To-go alcoholic drinks may become permanent in Pa.

As takeout became more common during the pandemic, to-go options for alcoholic beverages and mixed drinks have been temporary menu options. But it’s possible alcohol could be a permanent takeout option in Pennsylvania.

Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation allowing for restaurants and hotels with a valid liquor license to serve prepared beverages and mixed drinks during the pandemic. The law required drinks to be packaged in a container with a lid, and drinks could not exceed 64 ounces per transaction.

In addition, customers are required to carry drinks in their trunk or “some other area of the vehicle that is not occupied by the driver or passengers.”

The Pennsylvania House Liquor Control Committee this week voted in favor of a measure that would allow takeout sales of alcoholic beverages to continue. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives will next take up the proposal.

Under the measure, “a person holding and possessing a valid restaurant or hotel liquor license may sell prepared beverages and mixed drinks for off premises consumption where meals prepared for pick-up or curbside pick-up are also available.”

Continuing to allow restaurants to sell alcohol to go would be a benefit for businesses, said Melissa Bova, Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association’s vice president of government affairs.

“The industry has proven that this can be done safely and it is a logical next step to ensure that it is something that can be done for the foreseeable future,” Bova said.

Cocktails to-go have been a popular option at Vallozzi’s restaurant in Greensburg, said owner Julian Vallozzi.

“It was very helpful through the pandemic and it’s become popular,” he said Friday. “I know a couple of our regulars have enjoyed it and are hopeful it’s extended after the pandemic.”

Vallozzi said he thinks the option was particularly beneficial during the pandemic because restaurants needed any additional cashflow when covid-19 restrictions were in effect. But it was also helpful to customers who missed being able to sit at the bar and enjoy a drink.

“I don’t know if it’s something that people have just gotten because they weren’t able to sit at a bar, but I do think there would be a market for it after the pandemic,” Vallozzi said.

But some restaurant owners aren’t convinced it would do much to help an industry hit hard by the pandemic.

Sam Sieber, owner of Sam’s Tavern in the Wall, said his Aspinwall restaurant offered drinks to-go during the pandemic — but it wasn’t a very popular option with customers.

“We’ve sold to-go, but it hasn’t had a great impact, so I don’t know it will in the future,” he said. “I don’t see it as being a major player.”

While he said that anything to loosen restrictions on the restaurant business is a plus, Sieber said he doesn’t think many of his customers show a great demand for takeout alcohol.

“I just don’t know they have a great interest,” he said. “You come to a bar to sit and enjoy people.”

David Magill, owner of Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell, said he, too, tried to sell alcohol for takeout throughout the pandemic. But it wasn’t nearly enough to make up for the losses the restaurant incurred because of covid-19 restrictions.

“It’s throwing crumbs,” he said.

Magill also has concerns about the safety of selling takeout alcoholic drinks. While the law requires the containers have a lid and be stored away from drivers in the car, Magill said he’s worried not everyone will play by the rules. He fears this could lead to drunken driving accidents — and he raised concerns that it would be bad for business if people knew someone wrecked while drinking a to-go beverage from his restaurant.

“Do I think it’s foolish? Absolutely,” he said. “The sad reality is what happens if somebody gets in an accident after they leave with it?”