Cocktails To-Go Allowed for Another Year in Massachusetts

A temporary, pandemic-era law allowing restaurants and bars to sell takeout cocktails has been extended for another year. This week, Gov. Maura Healey signed legislation into effect that will allow Massachusetts businesses to sell cocktails to-go until March 30, 2024.

The law was first enacted in 2020 to allow restaurants and bars another line of revenue when dine-in service was restricted. While there are no more dining restrictions in place, some businesses like acclaimed Brookline spot Blossom Bar have kept selling to-go cocktails as the legislation has allowed.

“As an organization, we are thrilled that we have one more year to strengthen this program and educate consumers on how they can safely enjoy supporting their local bartender,” a representative for Massachusetts Restaurants United, an advocacy group for local independent restaurants, said in a statement. “Also, [we’re] thankful that the legislation saw the need to continue to support restaurants as we rebuild from the devastation of Covid-19.”

Now that cocktails to-go have been saved, perhaps Healey can turn to another liquor-related piece of legislation that restaurants and bars have long been clamoring for: bringing happy hour back.