Sales of Alcoholic Beverages To-Go

Certain on-sale licensees are authorized to sell alcoholic beverages to-go. Below is information on laws and guidelines on existing and expanded privileges associated with the sales of alcoholic beverages to-go.

Expanded To-Go Privileges

See ABC’s Industry Advisory on Senate Bill 389 for a review of the new, expanded alcohol to-go privileges.

Requirements and Guidelines

Review the requirements and guidelines for selling distilled spirits and single-serve wine to-go.

Submit Notification

Submit your notice of intent to sell alcohol to-go in non-manufacturer containers.

Existing Privileges

Business and Professions Code Section 23401

Existing law authorizes on-sale general licensees, such as Types 47 and 48, with respect to beer and wine, and any on-sale licensee, such as Types 41 and 42, with respect to the particular beverage or beverages mentioned in the license, to exercise the rights and privileges granted by an off-sale beer and wine license. Daily on-sale general licenses, issued pursuant to Section 24045.1, do not have off-sale privileges. None of the licensees mentioned in this section may, by reason of any license mentioned in this section, label, bottle, package, or refill any package with any alcoholic beverage.

Note: The COVID-19 regulatory relief that temporarily allowed for licensees to sell alcoholic beverages to-go expires on December 31, 2021. Starting January 1, 2022, only those on-sale licensees authorized under Business and Professions Code Sections 23401 and 23401.5 are authorized to exercise the off-sale privileges described in the sections.

Expanded Privileges

Business and Professions Code Section 23401.5

Passage of Senate Bill 389 added Section 23401.5 to the Business and Professions Code. This law, effective January 1, 2022, expands off-sale privileges for certain restaurant license types, such as Types 41, 47 and 75, and certain alcohol manufacturer license types that operate a bona fide eating place at its premises of production, such as Types 01, 02, 23 and 74. The law authorizes these licensees to exercise the following privileges subject to specific requirements:

  1. Sell distilled spirits in manufacturer-sealed containers (e.g. sealed cans or bottles) for off-site consumption as long as the order is picked up from the premises by the consumer and proper identification is displayed.
  2. Sell for off-site consumption distilled spirits and single-serve wine that are not in manufacturer-sealed containers (e.g. a cocktail or a serving of wine) subject to specific provisions outlined in statute (see SB-389).

Prior to exercising the privileges in item 2 above, licensees must notify the department of their intent to sell alcohol to-go in non-manufacturer sealed containers. Licensees must use the Alcohol To-Go Notification Tool to submit their notice of intent. Licensees eligible to exercise the privilege of sales of nonmanufacturer-sealed alcoholic beverages to-go may begin sales immediately after submitting the online notification and posting the required warning sign.

The alcohol sold may only be that which is allowed by the particular license type (ex. Type 41 license types cannot sell distilled spirits). Beer cannot be sold in non-manufacturer sealed containers.

Licensees that have operating conditions prohibiting off-sale privileges are not authorized to exercise any of the above privileges that are contrary to their operating conditions. Upon a showing of good cause, the department may at any time impose new conditions on a license restricting or prohibiting the sale or furnishing of any alcoholic beverages pursuant to this privilege.

This statute is scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027.

Licensees should carefully review the Requirements and Guidelines before submitting a notice of intent.

Contact

For additional information,
contact your local ABC District Office.

- OR -


Bakersfield

map

4800 Stockdale Highway., Suite 213
Bakersfield, CA 93309

Phone:
(661) 395-2731
Fax:
(661) 322-5929
Email:
Bakersfield@abc.ca.gov

Concord

map

1800 Sutter St., Ste 450
Concord, CA 94520

Phone:
(925) 655-6314
Fax:
(925) 655-6310
Email:
Concord@abc.ca.gov

Eureka

map

1105 Sixth St., Suite C
Eureka, CA 95501

Phone:
(707) 445-7229
Fax:
(707) 445-6643
Email:
Eureka@abc.ca.gov

Fresno

map

1330 B East Shaw Ave.
Fresno, CA 93710-7902

Phone:
(559) 225-6334
Fax:
(559) 225-8740
Email:
Fresno@abc.ca.gov

LA/Metro

map

888 S Figueroa Street, Suite 320
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Phone:
(213) 833-6043
Fax:
(213) 833-6058
Email:
LAMetro@abc.ca.gov

LB/Lakewood

map

3950 Paramount Blvd., Suite 250
Lakewood, CA 90712

Phone:
(562) 982-1337
Fax:
(562) 275-4174
Email:
LongBeach/Lakewood@abc.ca.gov

Lodi

map

3021 Reynolds Ranch Parkway, Suite 150
Lodi, CA 95240

Phone:
(209) 371-6761
Fax:
(209) 371-6763
Email:
lodi@abc.ca.gov

Monrovia

map

222 E. Huntington Dr., Suite 114
Monrovia, CA 91016

Phone:
(626) 256-3241
Fax:
(626) 263-9858
Email:
Monrovia@abc.ca.gov

Palm Desert

map

34-160 Gateway Dr., Suite 120
Palm Desert, CA 92211

Phone:
(760) 324-2027
Fax:
(760) 324-2632
Email:
PalmDesert@abc.ca.gov

Redding

map

1900 Churn Creek Rd., Suite 215
Redding, CA 96002

Phone:
(530) 224-4830
Fax:
(530) 224-9338
Email:
Redding@abc.ca.gov

Riverside

map

3737 Main Street, Suite 900
Riverside, CA 92501

Phone:
(951) 782-4400
Fax:
(951) 781-0531
Email:
Riverside@abc.ca.gov

Sacramento

map

2400 Del Paso Road, Suite 155
Sacramento, CA 95834

Phone:
(916) 419-1319
Fax:
(916) 419-3994
Email:
Sacramento@abc.ca.gov

Salinas

map

1137 Westridge Parkway
Salinas, CA 93907

Phone:
(831) 755-1990
Fax:
(831) 755-1997
Email:
Salinas@abc.ca.gov

San Diego

map

8620 Spectrum Center Blvd., Suite 302
San Diego, CA 92123

Phone:
(858) 300-6855
Fax:
(858) 300-6874
Email:
SanDiego@abc.ca.gov

San Francisco

map

33 New Montgomery St., Suite 1230
San Francisco, CA 94105

Phone:
(415) 356-6500
(415) 356-6501
(415) 356-6502
(415) 356-6503
Fax:
(415) 356-6599
Email:
SanFrancisco@abc.ca.gov

San Jose

map

224 Airport Parkway, Suite 620
San Jose, CA 95110

Phone:
(408) 346-2417
Fax:
(408) 346-2413
Email:
SanJose@abc.ca.gov

San Luis Obispo

map

3220 S. Higuera St., Suite 103A
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Phone:
(805) 543-7183
Fax:
(805) 543-3814
Email:
SanLuisObispo@abc.ca.gov

San Marcos

map

570 Rancheros Drive, Suite 240
San Marcos, CA 92069

Phone:
(760) 471-4237
Fax:
(760) 471-6142
Email:
SanMarcos@abc.ca.gov

Santa Ana

map

2 MacArthur Place, Suite 200
Santa Ana, CA 92707

Phone:
(657) 205-3533
Fax:
(657) 205-3520
Email:
SantaAna@abc.ca.gov

Santa Rosa

map

50 D Street, Room 130
Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Phone:
(707) 576-2165
Fax:
(707)527-9537
Email:
SantaRosa@abc.ca.gov

Van Nuys

map

6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Room 220
Van Nuys, CA 91401

Phone:
(818) 901-5017
Fax:
(818) 785-6731
Email:
VanNuys@abc.ca.gov

Ventura

map

1000 South Hill Road, Suite 310
Ventura, CA 93003

Phone:
(805) 289-0100
Fax:
(805) 289-0110
Email:
Ventura@abc.ca.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

What licensees can participate in off-sale alcoholic beverage sales pursuant to this bill?

This bill applies to the holder of an on-sale license that is issued for a bona fide public eating place that has off-sale privileges. This includes Type 41, Type 47, and Type 75 licenses. It also applies to a licensed beer manufacturer, licensed wine manufacturer, or licensed craft distiller that operates a bona fide public eating place at its premises of production.

To sell distilled spirits or wine for off-site consumption as authorized by this bill, the licensee must have on-sale wine or distilled spirits privileges. For example, a Type 41 license cannot sell distilled spirits pursuant to this bill since that license type does not provide distilled spirits privileges.

What is a manufacturer-sealed container vs. a to-go nonmanufacturer-sealed container?

A manufacturer-sealed container is a container, such as a bottle or can, that is filled and sealed by the manufacturer of the alcohol. A nonmanufacturer-sealed container (to-go) is a container filled by the retail licensee that has a secure lid or cap that is sealed in a manner designed to prevent consumption without removal of the lid or cap by breaking the seal. A nonmanufacturer-sealed container is considered an “open container” if transported in a motor vehicle. In addition to other requirements, licensees selling nonmanufacturer-sealed alcoholic beverages to-go must post a notice that states the following:

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

May a to-go nonmanufacturer-sealed container leave the premises after being opened or partly consumed?

No. Licensees are responsible for ensuring compliance with this restriction. Similarly, partially consumed alcoholic beverages, such as those ordered while dining-in, cannot be packaged to-go.

What alcohol can be delivered?

Existing law generally allows an on-sale retail license to sell or deliver manufacturer-sealed containers of beer and wine for consumption off the licensed premises. This bill does not alter these privileges in any way. However, alcoholic beverages sold pursuant to this bill cannot be delivered. This means that manufacturer-sealed distilled spirits and nonmanufacturer-sealed distilled spirits or single-serve wine cannot be delivered to consumers.