Ducey signs bill allowing to-go cocktails at Arizona bars, restaurants

PHOENIX — Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill Friday allowing Arizona bars, liquor stores and restaurants to sell cocktails to-go.

House Bill 2773, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Weninger, will go into effect Oct. 1 and has several provisions based on establishment.

“Businesses owners have shown that offering to-go beverages can be done responsibly and safely,” Ducey said in a press release.

“House Bill 2773 will make sure restaurants and bars have the opportunity to expand operations and meet the needs of their customers, especially after weathering the effects of the pandemic.”

Bars and liquor stores will be able to start selling cocktails Oct. 1, but restaurants will have a different process through Dec. 31, 2025.

Restaurants will have to lease the ability to serve to-go cocktails from another bar in the same county.

Then starting in 2026, restaurants will have to apply for a lease permit from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control to sell to-go alcohol.

Customers must purchase food in order to buy a to-go cocktail.

The legislation comes after Ducey issued an executive order in March 2020 allowing the delivery of alcoholic beverages with food purchases to help out restaurants struggling through the pandemic.

“Restaurants, bars and liquor stores throughout the state will have the opportunity to drastically expand their operations thanks to the signing of House Bill 2773,” Steve Chucri, president and CEO of the Arizona Restaurant Association, said in the release.

“To-go cocktails will help businesses bring in revenue and attract new customers, and it will draw new restaurants and bars to our state.”

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