Bill to allow cocktails to-go passes Pennsylvania Senate
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A bill that would allow some Pennsylvania businesses to sell mixed spirit drinks to-go has passed the State Senate on Wednesday.
The proposed bill would allow taverns and licensed restaurants (R and H liquor licenses) to sell to-go drinks with some limitations.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Pennsylvania Senate voted 48-0 in favor of HB 327.
"Today, the Pennsylvania Senate joined the House of Representatives in almost unanimously throwing a lifeline to help keep taverns and restaurants from sinking faster. HB 327 would allow taverns and licensed restaurants to sell mixed spirit drinks to go with a few limitations for quantity, container, and time of day. This gives establishments one more small revenue stream to help them survive," said Chuck Moran, executive director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association.
"We're really excited about it. We were actually planning for it," said Cody Ferdinand, owner of the Butcher and Barkeep in Harleysville. "Just really hoping that the bill would pass, checking the news every morning. So to hear this news today was really fantastic." said Ferdinand.
The bill now heads to Governor Tom Wolf's desk for a signature. The law would go into effect immediately after it's signed.
State Rep. Perry Warren, who sponsored the bill, says the passage is great news for Pennsylvania restaurants suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The passage of this bill is great news for Pennsylvania's restaurant industry during the COVID-19 pandemic," Warren said. "It enables our local restaurants selling food, beer and wine to add another product for curbside pickup and takeout during this crisis. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in both the House and the Senate for supporting this legislation."
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