Restaurants and bars are renewing and strengthening their call for to-go cocktails in North Carolina following the state’s latest executive order. The Charlotte chapter of the United States Bartenders’ Guild released the following statement last week:

“Since the start of the pandemic, 33 states and D.C. have added legislation to allow for the sale of mixed beverage to-go beverages as a vital lifeline of profitability for restaurants and bars. To help stem the tide of permanent restaurant closures, we are asking for reasonable and temporary legislation to be able to do the same in N.C.

Even though restaurants and bars are allowed to be open at reduced capacity, it does not translate into running a profitable business. Sales are down, tables are empty, and guests are less comfortable going out in public. Give them a safe, fun way to enjoy a full restaurant experience from the comfort of their own home.”

As part of the #cocktails2gonc campaign, the guild is asking for support on social media using the hashtag in messages to Governor Roy Cooper, as well as sending e-mails to local and state government officials. 

The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association has been advocating for cocktails to go since the beginning of the pandemic, and has indicated talks have turned more promising lately. The lobbying group has hit several roadblocks, however, starting with religious conservative legislators preventing the passage of any relief effort that includes cocktails to go. NCRLA’s staff has instead turned to fighting for an executive order allowing the sales of cocktails to-go. They’ve expressed the Governor’s office is open to doing so, but the legality of such a move was uncertain. 

“We would love to see it done by executive order if it is legal for the governor to do so,” NCRLA president Lynn Minges told us recently. “It will certainly be a big help.”

NCRLA remains in talks with the Governor’s office, as well as North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.

“We continue to work closely with Gov. Cooper and his team on the important business relief measure known as “cocktails-to-go” and are very encouraged by recent conversations,” the NCRLA shared on Friday as the 10 p.m. curfew went into effect.

Colleen Hughes, the beverage director of the restaurant group that owns Haberdish, Crepe Cellar, Growler’s Pourhouse, and upcoming Supperland, is a member of the USBG’s Board of Directors and is helping lead the Charlotte effort.

“This is a grassroots effort to try to push for pro-restaurant/bar legislation,” Hughes says. 

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