State liquor officials, along with support from the hospitality industry and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, are advocating for a new measure in New Hampshire that would permit restaurants and bars to provide customers with "to-go" cocktails or deliver them to homes. This comes as a response to the ongoing changes in the liquor laws, a topic that gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw temporary allowances for beer and wine deliveries.

State Senator Tim McGough, the sponsor of Senate Bill 524, believes this initiative could enhance revenue for communities while improving safety. Currently, 37 states have similar laws, illustrating a growing trend towards more flexible alcohol service regulations.

Initially, there were reservations about this proposal. Mark Armaganian, chief of law enforcement for the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, expressed concerns regarding possible violations of open container laws. However, over time, the lack of significant issues associated with deliveries shifted opinions towards supporting the bill.

In a survey carried out by a public health advocacy group, it was revealed that six out of the 27 establishments involved at the time had illegally delivered alcohol to minors. This prompted the commission to implement mandatory training for those who violated the regulations, resulting in improved compliance when businesses were checked thereafter.

The latest version of the bill mandates that any cocktails taken out must have a secure seal and include ingredient listings, alcohol content, and health warnings. However, questions arose regarding the exclusion of third-party delivery services like DoorDash or Uber Eats, which McGough pointed out handle a significant volume of food deliveries.

Armaganian noted that states facing challenges with underage sales have struggled when allowing these non-licensee delivery services to transport alcohol, complicating enforcement efforts. Supporters from various political backgrounds, including the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy, argue that states with "to-go" cocktail laws have seen a decrease in drunk driving fatalities, suggesting that such laws could be beneficial overall.

Looking ahead, the Senate Commerce Committee needs to review the bill by early March, and with the House also advancing similar legislation, there’s a strong possibility this initiative will be finalized in the 2026 session.