Nevada has officially made cocktails to-go a permanent option for consumers, following the signing of Assembly Bill 375 by Gov. Joe Lombardo on June 9. This legislation not only allows for the sale of liquor to-go but also designates Picon Punch as the official state drink.
The bill was primarily sponsored by Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager and GOP Assemblymember Bert Gurr, who initially proposed a simpler version that evolved into the comprehensive bill. The new law empowers county commissioners and city councils to permit cocktails to-go in their respective areas, enhancing convenience for consumers while providing a valuable revenue stream for local bars and restaurants.
The trend of cocktails to-go began as a temporary measure during the pandemic, and since then, 31 other states and the District of Columbia have also enacted similar laws to permanently allow this practice. While several states have opted for temporary measures, Nevada’s decision reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences and the hospitality industry’s adaptation to new market demands.
Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia have all made COVID-era cocktails to-go measures permanent.
California (expires December 31, 2026), Illinois (expires August 1, 2028), New Jersey (TBD) and New York (expires April 9, 2030) passed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis.
