LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) –During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan Legislature passed legislation to allow restaurants, hotels and bars to sell alcoholic cocktails with take-out orders. The law was passed in June of 2020 and signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in July of the same year. This law is often referred to as “Cocktails-to-Go.” The legislation expires on January 1, 2026.

However, Michigan lawmakers are looking to make the Cocktails-to-Go law permanent like others have in 18 other states and Washington D.C. After the proposal passed the Michigan Senate last week on March 22nd, with 107 yeas and 37 nays, it moved into the House for consideration and will be taken up by the Committee on Regulatory Reform when they return from their spring break in a few weeks.

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The 2020 law was passed to help restaurants stay in business during the pandemic and the stay-at-home orders. Not everyone wants the law to stick around though. Victor Preston, owner of Preston’s Bar in Grand Ledge, told WILX that they have never served any drinks-to-go despite the law allowing it. He said, “We’d kind of like them (customers) to stick around and have a couple.”

John McNamara, Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association’s (MRLA) Vice President, Government Affairs, says Cocktails-to-Go has become very popular in Michigan. He said, “This is just sort of another tool in the toolbox for restaurants to continue to use. Obviously popular during COVID but has proven very popular in a post-COVID world.”

The MRLA, along with other associations, worked for months to help with financial relief for bars, restaurants and hotels during the pandemic and worked with the legislature to write the original bill in 2020.

He went on to say, “Some people still aren’t quite safe dining out. They’re still unsure about it. So this allows them to still go get their favorite food, add some cocktails on to go, take those home.”