Alcohol to go ends in New York’s bars and restaurants; take a poll

This is so exasperating that I don’t have the energy or will to bother writing much about it today.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the end of New York’s pandemic-related state of emergency.

That means, as of 11:59 p.m. Thursday (6/24), New York’s bars and restaurants will revert to being able to sell only beer to go. Allowed for more than 15 months to sell cocktails by glass, and wine and spirits by the glass and bottle, which was an important source of revenue during the lean times of the pandemic, the state’s hospitality industry suddenly no longer can. Further, alcohol producers including Albany Distilling Co., which had been able to make and ship or locally deliver cocktails, may not longer do so.

Why? Because it was permissible under a state-of-emergency governor’s executive order that was renewed monthly since last spring. The state Legislature kept trying to make the measure at least semi-permanent, but the effort failed, and legislators adjourned, skipping town until their next session starts, in January. And no state of emergency means no renewal of the executive order.

I want to say, “This is unbelievable!” But it’s completely believable. And yet still infuriating.

 Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, said in a statement:

While the lifting of the emergency order is a welcome milestone to the end of the pandemic, with it comes the sudden end to alcohol to-go. A permanent extension of alcohol-to-go is supported by 78% of New Yorkers, but the Legislature failed to extend it and now the Executive Order has ended. Only in New York would elected officials ignore an overwhelming majority of the public. Restaurants are struggling to find staff, keep up with rising costs and manage a limited supply of goods, and nearly two-thirds of the applicants will not receive Restaurant Relief Funds. New York State must do more to help, not hurt, our restaurant industry.

Take a poll:

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