Cheers To That! Michigan Is Now One Step Closer To Permanently Allowing Drinks To-Go

I don't know about you, but I am thankful that the midterm elections are over.

We finally have an end to the nonstop campaign ads on the radio and TV of politicians telling us what they're going to do if you vote for them.

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Now, these elected men and women can return to the state capitol in Lansing and focus on serving the people of Michigan. One thing I'm really excited about is that we're now one step closer to allowing cocktails to-go.

Michigan Senate Passes Cocktails To Go Bill

On Thursday, November 10th the Michigan Senate passed SB1163 with a vote of 37-The bill would permanently allow restaurants, bars, and distilleries with tasting rooms to sell alcoholic drinks to-go.

Which States Allow Cocktails To Go?

If Michigan was to pass this bill into law we would be joining multiple states in the U.S. that have already passed legislation to make cocktails to-go permanent.

Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia have all made COVID-era cocktail to-go measures permanent.

What's Next?

Now that the Michigan senate has passed SB1163 it heads over to the Michigan House for consideration. If they pass the bill, then it would head to re-elected Michigan Governor Gretch Whitmer who would most likely pass it.

Back in July 2020 during the beginning stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, Gov. Whitmer signed HB 5811 into law which temporarily allowed cocktails to go in sealed containers until Jan 1st, 2026.

I'm a big fan of this idea and I hope it passes and becomes permanent in Michigan.