To-Go Cocktails Now Permanently Legal in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Gov. Ron DeSantis today signed Senate Bill 148, allowing Florida restaurants to permanently provide to-go cocktails to customers. An executive order provided a lifeline to businesses during the pandemic, but it has also proved popular and safe. The Institute for Justice (IJ) supported the permanent change and applauds lawmakers for giving businesses the freedom to serve Floridians in the way that works best for them.

“Today Floridians can order up a cocktail from their favorite restaurant, take it home, and toast to their new freedom,” said IJ Florida Office Managing Attorney Justin Pearson. “Making to-go cocktails permanently available to restaurants and their customers is a sensible step. This reform will help restaurant entrepreneurs and their employees to recover from the pandemic while also providing customers with more options.”

“We want to thank the bill sponsors, Senator Bradley and Representative Tomkow, for their work on both chambers’ versions of the bill, and Governor DeSantis for signing it into law.”