Well this is an interesting update. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is temporarily allowing restaurants that serve beer, wine and cocktails with meals to allow them to sell them “to go” when sold in conjunction with meals prepared for pick-up or delivery.

In other words, during the statewide “Stay at Home” order, you may purchase say, a margarita, to take home with your meal.

The alcoholic beverage must be packaged in a container with a secure lid or cap. No sipping holes or openings for straws allowed. In other words, ya can’t be selling that whisky sour in a Starbucks style sippy cup.

Additionally, any restaurant that does partake in this practice must prominently post the following warning:

Alcoholic beverages that are packaged by this establishment are open containers and may not be transported in a motor vehicle except in the vehicle’s trunk; or, if there is no trunk, the container may be kept in some other area of the vehicle that is not normally occupied by the driver or passengers (which does not include a utility compartment or glove compartment (Vehicle Code Section 23225)). Further, such beverages may not be consumed in public or in any other area where open containers are prohibited by law.

In other words, don’t be placing that Mojito in the drink holder next to your automatic transmission lever. Too tempting. And still illegal.

This exception may be withdrawn at anytime, the the Department indicates it plans to give 10-day notice before doing so.

www.abc.ca.gov/notice-of-regulatory-relief