Sale of Alcoholic Beverages during COVID-19

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages via carry-out, drive-in window, online sales or curbside delivery/pickup.

  • Can a restaurant, brewpub, beer growler or other consumption-on-premises alcohol retail licensee sell alcoholic beverages for carry-out purposes or through a drive-in window?

    A restaurant, brewpub, beer growler or other consumption-on-premises alcohol retail licensee may sell wine and beer in UNOPENED packages only to customers for carry-out purposes or through its drive-in window, except:

    • On a day or at any time when the sale of package beer or wine is otherwise prohibited by law; or
    • At any location which is within distances to grounds or buildings where the sale of alcoholic beverages is otherwise prohibited by law; or
    • A “bar” as defined in O.C.G.A 3-1-2 (2.1), pursuant to a State of Georgia Executive Order dated March 23, 2020, issued by Governor Brian P. Kemp for a period beginning at 12 noon on March 24, 2020 and ending April 6, 2020.

    A restaurant, brewpub, beer growler or other consumption-on-premises alcohol licensee is prohibited from selling distilled spirits for carry-out purposes or through its drive-in window.

  • Can a grocery store or package store sell alcoholic beverages for carry-out purposes or through a drive-in window?

    Yes, a grocery store may sell wine and beer in packages to customers for carry-out purposes only. A package store may sell beer, wine and distilled spirits in packages to customers for carry-out purposes and through its drive-in window.

  • Can a restaurant or brewpub accept online sales for food orders with unopened packages of beer and wine for customer pickup?

    Yes, a restaurant or brewpub may accept online sales of food and unopened packages of beer and wine for customer pickup at the restaurant or brewpub with the following conditions:

    • The customer must present identification to an employee of the restaurant or brewpub to confirm the individual picking up the order is at least 21 years of age.
    • An individual or business providing third-party delivery services may not pickup and/or deliver an order to a customer.  Likewise, a retailer may not deliver alcohol to customers.
    • A restaurant or brewpub may not set up an outside location for customers to pick up food orders with unopened wine and beer, except for an employee standing next to an open doorway or window to hand off the order to the customer during the COVID-19 outbreak period.
  • Can a grocery store or package store offer online sales of alcoholic beverages with curbside delivery or pickup?

    Yes, grocery stores, package stores and other alcohol retail licensees that do not sell alcoholic beverages for consumption-on-premises are permitted to offer online alcohol sales for curbside delivery or pickup.

 

Note: Alcoholic beverages sold and delivered via carry-out, drive-in window, online sales, or curbside delivery/pickup must comply with Georgia Revenue Regulations 560-2-3-.03, 560-2-3-.09 and 560-2-3-.15.