A Win for CT Restaurants & Bars

Recently, the Connecticut Legislature passed and Governor Lamont signed into law, House Bill 6548, making "alcohol to go" a permanent offering for Connecticut's on-premises locations.

Under the law, alcoholic beverages may leave bars and restaurants as long as they are part of a food order. Further, any alcoholic liquor sold for off-premises consumption must be accompanied by food orders prepared on the restaurant's or bar's premises.

Such alcoholic liquor is to be given to a consumer in a securely sealed container that prevents consumption without the removal of a tamper-evident lid, cap, or seal. To clarify, a securely sealed container cannot include a lid with sipping holes or openings for straws. Containers must then be placed in a bag prior to removal from the permit premises.

The "alcohol to go" legislation was supported by the Department of Consumer Protection, the Connecticut Restaurant Association, the Distilled Spirits Council, and others during this past legislative session. The prior version of this legislation was set to expire on June 5, 2024.

You may recall that during the pandemic, Governor Lamont issued an executive order allowing "drinks to go," a measure that was well-received by the restaurant and hospitality industry.

If you would like to leam more about this topic, or any liquor-related matter, please feel free to contact The JJS Consulting Group at 203-246-1971.