House Approves Social Districts and Cocktails To-Go

Liz Gullett

Jun 19, 2020

The House approved of several measures aimed at helping restaurants who are facing declining revenue due to the pandemic. The bills would allow local municipalities to establish designated outdoor drinking areas where people can purchase and enjoy alcoholic beverages. In areas where the “social districts” are in place, people of legal drinking age can walk around in public drinking alcoholic beverages as long as they remain within the boundaries of the district. Additionally, the bills allow Michigan bars and restaurants to sell cocktails to-go or for delivery. Beverages sold to-go, or for delivery, would be required to be in qualified “sealed” containers that are consistent with the rules for filling beer growlers. “The Michigan Spirits Association has been working on cocktails to-go for months and is hopeful that Michigan will be the next state in the country to join this national trend,” said Sam Awdish, President, Michigan Spirits Association. “This measure has the potential to offer a needed alternate revenue stream for Michigan’s struggling hospitality industry as some have to reinvent themselves to accommodate today’s guests.” Currently, 33 states, plus the District of Columbia, are allowing restaurants and/or bars to sell cocktails to-go, bottled spirits to-go, or both. The bills will be sent to the Senate for consideration.

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