Alcohol is now available to go for good after being introduced as a temporary allowance to COVID-19 more than a year ago.
In March 2020, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a waiver allowing restaurants to sell unopened alcohol with takeout food purchases to support the food and drink industry during the pandemic. But after the waiver was extended indefinitely, Texas Rep. Charlie Geren authored House Bill 1024 to allow to-go alcohol sales for good. The bill was approved by more than two-thirds of the Texas House and Senate, and the governor signed the bill into law on Wednesday, May 12.
“Today is a great day for Texas restaurants, as well as for their customers,” Abbott says at the bill’s signing. “Alcohol to go is now law in the state of Texas.”
The bill allows for beer, wine and mixed drink sales with food delivery and pickup orders. All drink orders must be sealed or come in a preparation kit customers can mix at home.
You can read more about House Bill 1024 on the Texas Legislature’s website.