PA Law Making To-Go Alcoholic Drinks Permanent Advances

HARRISBURG, PA — What was established as a temporary drink-to-go experience during the pandemic soon could become permanent. The state House has voted to enable bars and restaurants to continue to sell mixed drinks in to-go cups.

The drinks were temporarily legalized last year as a means to assist struggling restaurants.

The bill now goes to the state Senate.

If approved, Gov. Tom Wolf would have to sign it for the measure to become law.

"My legislation is needed to make this change permanent," state Rep. Kurt Masser, who represents portions of Columbia, Montour and Northumberland counties, said in a memo to House colleagues.

"Making this initiative permanent will provide our bars and restaurants with a needed option to
continue to make up funds that they lost during this crisis," Masser said.

Wolf signed the cocktails to-go law last May, during the height of the coronavirus shutdowns.

The law applies to establishments with liquor licenses that sell to-go meals. Drinks must be sold in containers with a secure lid in quantities from 4 to 64 ounces.

Containers must be designed to prevent drinking without removing the lid or cap.

Lids with sipping or straw holes must have those holes covered. There is no limit to the number of drinks-to-go a person may purchase. The purchase of a meal is not required to buy a to-go drink.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board stressed at the time of the law's initial passage that
it's illegal to have an open container of alcohol in a vehicle and open containers may only be transported in a vehicle's trunk or another area not occupied by passengers.