To-go alcohol sales with the purchase of food was one of the first ways restaurants and bars in California were able to stay afloat in the early days of the pandemic - now they will remain legal through at least 2026 as Gov. Gavin Newsom signed State Bill 389 into law on Friday in Oakland.
Sen. Bill Dodd, a Democrat from Napa, authored the bill, which limits customers to two drinks per meal, with size restrictions, and delivery purchases are excluded.
"Restaurants have been hit hard by the pandemic and the ability to sell carry-out cocktails has been critical to ensuring they can survive," Dodd said Thursday in a statement. "Making this permanent will ensure their recovery, protecting jobs and our economy. I thank my fellow legislators for supporting this important proposal."
Newsom also signed State Bill 314 and Assembly Bill 61, which ease restrictions on outdoor dining and make it easier for pop-ups to get liquor licenses, respectively.







