To-Go Drinks Return To NY Bars And Restaurants, Hochul Promises

NEW YORK — Drink up and go! Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday the return of New York's to-go drink policy.

"[We're] going to do something bars and restaurants have been asking for, to once again allow the sale of to-go drinks," Hochul said. "Cheers, New York."

Gov. Kathy Hochul promised the return of the lapsed COVID-19 shutdown policy — which loosens restrictions on how bars and restaurants serve alcohol — during the State of the State address in Albany.

New Yorkers once again will be able to buy to-go drinks and enjoy them outside of bars and restaurants, the governor said.

Hochul heralded the return of the go-cup policy she said would support small businesses struggling to survive during a new surge of omicron cases.

On Wednesday, Patch also reported two beloved bars in Forest Hills and Park Slope had been forced to close because of revenue lost during the pandemic.

To further this effort, Hochul promised bar and restaurants a tax credit to buy outdoor heaters and extra seating to fund socially-distanced outdoor dining.

New Yorkers responded to the news with questions, demands and pointers to Hochul's public relations team.

The NYC Hospitality Alliance toasted Hochul's good news — "We look forward to toasting her administration and the state legislature once this important policy is reinstated," said executive director Andrew Rigie — but for some New Yorkers it felt like the return of a bad hangover.

"Terrible idea," responded a Patch reader in the comments below. "Means more people screaming, peeing, and vomiting on my beautiful residential street, taking us back to 2020 in style!"