Alcohol to go will keep on going. While Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday that Texas restaurants could reopen dining rooms May 1 at 25% occupancy, many are choosing to remain as takeout and delivery only for safety reasons. Under the governor’s order, restaurants can still offer food to go, as well as alcohol.
This still does not apply to Texas bars though, which are defined as making 51% or more of their revenue from alcohol sales. Bars are to remain closed during this first phase of the governor’s plan to “reopen the state," but "might be included in the next phase of reopening in mid-May,” according to the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission website.
Chris Porter, public information officer for the TABC, said the same alcohol-to-go guidelines that were in place before Abbott’s executive order on Monday will continue May 1 and beyond. “And as far as we know, there is no end date in place.”
There has been some confusion as to what alcohol can be made to go, and which establishments can serve it. Only restaurants can serve alcohol to go. The alcohol must also be accompanied by a food purchase and must come in manufacturer-sealed containers no larger than 375 milliliters. That also means no mixed drinks. You cannot get a gallon of margaritas already mixed or your favorite Whiskey Sour from the pub. Cocktail kits are still allowed, but the alcohol must come in its own sealed container. You then mix it yourself at home.
For example, at local favorite mezcaleria Las Almas Rotas on Parry Avenue, which has temporarily rebranded its to-go menu as Las ALMOST Rotas, you can order tacos, enchiladas and other meals online for curbside pickup, plus cocktail mix like the Passionfruit Habanero Margarita Mix, which does not include the actual alcohol. The bottles of mezcal and tequila are sold separately. You have to buy a food item as well.
Brewery taprooms and wine tasting rooms can also reopen May 1 if they meet both the following requirements: operate as a restaurant (permanent food service on site) and alcohol sales do not exceed 51% of gross receipts. They can also offer quick tastings to purchase products for off-site consumption as authorized by each license or permit type, according to the TABC.
Wine and beer retailers with an on-premise license have different to-go guidelines. Those orders don’t have to be accompanied by food, and the permit-holder can seal a container of alcohol. There are many different permits issued by the state for various establishments, so check the TABC site for more detailed information.
And if you want to learn how to make cocktails on your own, many local bartenders are creating fun videos on Instagram to show you how it’s done.
For more detailed guidelines from the TABC, go to tabc.state.tx.us/coronavirus/index.asp.
