Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Friday signed a law allowing restaurants and bars in New Jersey to continue selling to-go and delivery alcoholic beverage orders.
The COVID-era rule, which was set to expire on Sept. 1, allows establishments to sell mixed cocktails and other liquor-based drinks in sealed containers for off-premises consumption. The new law allows restaurants and bars to permanently sell the to-go and delivery drinks.
It also allows holders of craft distillery licenses to sell and deliver products for off-premises consumption under certain conditions.
“New Jersey’s small businesses shouldn’t have to navigate outdated rules just to serve their customers and grow,” Sherrill said Friday at a press conference in Freehold. “Cocktails to-go worked, customers liked it and small businesses told us it was another way to bring in revenue. Today, we’re making it permanent.”
A National Restaurant Association survey found that in states where to-go alcohol is permitted, more than 70% of alcohol drinkers were more likely to choose a restaurant for delivery based on its offering of the to-go drinks. The governor’s office said this illustrates economic potential for small businesses in New Jersey.
State Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, a sponsor of the bill, said it will help the hospitality industry without risking safety.
“Cocktails to-go helped restaurants and bars keep business moving during the pandemic, and they have continued to be a convenient option for customers,” Gopal said at Friday’s event. “Making this permanent gives our hospitality businesses another way to serve their customers and generate revenue while keeping commonsense safeguards in place for the sale and delivery of alcohol.”
Restaurant owner Matthew Borowski also spoke about the legislation’s positive impact at the press conference.
“For family-owned small businesses like mine, every opportunity to better serve our guests and generate additional revenue matters,” Borowski said. “Giving our guests the opportunity to bring a piece of our brand home with them is priceless.”
Borowski is the owner of Death of Hospitality, a hospitality group that owns five restaurants in Middlesex and Monmouth counties.
Under the law, businesses can sell alcoholic drinks made by a bartender in tamper-proof sealed containers as well as any alcoholic drink in its original, closed container.
The measure (S4384) overwhelmingly passed the state Legislature earlier this year.
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