Cheers! Alcohol To-Go is Now Law in Texas

Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill into law Wednesday allowing restaurants to serve alcohol to-go.

You may remember that alcohol to-go sales were allowed on a temporary basis here in Texas in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to help keep people safe while providing a revenue stream to restaurants whose dining rooms were closed.

According to The Texas Tribune, House Bill 1024 allows restaurants to include beer, wine and mixed drinks in take-out orders. The bill, which was introduced on January 7, was approved by more than two-thirds of the House and Senate, meaning it goes into effect immediately.

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We Texans love our booze, so it’s no surprise it passed as swiftly as it did. “It turned out that Texas liked alcohol to-go so much, the Texas Legislature wanted to make that permanent law in the state of Texas,” Abbott said Wednesday.

“Today is a great day for Texas restaurants, as well as for customers,” Abbott stated before signing the bill.

It is a great day indeed. But remember, even though alcohol to-go sales are law in Texas, it’s still illegal to drink and drive. So, don’t open your beverage until you get to your destination.

Now, if we can just get a law passed to allow liquor stores to be open on Sundays (I’m looking at you, Austin).