Gov. Wolf signals he plans to sign bill allowing taverns, restaurants and hotel bars to sell mixed drinks to go

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf announced he will sign mixed drinks to-go bill

Gov. Tom Wolf said on Tuesday he will sign into law a measure that would allow hard-hit restaurants, taverns and hotel bars to sell take-out sealed containers of mixed drinks until their businesses are back on better financial footing.

Pennsylvania restaurants and bars just might be able to serve up take-out margaritas, piña coladas or any other mixed drink concoction before the Memorial Day holiday weekend arrives.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced on Tuesday during a televised news conference he intends to sign into law a measure that would allow the sale of up to a half gallon of mixed drinks in sealed containers for off-premise consumption by restaurant or hotel liquor licensed establishments that lost more than a quarter of their average monthly sales as a result of his COVID-19 business closure order.

The law will take effect immediately upon enactment.

It will remain in effect throughout the duration of the pandemic disaster and until the restaurant or hotel’s operation exceeds 60% of its capacity.

The legislation, which passed both chambers overwhelmingly, was described by one of its key supporters in the House as extending a lifeline to hard-hit restaurants and bars. Hundreds of the state’s bars and eateries have announced they will not be able to weather the financial storm they face as a result of the state-ordered closure of their businesses in mid-March.

The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association’s executive director Chuck Moran said this will provide a small revenue stream that could help taverns survive.

“With every day that passes, Pennsylvania’s small business taverns and licensed restaurants move closer to financial ruin,” Moran has said. “Business owners have been deprived of their operations and income, and are facing permanent closure, while many employees have lost their jobs.”

The containers of mixed drinks can be sold until 11 p.m. Within 60 days, the restaurant and bar will be required to use a transaction scan device to verify the age of individuals if they appear to be under 35 years of age. The establishments also are mandated to post a warning sign indicating that a take-out container of mixed drinks is considered an open container and may only be transported by the driver in the vehicle’s trunk or in some other area that is not occupied by the driver or passengers.

The Distilled Spirits Council also was pleased by the governor’s decision to sign this bill to assist the hospitality industry.

Its vice president of state government relations David Wojnar said, "This measure will be a valuable economic lifeline that will help Pennsylvania businesses struggling with financial hardships during this pandemic. Unfortunately, the path to recovery will last well beyond the end of this crisis. We continue to work with the legislature to find additional, consumer-friendly solutions to expand access to distilled spirits and help alleviate some of the negative impacts caused by the statewide closures of all spirits stores during COVID-19.”

Another provision included in the bill that passed the House 193-9 and the Senate 48-0, clarifies that a local referenda to allow the sale of liquor in a municipality must appear on a primary or general election ballot and not on a special election ballot.

*This story was updated to include the statement from the Distilled Spirits Council and correct that the bill would allow the sale of up to 64 ounces or a half gallon of mixed beverages.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.

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