To-go beers, cocktails float lifeline to some El Paso bars and restaurants during COVID-19

Gov. Greg Abbott recently expanded who may sell alcoholic beverages to-go and for delivery, floating El Paso restaurants and bars a new lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The to-go option may be welcomed by Texans who want to recreate happy hour from their living room couch or porch.

Here's what to know about taking your booze to-go.

What are the rules in Texas? 

As of June 27, restaurants and bars with a Mixed Beverage Permit and a permanent kitchen are allowed to sell mixed drinks with liquor to-go and for delivery, as long as food is also ordered.

These businesses can now prepare and seal drinks by themselves. Prior to Abbott’s expansion, only bars with Wine and Beer Retailer’s Permits could serve self-prepared and sealed drinks to-go and for delivery, while businesses with other licenses could only serve drinks in manufacturer-sealed bottles and with the purchase of food. 

“(Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s) hope is that this will allow businesses that are struggling during the pandemic to bring in some much-needed revenue and hopefully allow them to safely serve their customers during this time,” Chris Porter, public information officer at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, said.

What does that mean for El Paso? 

Restaurants like Angry Owl Southwest Grill & Cantina have had to sell their signature margaritas with its ingredients in a 12-ounce container and the tequila in a separate, sealed 50-milliliter bottle. Their customers purchase drink kits and mix the cocktails themselves, rather than drinking pre-made margaritas.

“When you make things fresh, it’s different than getting a mix at home,” Chico Nelan, owner of Angry Owl, said.

It's hard to duplicate the drink because Angry Owl staff adds its special touch by using fresh lime, lemon, and fruit puree in the restaurant’s margaritas. Angry Owl has focused on margaritas during the pandemic, which has boosted their to-go food and drink sales.

“The reality is people are still scared to come out, and we get it,” he said.

Certain bars and restaurants can now sell either drink kits, where cocktail ingredients and liquor are separate, or already mixed drinks with liquor. Under the new order, the drink must be sealed on-site and sealed with the name of the restaurant and “alcoholic beverage.” The mixed drink must be placed in a bag sealed with a zip tie, and cannot be transported in the passenger area of a vehicle. Again, food must be ordered along with alcohol to-go or for delivery.

El Paso bars and restaurants adjust to stay afloat 

Abbott ordered all bars to close once again June 26 — just over a month after he had allowed them to reopen — sending bars scrambling to adapt to another unexpected, unwarned shutdown. 

More: El Paso bar owners shocked by Gov. Greg Abbott order to close all bars, one vows to stay open

Since the first shutdown, Texas restaurants have lost over 700,000 jobs and $4.2 billion in revenue already, according to the Texas Restaurant Association’s Texas Restaurant Survival Plan.

More: Pending end of $600 weekly unemployment payments inspires agency's 'Back to Work' campaign

Some businesses have managed to adjust their models to remain open.

Aurellia’s Bottle Shop and Brewhouse started selling to-go canned, conventional beer, which — coupled with 64-ounce growlers from its regular seasonal menu — has kept the brewery afloat. 

“Craft beer customers are adventurous. They’re not loyal to specific brands, so they want the constantly new and evolving beer. It also lets them know that because it’s new, that means it’s fresh," Justin Gibson, owner of Aurellia’s, said. "It’s not a keg that’s been sitting a long time. Anybody will tell you that the best beer is the freshest beer.” 

But the pandemic still has not been easy.

“This has been probably the most challenging time for any business owner alive now. We’ve been open and transparent about that and shared the challenges and struggles that we’ve had to face,” he said.

Could drinks to-go be here to stay? 

To-go alcohol sales were originally allowed when Abbott signed a waiver March 18 to support struggling bars and restaurants during the pandemic. The waiver would have expired May 1 but was indefinitely extended instead. Abbott suggested then that to-go sales may be permanent. “From what I hear from Texans, we may just let this keep on going forever,” he tweeted. 

Abbott tweeted his support for permanent to-go alcohol sales again June 20. State Rep. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, replied and said that he would file a bill when the next legislative session starts in January to continue allowing both to-go alcohol sales and to-go bulk retail food item sales.

“It adds value to what we do, especially during times like these,” Nelan said. “I’m all for it staying permanent.”

Kalley Huang may be reached at khuang@elpasotimes.com and @KalleyHuang on Twitter.