Capitol News

As the COVID-19 restrictions begin to loosen, Michigan House Republicans are working on a bipartisan measure that would allow for social drinking zones and cocktails to-go.

Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) has given her support to the bipartisan legislation that would allow bars and restaurants within the state to serve alcoholic beverages to go, providing a source of revenue for the businesses and additional opportunities for enjoyment for the customer.

This will be incredibly helpful for businesses that have been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic — specifically restaurants and bars, which have had little to no business in the past few months. 

“Many constituents and local establishments in our community have reached out to me about this issue in the last year,” Lightner said on the Michigan House Republicans website. “I’m glad we were able to work in a bipartisan manner to move this sound policy forward, helping our businesses and building our downtowns.”

With the new legislation, local municipalities would be allowed to create designated drinking areas. While in these areas, adults would be able to purchase to-go beverages and socialize with others, as long as they social-distance and remain within the boundaries of the drinking areas. 

Local governments would be the only entities with the authority to allow and revoke these so-called "social districts." Beverages will be required to be sold in containers that are in accordance with the government's requirements, such as beer growlers. 

Because the city of Toledo already has a social district, Michigan residents have been taking advantage of its offerings, Lightner said, which is all the more reason to institute their own within the state. 

“We cannot continue to allow Ohio to steal business from Michigan-based establishments,” Lightner said, according to Michigan House Republicans. “This is just another step forward to keep Michigan a great place to live, work and play.”

The bills for social districts, House Bills 5781 and 5811, are moving on to the Michigan Senate.