Bars and Restaurants – COVID Restrictions
o Restaurants and bars that serve food may be open, but only for takeout and delivery. Customers
cannot eat or drink at the establishment, including all indoor and outdoor seating areas. The number of people waiting for takeout cannot exceed 50% of the restaurant’s capacity. Customers waiting for takeout should not be served drinks to consume during their wait.
o
Bars that typically do not sell food may not be open.
o If the restaurant or bar has an on-premise SLA liquor license, they can sell alcohol to go and via delivery but all alcohol sales
must be accompanied by the purchase of food. The food must be something that is prepared by and regularly served at the establishment like finger foods or sandwiches. Selling prepackaged bag of chips, peanuts or pretzels does not suffice as a sale of food.
o The type of alcohol sold for takeout or delivery must comply with the on-premise liquor license. If the liquor license allows for beer to be consumed on-premise, only beer may be sold for takeout or delivery. The restaurant cannot sell hard alcohol.
o Alcohol must be served in a closed or sealed container. A closed container includes a cup with a lid.
o
Restaurants and bars may not set up stands on sidewalks in front of their businesses to sell alcohol. They may only sell alcohol within the areas of their establishments that are covered by their liquor license.
o These rules are in place until May 15, 2020. This date may be extended by the Governor.
o These rules do not impact places that are licensed to sell for off-premise consumption such as liquor stores, bodegas and some breweries. Those places may continue to sell alcohol for carryout without food.
o Alcohol sales may only take place during the permissible on-premise hours of operation.
o These privileges apply to temporary SLA license holders.
o The rule banning on-premise consumption applies to all establishments that serve food and drink including private social clubs, golf courses and catering halls.
