New York State Liquor Authority Guidance On COVID-Related Closing Times
Effective Friday, November 13, 2020 at 10:00PM
Pursuant to Executive Order 202.74, effective Friday November 13, 2020, at 10:00PM all licensed establishments with on premises privileges (e.g. restaurants, taverns, catering halls, clubs, manufacturers with tasting rooms, etc.) shall cease all on premises service of food and drink (indoors or outdoors) at or before 10:00PM, daily. Such establishments may reopen for in-person service at 5:00AM, daily, provided however that alcoholic beverage service may not resume until the later of any stipulated opening hour on the license or the county on premises opening hour.
Curbside to-go and delivery service of food and non-alcoholic beverages, or drive through service, may continue daily after 10:00PM and until any closing hour specified on the license – provided that no alcoholic beverages may be sold to-go or for delivery after 10:00PM. Curbside to-go and delivery service of alcoholic beverages may resume daily at the later of any stipulated opening hour on the license or the county on premises opening hour.
Additionally, off premises liquor and wine stores shall cease sales and close at 10:00 PM, daily, and may not reopen before the county off premises liquor and wine opening hour.
Q & A Regarding Closing Times
I am a licensee with on premises service privileges, must I merely stop serving food and drink at 10PM, or must all consumption end at or before 10?
All consumption must end at or before 10:00PM. If patrons are on the premises (indoors or outdoors) and consuming food or drink after 10:00PM, you are in violation of the Executive Order and subject to disciplinary penalties up to an including suspension/cancellation of your license and/or fines of up to $10,000.
I am a licensee with grocery store/drug store license, does the Executive Order impose any new restrictions on my business?
No, the 10 p.m. curfew does not apply, but grocery and drug stores must continue to operate under all current DOH and SLA Guidance.
I am a licensee with on premises service privileges, does the 10 person gathering limit in EO 202.74 apply to me?
No, the limitation for non-essential gatherings in EO 202.74 applies only to gatherings at privates residences.
I am a licensee using my on premises service privileges to hold weddings and other events and parties, must the attendees of these events leave the premises by 10:00PM?
Yes, service and consumption must end at 10:00PM at all premises licensed for on premises consumption, and the licensee must cease operation and close to patrons at such time.
I am a licensee operating a movie theater, must moviegoers leave the theater by 10:00PM?
Yes, movie theaters with a license issued by the SLA must be closed daily at or before 10:00PM.
I am a licensee operating a bowling alley, must bowlers leave the alley by 10:00PM?
Yes, bowling alleys with a license issued by the SLA must be closed daily at or before 10:00PM.
I am a licensee operating a casino, must I close at 10:00PM?
Yes, casinos with a license issued by the SLA must be closed daily at or before 10:00PM and can reopen no sooner than 5:00AM. If you are serving alcoholic beverages and are licensed by the Gaming Commission, you may be subject to further restriction by such Commission.
https://sla.ny.gov/Guidance-COVID-Related-Closing-Times