Arizona bill would legalize sale of to-go cocktails by restaurants & bars

Arizona state Rep. Jeff Weninger from Chandler has introduced a bill to allow restaurants and bars to sell to-go cocktails again, helping the struggling hospitality industry recover from the covid-19 pandemic.

It would be similar in effect to Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order last summer that sparked complaints from many bar owners and was struck down as unconstitutional by a judge in November.

The issue in a nutshell:

Most local restaurants that serve alcohol operate under a Series 12 license, commonly known as a ‘‘restaurant license,’’ allowing them to sell all types of liquor for on-site consumption only as long as food accounts for at least 40% of sales.

Series 12 licenses typically cost $2,000 the first year and can be renewed for just $585 per year.

Most bars, on the other hand, operate under a Class 6 license, known as a ‘‘full bar license,’’ or a Series 7, known as a ‘‘beer and wine license,’’ that don’t require food sales. They also allow holders to sell liquor to go.

Series 6 and 7 licenses only are available through a state lottery or purchase from a license holder. They typically cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

So when Ducey’s order allowed Series 12 holders to sell liquor to go, bar owners argued it devalued their Class 6 and 7 licenses and undermined their businesses.

Weninger’s bill would give restaurants with a Series 12 license the opportunity to purchase an additional permit to sell to-go cocktails.

Weninger co-owns Floridino’s Pizza & Pasta in Chandler and Dilly’s Deli in Tempe.