Here's How You Can Order Alcohol For Delivery
In the wild west territory that is COVID-19, news and circumstances are constantly changing — especially within the food and restaurant industry. While it is still safest to limit in-person interactions by ordering food to-go or via delivery, many restaurants are adapting to accommodate these safety precautions (via The Atlantic). Next to enter that delivery category is — you guessed it — bars and gastropubs.
Now within the United States, if there's one state that knows how to hunker down and weather a storm as a community, it has to be Louisiana. Naturally, long before the age of COVID-19, these citizens perfected the art of alcohol delivery with their drive-thru daiquiri stores that are dotted all around New Orleans (via The Kitchn).
In response to social distancing and self-quarantine as a safety precaution to protect many, alcohol-serving restaurants and bars are finding new ways to deliver alcohol within the confines of some restrictions and admittance of the liquor license they each hold. Though New York is the primary state doing this at the moment, keep your eyes peeled for opportunities like this that could follow closer to your own home and check in with your favorite haunts (via Delish).
Restrictions on alcohol for delivery
Before you jump for joy and call your favorite bartender, keep in mind that not all establishments in all cities can do this. Currently, the State Liquor Authority of New York has initiated this attempt to help ease the burden while aiding and keeping employees and staff safe. Those that are allowed to sell alcohol to customers must have the proper liquor license that includes the ability to sell alcohol for off-site consumption.
Additionally, the businesses are also only allowed to sell the types of alcohol that they are already permitted to sell in this capacity. That means the business can only sell beer and wine if they are not licensed to sell cocktails or hard liquor. All beverages must be transported in closed containers that comply with New York's open container laws too. Next, whoever does the delivering itself, be it a member of the restaurant or bar's staff or a hired, third-party delivery company, the person delivering must have a copy of the business's liquor license for verification. Finally, all purchases of alcohol must naturally be accompanied by an order of food too. So don't forget the bar bites if you're trying to order from your favorite neighborhood bar.
Keep an eye out for establishments in your area to start offering similar services, which will probably have their own set of rules to abide by.