New York would expand access to alcohol by allowing movie theaters to sell liquor and continue to allow people to buy cocktails to-go from bars and restaurants under a series of measures unveiled Thursday.
The state Assembly passed the measures on Thursday, which are part of the larger state budget agreement. It is expected to be followed by the state Senate before being sent to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk for his signature. The agreement was reached between Hochul and leaders in the state Senate and Assembly after a series of closed-door meetings.
According to the New York State Liquor Authority, movie theaters in New York are only allowed to sell beer and wine, but this new legislation would also add alcohol to the mix.
“Someone should be able to enjoy a cocktail while watching a movie,” said Democrat James Skoufis, a state senator and chairman of a legislative committee that passes the state’s alcohol laws.
The measure comes with guardrails to maintain a family-friendly environment in theaters licensed to sell alcohol. People would only be allowed to purchase one alcoholic drink per transaction, and theaters would have to stop selling alcohol once the credits roll for the last showing of the day.
Under another measure in the state budget, New Yorkers would also be allowed to purchase to-go cocktails from restaurants and bars over the next five years. The rule was set to expire next year after the state temporarily approved takeout sales of alcoholic beverages during the pandemic.
Skoufis, who supports keeping the measure permanent, said: “It provides some short-term certainty to restaurants and businesses that do this.”
Lawmakers in Albany voted Thursday to push back the state budget deadline again, but they are expected to vote on a package of budget proposals later in the week. Hochul announced the framework of a $237 billion program on Monday budgetapproximately two weeks after the original April 1 deadline.