The popular measure that allowed restaurants to sell alcohol to-go during the pandemic is back for good as part of the state budget.
Some restaurant owners credit drinks to-go with keeping their business afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, others worry about the potential for increased liability associated with the new permanent policy, which requires restaurants to sell food along with the drink.
Robbie Tenant, co-owner of Robbie’s Bar and Grill in Hilton, has chosen not to offer any alcoholic drinks to-go. Tenant was concerned it puts too much risk on businesses to keep an eye on customers after they leave the premises.
“It’s a liability to me because if they don’t put them in the trunk of the car, liquor board told me that it’s on me if they don’t put it in the trunk,” said Tenant, according to WROC. “And I don’t have the manpower to police everyone walking into the parking lot. To me, it’s not helpful at all.”
Tenant said most of her alcohol to-go requests come during last call. If a customer chooses to drink and drive, she worries her business could be held liable.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].