RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Virginia Senate and House of Delegates have both passed bills which would make to-go cocktails permanently legal in the Commonwealth.
On Wednesday, Jan. 31, the House voted to pass HB 688 81-18 and the Senate voted to pass SB 635 40-0. Both bills would allow restaurants, distillers and farm wineries that are licensed by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) to sell mixed alcoholic beverages for “off-premises consumption”
The pandemic-era provisions that allow Virginia restaurants, distillers and wineries to sell to-go cocktails to customers is currently set to expire on July 1.
“Local bars, restaurants and distilleries continue to face headwinds with inflation, supply chain disruptions and staffing shortages,” said Andy Deloney of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. “Cocktails to-go offer a stable and important source of revenue for Virginia businesses while providing increased convenience for consumers. Making cocktails to-go permanent provides long-term stability for those in the hospitality sector and continues a convenience many adult consumers have come to enjoy over the last four years. We applaud the Virginia House and Senate for moving these measures forward.”