Liquor authority extends Alcohol To-Go and other reform measures

The NYS Liquor Authority has made significant changes to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law with the enactment of the state’s 2025 budget.

These measures aim to modernize the state’s ABC laws. The budget includes several recommendations from a report issued last May by the Commission to Study Reform of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. Other budget items address outdated statutes while enhancing the customer experience.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed several recommendations into law: a five-year extension for Alcohol To-Go, one-day event permits and temporary wholesaler permits. In addition, applicants can apply for a license and notify their municipality simultaneously, and the liquor authority will not act on the application for 30 days to allow time for municipal input.

The budget removes the requirement mandating catering permits be issued only for indoor functions or events and allows spirits other than beer and wine to be served in movie theaters. It eliminates a Prohibition-era law that required liquor stores to be located at street level to qualify for a license.

The budget also expands catering permits, allows liquor beverage sales in movie theaters and makes outdoor dining permanent. These reforms are seen as bringing more opportunities to small businesses.

The liquor authority was established in 1934 as part of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. It processes permits and licenses and works with local law enforcement agencies.

“I am gratified to see positive and useful reforms to the antiquated ABC law included in the final state budget,” said New York State Sen. James Skoufis, chair of the Investigations and Government Operations Committee. “Restaurants and taverns are critical to the fabric of our communities and their economic success has a wide-spreading effect, impacting communities as a whole.”