses licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, as well as those already licensed for off-premises consumption, are allowed to sell alcohol in their takeout and curbside pickup orders. The Fine Print: All alcoholic beverages must remain in their original, sealed container. This permission does not accommodate the sale of mixed drinks or any open containers of alcoholic beverages. Stay up to Date on Alabama's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Alabama's ABC website for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Alaska What is Permitted: Curbside Pickup and Delivery of Beer and Wine Alaska licensees are now able to use curbside pickup and delivery to sell beer and wine for off-premises consumption. The Fine Print: Food must accompany beer and wine delivery orders. Deliveries must be made by a licensed restaurant or eating place establishment. Brewery or winery licensees can make home deliveries of beer or wine sold at retail if the beer or wine accompanies a meal prepared by the licensee or the bonafide restaurant on its premises. A "meal" is defined as food purchased at a retail price of at least 50% of the accompanying alcohol’s retail price. The beer or wine must remain in its original, sealed container. Stay up to Date on Alaska's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Alaska's Alcohol & Marijuana Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Arizona What is Permitted: Delivery, Drive-Through, and Pickup Orders of Beer, Wine, and Spirits Arizona licensees are now allowed to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption using delivery, drive-through, and pickup services. The potency of alcohol businesses are legally able to sell varies by their license type. The Fine Print: Series 6 licensed businesses can deliver spirituous liquor in its original, sealed container in quantities that don't exceed 30% of on-sale receipts. Series 7 licensed businesses can deliver beer and wine in its original, sealed container in quantities that don't exceed 30% of the order’s total profits. Series 9 licensed businesses are able to deliver all spirituous liquors in their original sealed containers to Arizona residents. Series 10 licensed businesses are able to deliver beer and wine in their original sealed containers to Arizona residents. Series 18 licensed businesses with an annual production of less than 1,189 gallons of onsite produced spirits are able sell and deliver their spirits in their original sealed containers to Arizona residents. Stay up to Date on Arizona's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Arizona's Department of Liquor for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Arkansas What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer and Wine and Expansions of Licensed Premises Any licensed Arkansas business with an Alcoholic Beverage Control permit is cleared to offer takeout and delivery of beer and wine. The Fine Print: Alcohol deliveries must accompany food. Third-party delivery services cannot make deliveries containing alcohol. Stay up to Date on Arkansas's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Arkansas's Alcoholc Beverage Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. California What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine, and Cocktails All licensed California businesses can sell beer, wine, premixed drinks, or cocktails for pickup and delivery. The Fine Print: The alcoholic beverages must have a secure cap or lid. No openings for straws are permitted. The alcoholic beverages must be sold as accompaniments to a meal. If your restaurant wants to take advantage of this provision, you must post a notice either on your restaurant’s on-site premise or website educating your customers about open container law limitations. Stay up to Date on California's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check California's Alcoholic Beverage Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Colorado What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine, and Liquor Licensed restaurants bars, brewpubs, and distilleries in Colorado are temporarily allowed to deliver or provide takeout orders of alcohol. Licensed restaurants are permitted to offer beer, wine, and liquor for off-premise consumption. However, breweries or distillery pubs are only permitted to offer the products they manufacture on-site. The Fine Print: Alcohol must remain in sealed containers. Alcohol orders must include food. Stay up to Date on Colorado's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Colorado's Liquor Enforcement Laws, Rules, and Regulations for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Connecticut What is Permitted: Takeout and Curbside Pickup of Beer, Wine, and Liquor Licensed businesses in Connecticut can offer the type of alcohol they are currently licensed to sell for on-site consumption in their pickup orders. The Fine Print: The alcohol must remain in its original, sealed container, thus excluding house made cocktails. The order must also contain food prepared on the licensee’s premises. Stay up to Date on Connecticut's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Connecticut's Liquor Control Division for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Delaware What is Permitted:Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine, and Liquor Delware businesses with an on-premise license can offer alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption to customers through takeout or delivery methods. The Fine Print: Alcohol must be sold in a closed container. The revenue gained from the alcohol cannot exceed 40% of the entire order. Stay up to Date on Delaware's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Delaware's Office of ABC for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Florida What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine and Liquor In Florida, licensed restaurants may sell beer, wine, and liquor in delivery and takeout orders. Florida wineries may also deliver alcohol in sealed containers. However, breweries and distilleries cannot make home deliveries. The Fine Print: Alcohol deliveries must be accompanying food. The alcohol must remain in a sealed container. Stay up to Date on Florida's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Florida's Division of Alcohol and Tobacco for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Georgia What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer and Wine Restaurants with an on-premise retail liquor license can offer wine and beer to go for "off-premises consumption" if they are also selling food. The Fine Print: Liquor cannot be sold for off-premises consumption. Beer and wine must accompany a food order. Sales must take place on the licensed premises. Alcohol must remain in sealed containers. Stay up to Date on Georgia's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Georgia's Alcohol & Tobacco Laws & Regulations for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Hawaii What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine, and Spirits As an economic relief measure, Hawaii has made temporary allowances for restaurants to provide alcohol delivery and take-out services in accordance with their license class. The Fine Print: All off-premise activities must be conducted within the Class 4 retail dealers permitted hours of business of 6 AM to 12 AM. Permissions vary by class type. Stay up to Date on Hawaii's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Hawaii's Department of Liquor Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Idaho What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer and Wine Idaho State Police Bureau of Alcohol Beverage Control has expanded license holders' ability to offer takeout and delivery orders of beer and wine. Previously, wine and beer licensed establishments were able to sell bottles and cans of beer for off-premise consumption. With the updated rules, license holders can increase their offerings to include bottles of wine and beer, kegs, and growlers for off-premise consumption. Additionally, liquor can be sold for pickup when it is packaged in a sealed container, but it cannot be delivered. The Fine Print: The sale of alcohol must occur on the licensed premises (deliveries must be prepaid). Sales must be made using a credit/debit card. The person conducting the transaction must be an employee of the license holder and over the age of twenty-one. The deliverer must be over the age of nineteen. The deliverer and the customer must not exchange any money at the point of delivery. This includes tips, surcharges, gratuities, service charges, or any other fees. At the point of delivery, the deliverer is responsible for verifying that the person receiving the alcohol delivery is twenty-one or older and matches the person listed on the credit/debit card. The verification must be completed through an Idaho Code 23-1013 approved method. Liquor must neither be sold for take out or delivered. Restrictions can vary widely, so the license holder is responsible for checking with their specific city and county's licensing authorities for any additional restrictions. Stay up to Date on Idaho's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Idaho's State Liquor Division for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Illinois What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine, and Liquor Illinios’ alcohol delivery permissions vary by license type. As a general rule businesses can use their drive-through and curbside pickup services to sell beer, wine, and liquor for takeout. Deliveries of beer and wine can be made using either an in-house delivery service or a third-party delivery service. Liquor sales, including housemade cocktails, can only be delivered by an in-house delivery service. The Fine Print: Alcoholic drinks must be sold during liquor sale hours. Beer and wine must remain in its original container. The list of rules for delivering pre-mixed cocktails are extensive and can be found here. Stay up to Date on Illinois's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Illinois's Liquor Control Commission for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Indiana What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine, and Liquor In response to the public health crisis and the ensuing financial hardships, the governor of Indiana is allowing businesses with a license to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption to offer carryout orders of alcoholic beverages. Only combined liquor license holders may deliver unopened alcohol to a private home. Restaurants that already have a carryout permit may continue to use it at this time. Additionally, the ATC is required to exclude any alcohol sales made during the public health crisis from the restaurant's gross retail income when determining their eligibility for a carryout permit in the future. The Fine Print: The beer, wine, or spirits must remain in unopened packages. Liquor sales and delivery must occur during approved sales hours. Transactions must occur at the licensed retailers’ location and no cash can be exchanged at the point of delivery. Stay up to Date on Indiana's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Indiana's Alcohol and Tobacco Commission for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Iowa What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine, Spirits, and Mixed Drinks In Iowa, Class "C" liquor license holders are able to sell beer and wine as well as mixed drinks, cocktails, and margaritas made on-site for carry-out curbside pickup, drive-through, or home delivery without procuring any additional licenses. Additionally, those holding a seasonal/temporary alcohol license and permit can request to have their license and permit fees refunded. The Fine Print for Beer and Wine: The beer and wine must remain in its original, sealed container. The Fine Print for Mixed Drinks: Must be sold in a sealed container with a lid or other securing method. The use of clear plastic or glass cups and jars with lids is strongly recommended. The ability to offer takeout and delivery of mixed drinks doesn't alter open container laws, and the drinks should be transported in the trunk of the motor vehicle. Stay up to Date on Iowa's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Iowa's Alcoholic Beverages Division for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Kansas What is Permitted: Takeout of Beer, Wine, and Liquor A liquor license holder can make "curbside sales" as long as they uphold all existing provisions of the Kansas Liquor Control and the Kansas Club and Drinking Establishment Act. Additionally, if a license holder purchased alcohol for an event that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they can return the alcohol without violating the federal laws regarding consignment sales or getting the Director's approval. The Fine Print: Licensees are only permitted to offer the beverages they are currently licensed to sell on their premises for carry out. Alcohol sales and physical delivery can only occur within a 50 foot radius of the licensed premises. License holders must establish designated "to-go" pickup areas within 50 feet of their licensed premises' entrances. The provision applies to these license types: retail liquor stores, drinking establishments, class A club, class B club, farm winery, microbrewery, micro distillery and producer. Stay up to Date on Kansas's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Kansas's Alcoholic Beverages Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Kentucky What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine, and Liquor Kentucky’s governor, Andy Beshear, announced that restaurants and bars are allowed to offer alcohol in takeout and delivery orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. An on-premise license holder can sell the beverages they hold a license to sell on their premises for off-premises consumption. The Fine Print: Deliveries of alcohol must accompany a meal and be equivalent to what would normally be consumed at a restaurant when eating a meal; bulk alcohol delivery orders are not allowed. Deliveries can be made by the license holder, a license holder's employee, or an independent contractor so long as the driver is at least twenty years old. The alcoholic beverages must remain in their sealed, original containers. Stay up to Date on Kentucky's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Kentucky's Alcoholic Beverages Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Louisiana What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer and Wine In response to the coronavirus, Louisiana's Alcohol and Tobacco Control agency (ATC) is allowing Class A permit holders to sell prepackaged beer and/or wine for drive-through or curbside pick-up. Additionally, any restaurant is now eligible to apply for a permit to begin offering in-house deliveries of beer or wine. The Fine Print: The ATC is not requiring additional permits for curbside delivery/pick-up orders of beer and wine. Those who wish to offer home delivery services of orders containing beer/wine must submit an application to the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. The order applies to all Class A-General (AG) permit holders. The alcoholic beverages must remain in their sealed, original containers. Exceptions include existing drive-through daiquiri shops and restaurants with a conditional use permit. Stay up to Date on Louisiana's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Louisiana's Alcohol & Tobacco Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Maine What is Permitted: Specialty Beer and Wine Stores May Offer Curbside Pickup and Delivery Services The state of Maine has declared specialty beer and wine stores an essential business and is allowing them to both remain open and serve customers through social distancing practices including curbside pickup and delivery services. Stay up to Date on Maine's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Maine's Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Maryland What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine, and Liquor Maryland’s governor, Larry Hogan, issued an executive order allowing the delivery of alcohol to off-premise locations and alcohol sales for takeout orders. The beneficiaries of this executive order are more extensive than other states, and include bars, restaurants, breweries, wineries, distilleries, and "other establishments with appropriate license". Limitations on liquor sales are also less restrictive than other states. The Fine Print: The alcoholic beverages must remain in their sealed, original containers. A licensee can only offer takeout and delivery of the type of alcohol they are licensed to sell for on-premises consumption. Stay up to Date on Maryland's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check The Comptroller of Maryland for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Massachusetts What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer and Wine Licensed Massachusetts restaurants can provide beer and wine for both takeout and delivery as a part of a municipal relief bill signed by Governor Charlie Baker on April 3rd. The Fine Print: Alcohol sales must be made alongside food sales. The law permits wine and malt beverages (beer) but does not include hard liquor. Each customer cannot order more than 192 oz. of beer and 1.5 L of wine. Alcohol sales must end at midnight. Stay up to Date on Massachusetts's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Massachusetts's Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Michigan What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine, Spirits, and Cocktails Initially, restaurants were allowed to offer takeout orders and deliveries of beer and wine to customers' homes. On June 24th, Michigan Legislature approved HB 5811, allowing restaurants and bars in the state to sell cocktails to-go and for delivery in sealed containers with distinct logos showing they were made by a licensed establishment. The Fine Print: The state is in the process of establishing designated "social districts". A social district will be an outdoor area where people can go to drink alcoholic beverages at safe distances not often afforded in a restaurant setting. Whether the to-go beverages (particularly cocktails) can be consumed in a designated social district or at home varies by county. Stay up to Date on Michigan's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Michigan's Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Minnesota What is Permitted: Remains Unchanged Minnesota has not provided the restaurant industry relief in the form of relaxed to-go alcohol sales and delivery service regulations. Establishments with an off-sale license to sell alcohol are permitted to continue selling alcohol off-premises. Stay up to Date on Minnesota's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Minnesota's Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement website for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Mississippi What is Permitted: To-Go Wine and Cocktails In response to the coronavirus, Mississippi is allowing restaurants to sell single, sealed bottles of wine to-go when it accompanies a to-go food order. Additionally, restaurants with the appropriate license in a Leisure and Recreation District (LRD) are permitted to sell mixed drinks in to-go food orders for curbside pick-up. Cities Located in LRDs: Bay St. Louis Tupelo Ridgeland Jackson Gulfport Biloxi Ocean Springs Brandon Clinton Diamondhead D'Iberville Hattiesburg Laurel Long Beach Moss Point Natchez Pascagoula Pass Christian Vicksburg Stay up to Date on Mississippi's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Mississippi's Alcoholic Beverage Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Missouri What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine, Spirits The Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is temporarily allowing licensed bars and restaurants to include packaged alcoholic beverages in customers curbside and drive through pick-up food orders. There is discussion of making this temporary permission permanent. The Fine Print: The customer must be ordering food to accompany the alcoholic beverage. A dated receipt for the alcoholic beverage must be given to the customer. The alcohol must remain in a sealed container classified as a one-time-use, tamperproof, transparent bag, or a container whose opening is sealed with tamper-evident tape. Stay up to Date on Missouri's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Missouri's Alcohol & Tobacco Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Montana What is Permitted: Montana is Making No Provisions. Montanta has not taken any economic relief measures in the form of relaxed alcohol delivery and to-go rules. Stay up to Date on Montana's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Montana's Department of Revenue for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Nebraska What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine, Spirits, and Mixed Drinks Licensed restaurants in Nebraska are able to include beer, wine, and spirits in their takeout and delivery food orders as a part of governor Pete Ricketts executive order to provide relief to restaurants and bars during the COVID-19 emergency. Additionally, the temporary sale of mixed drinks in take-out orders is permitted as an economic relief measure. The Fine Print: Class A license holders are able to sell beer in takeout and delivery orders. Class 1 license holders can sell beer, wine, and spirits to accompany food take out and delivery orders. As an additional relief measure, restaurants and bars are now given 90 rather than 30 days to pay for wine and spirit deliveries for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, beer deliveries must still be paid upon delivery. Stay up to Date on Nebraska's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Nevada What is Permitted: Varies Widely Nevada's alcohol delivery and curbside pickup permissions varies by the county and even the city. For example, Clark and Henderson counties are allowing restaurants providing curbside pickup orders to sell alcohol with meals. Unsurprisingly, the city of Las Vegas has been the most responsive Nevada city, allowing its restaurants to not only offer curbside pickup orders containing alcohol but make deliveries as well. Las Vegas is issuing a 30-day Time-Limited Alcohol Delivery permit allowing businesses with current alcohol and food licenses to offer alcohol with food deliveries. The permit can be renewed in accordance with the ever-evolving restrictions placed on businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. The Las Vegas Fine Print: The city is waiving the daily fee and only charging a $100 processing fee for each 30 day Time-Limited Alcohol Delivery permit. The permit is only applicable to commercial locations. Businesses are limited to delivering the type of alcohol they hold a license for. Alcohol delivery items must remain in their manufacturer's sealed containers. The person delivering an order containing alcoholic beverages is responsible for confirming that the person who receives the delivery is twenty one years old. An employee making alcohol deliveries must have a current alcohol awareness card and a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police work card. If the person making the delivery is the owner or a key employee who is already registered with the city, they do not need a work card. However, they are still required to have an unexpired alcohol awareness card. Delivery and curbside permits must be applied for separately. Stay up to Date on Nevada's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Nevada's Alcoholic Beverage Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. New Hampshire What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer and Wine Just two days after bars and restaurants were mandated to close their dining areas, licensed restaurants received the ability to sell beer and wine with takeout and delivery food orders. The Fine Print: The emergency order benefits restaurants that already have a license for on-premise alcohol consumption. Deliveries of alcohol must also include food. The permit is only applicable to commercial locations. The beer and wine must remain in its original container. Spirits and cocktails are not cleared for off-premises consumption. Stay up to Date on New Hampshire's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check New Hampshire's Liquor Commission for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. New Jersey What is Permitted: Expanded Licensed Premises, Cocktails To-Go, and Alcohol Delivery and Takeout Services Appropriately licensed restaurants and bars are permitted to include alcohol in their takeout and delivery services. Licensees holding a retail consumption permit can apply for an expansion of their on-premises permit, allowing them to expand their licensed area to their nearby property. Liquor license and permit terms have been extended until Sept. 20th, 2020 to relieve economic hardships. The Fine Print: Alcohol takeout and delivery services must be conducted during regular business hours. To-go cocktails must be sold in containers of no greater than 16 oz. with tamper-evident seals. No one one is eligible to transport alcoholic beverages on behalf of a licensee unless they have an ABC Transit Insignia or a valid ABC transportation permit. Stay up to Date on New Jersey's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check New Jersey's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. New Mexico No Permissions Granted New Mexico has not taken any economic relief measures in the form of relaxed alcohol delivery and to-go rules. Stay up to Date on New Mexico's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check New Mexico's Alcoholic Beverage Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. New York What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery of Beer, Wine, and Spirits Any establishment holding an on-premises liquor license is permitted to sell the same alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption as their on-premise license permits them to sell. To-go orders containing alcohol can either be picked up for carryout or delivered. The Fine Print: The alcohol must be sold in its sealed, original container. There are no size restrictions. The sale of alcohol for off-premises consumption must accompany a food order. Alcohol delivery orders can be made through either a permitted third-party delivery service or a vehicle that is owned and operated by the licensee and/or their employee. A copy of the permit/license must be kept in the vehicle making the delivery. Stay up to Date on New York's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check New York's State Liquor Authority for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. North Carolina What is Permitted: An Extension of Licensed Premises and Wine and Beer for Takeout and Delivery Appropriately licensed retailers in North Carolina are permitted to temporarily include additional outdoor seating areas in their licensed premises to accommodate for social distancing. Extended Licensed Area Fine Print: Applications for a temporary extension do not need to be submitted to the ABC Commision. If the extension isn’t covered by a deed or lease, the license holder needs to get written permission from their properties’ owner. License holders must also get the approval of their local government entity and notify their ALE agent, District ALE office, or local law enforcement prior to extending their permitted area. To not violate open carry laws, alcoholic beverages must remain within the visibly marked off, extended area. One of the exterior walls of the licensed premises must be part of the extended area. Those who hold a license allowing them to sell beer and wine on their premises may sell beer and wine for carry-out, drive-through orders, and delivery. Beer and Wine To-Go and Delivery Fine Print: Beer and wine must remain in the manufacturer’s original container. Beer and wine can be delivered to a vehicle parked in either a parking space or the curb adjacent to the licensed premises without requiring extended licensed area measures. Stay up to Date on North Carolina's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check North Carolina's ABC Commission for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. North Dakota What is Permitted Varies Greatly City-to-City Some North Dakota cities, such as Fargo, are permitting curbside pickup, to-go, and alcohol delivery, but the majority are not. If you are a North Dakota license holder, your safest course of action is to check with your local legislation. Stay up to Date on North Dakota's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check North Dakota's Alcoholic Beverage License Page for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Ohio What is Permitted: Curbside Pickup, Drive Through, and Delivery of Beers Wines and Spirits As an economic relief measure, Ohio is permitting licensed restaurants to sell beer, wine, and spirits for off-premises consumption through a variety of methods. The Fine Print: The delivery order must be made by the permit holder or their employee. The alcohol must accompany a meal. There is a two drink per meal limit. Alcoholic beverages must remain in their original, sealed containers. There is a 2 oz. of spirituous liquor limit per container. Businesses offering this service must have a Department of Health food service license issued at their local level. Stay up to Date on Ohio's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Ohio's Department of Commerce for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Oklahoma Permanent Adoption of Alcohol Delivery and Curbside Pickup Permissions On May 21st, Senate Bill 1928 made the initially temporary relaxation of the ABLE Commission’s rules permanent. Now, properly licensed restaurants and bars will continue to offer alcohol for delivery and curbside pickup. Additionally, retail spirit license holders will be able to continue offering curbside pickup and delivery of alcoholic beverages. The Fine Print: Deliveries must be made by the licensee holder and their employees; no third-party delivery services allowed. Grocery/convenience stores and restaurants are permitted to offer curbside and delivery of wine and beer but not spirits. Liquor stores can offer curbside and delivery of wine, beer, and spirits. Stay up to Date on Oklahoma's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Oklahoma's ABLE Commission for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Oregon What is Permitted: Extended Hours of Same Day Delivery While home deliveries were already allowed in Oregon, the hours for same-day alcohol deliveries have been extended to 2:30 AM. Additionally, to ease economic hardships, qualified licensees can apply for a “90-day Authority To Operate” with an Off-Premises Sales license. Those holding an off-premises license/a license with off-premises sales privileges with same-day delivery approval are permitted to offer malt beverages, wine, and cider for curbside pickup orders and deliveries. The Fine Print: Businesses are required to use an e-commerce operator. Stay up to Date on Oregon's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Oregon's Liquor Control Commission for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Pennsylvania What is Permitted: The Sale of To-GoPrepared Mixed Drinks While bars and restaurants with the proper permit could already sell beer and wine for takeout, the state of Pennsylvania has expanded its to-go alcoholic beverage provisions amidst the COVID-19 emergency. Bars, restaurants, and hotels with a liquor license may temporarily sell mixed drinks to-go. The Fine Print: The provision applies to bars, restaurants, and hotels that have lost 25% of their average monthly sales due to the coronavirus emergency. The provision is set to expire once the emergency has ended and the business has reached 60% capacity. Prepared beverages and mixed drinks must be between 4 and 64 oz. and include liquor and at least one mixer combined on the licensed premises. To-go drinks must be sold in sealed containers with secure caps or lids which prevent consumption unless they are removed. Licensees must begin verifying the age of anyone appearing under the age of 35 using a transaction scan device. The mixed drinks can be sold to-go between the hours of 7 AM and 11 PM Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays from 9 AM to 11 PM if the licensee possesses a Sunday sales permit. Drinks sold to-go must not be consumed on the licensed premises. A meal doesn't have to accompany the to-go drinks nor is there a limit on the number of drinks a customer can purchase to-go. Stay up to Date on Pennsylvania's Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Pennsylvania's Liquor Control Board for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Rhode Island What is Permitted: Takeout of Beer, Wine, and Spirits In response to COVID-19, Rhode Island restaurants holding a class B license are permitted to sell alcoholic beverages with take-out food orders. Delivery is not permitted. The Fine Print: Alcohol orders must accompany food. Restaurants are limited to two bottles of wine and 144 oz. of beer per order when they remain in their original, factory sealed containers. Restaurants can repackage alcoholic beverages into containers that are sealed in a way that prevents reopening/is tamper-evident. When doing so, the amounts are limited to 144 oz. of draft beer, and 72 oz. of mixed beverages containing no more than 9 oz. of distilled spirits. Stay up to Date on Rhode Island’s Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check the State of Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. South Carolina What is Permitted: Takeout Beer and Wine A South Carolina business with an on-premise liquor license can deliver beer or wine to a customer’s vehicle at a designed pickup station for off-premise consumption. The Fine Print: The customer must be verified as sober and of drinking age. The beer or wine must remain in its original, sealed container. Holders of retail beer and wine permits who are delivering food items to a customers’ home cannot bring beer or wine to accompany their food items to the customer’s home. Alcoholic liquors are prohibited for both curbside delivery and pickup. Stay up to Date on South Carolina’s Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check the South Carolina's Department of Revenue for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. South Dakota No Special Permissions Have Been Made Businesses in possession of an off-sale delivery license are permitted to use theirs, but no laws have been adjusted to help with the economic hardships imposed by the coronavirus. Stay up to Date on South Dakota’s Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check the South Dakota's Department of Revenue for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Tennessee What is Permitted: Wine, Beer, and Spirits for Carryout and Delivery Restaurants that are licensed as full-service and wine-only are permitted to offer alcohol appropriate to their license type in delivery orders and for carryout. The Fine Print: Alcohol deliveries must be made during the typical business hours designated by law for your business’ type. Wine and beer can be sold by the bottle but not spirits. Individual servings of spirits, wine, and beer can be sold. Repackaged alcoholic beverages must be delivered in containers that would require them to be unpackaged to be consumed. Alcohol carryout and delivery orders cannot be sold as stand-alone items; they must be accompanied by food. Stay up to Date on Tenneessee’s Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Tennessee’s Alcoholic Beverage Commission for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Texas What is Permitted: Most Licensed Businesses Are Able to Provide Takeout and Delivery in Accordance with Their Permit Type When it comes to alcohol delivery, Texas is a progressive state which already offers a series of permit options allowing businesses to provide alcohol for off-premise consumption. Check with your local licensing requirements and obtain the appropriate license for your business type. All establishments receiving over 51% of their gross receipts from alcohol sales were forced to close their doors to customers. However, on June 26th, they were allowed to begin offering delivery and takeout services, including alcoholic beverages. The Fine Print: The rules vary widely by permit type. Check the TABC’s coronavirus updates to see which rules apply to you. Stay up to Date on Texas’s Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Texas’s Alcoholic Beverage Commission for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Utah Utah is Making No Exceptions to their Existing Alcohol Rules The state of Utah has taken no steps to mitigate the hardships COVID-19 has inflicted on the hospitality industry in the form of relaxed liquor laws. Stay up to Date on Utah’s Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Utah’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Vermont What is Permitted: Delivery and Curbside Pickup Orders of Beer, Wine, and Spirits In Vermont, 1st, 2nd, and 4th class liquor license holders can offer takeout orders and deliveries of any alcohol product they are licensed to sell on their premises without a delivery permit. The Fine Print: The deliverer must be eighteen years old and Board certified to sell alcohol. Deliveries must be made to a physical building/residence. An inspectable log of deliveries must be kept. The alcoholic beverage does not need to remain in its original container. Stay up to Date on Vermont’s Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check Vermont’s Department of Liquor Control for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Virginia What is Permitted: Curbside and Delivery Orders of Wine and Beer Under new adjustments, the state of Virginia is allowing businesses with strictly on-premises alcohol sales permits to sell wine or beer in sealed containers for pickup at a designated area or make deliveries to customers' homes. Those with off premises-privileges such as breweries and wineries are also able to offer curbside and delivery services. The Fine Print: Alcoholic beverages must remain in sealed containers. Third-party delivery services must have a written contract with the vendor specifying terms before they make alcohol deliveries. Stay up to Date on Virginia’s Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check with Virginia's Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Washington What is Permitted: Curbside and Delivery Orders of Wine, Beer, and Spirits In Washington, licensees holding a Spirit, Beer, and Wine or Restaurant, Beer, and Wine license are allowed to make curbside pickups and/or deliveries of alcohol according to their license type. The Fine Print: For curbside orders, alcohol must remain in its factory sealed bottle, and the business can only serve the type of alcohol permitted in their annual license. For delivery orders, the delivery of bottled spirits must be accompanied by food. Deliveries of beer don’t have to remain in their original container if the beer was ordered in an amount of less than 4 gallons. Orders of beer exceeding 4 gallons, bottles of wine, and spirits must all be delivered in their factory sealed bottles. Stay up to Date on Washington’s Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. West Virginia What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery Orders of Beer and Wine West Virginia restaurants and bars licensed to provide beer and wine on their premises can offer takeout and delivery orders of beer and wine for off-premise consumption. The Fine Print: Delivery orders of beer and wine must be a part of a take-away food order. The beer and wine must remain in its sealed, original container. Third-party delivery services cannot be used to make deliveries containing alcohol. Liquor bottles or mixed alcoholic beverages are not included in these permissions. Distilleries are not permitted to make home deliveries at this time. Stay up to Date on West Virginia’s Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check with the West Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Administration for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Wisconsin What is Permitted: Varies Greatly by Municipal Ordinance While what is permitted in Wisconsin varies by municipal ordinance, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue issued Emergency Order #8, allowing certain liquor license holders the ability to provide carry-out orders of alcoholic beverages in their original, sealed containers. The Fine Print: Varies greatly, check with your individual municipal ordinance. Stay up to Date on Wisconsin’s Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. Wyoming What is Permitted: Takeout and Delivery Orders of Beer and Wine Businesses with a Restaurant or Bar & Grill liquor license are temporarily granted the ability to sell a limited amount of beer and wine for off-premises consumption through take-out and curbside pickup from the licensed businesses’ location. The Fine Print: Alcohol delivery and takeout sales must accompany food sales. Alcohol quantities are limited to 1500 mL of wine and no more than 72 oz. of beer. Alcohol must remain in its original, sealed container. Alcohol sales cannot be discounted. Stay up to Date on Wyoming’s Alcohol Delivery and Takeaway Permissions Check with Wyoming's Department of Revenue for the lastest alcohol delivery and takeaway permission news and your local guidelines. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Please refer to our Content Policy for more details.
