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Have you ever been unable to finish a margarita or a bottle of wine and wished that you could take it home in your car? Well, North Carolina may have the perfect solution. It’s now legal in the state to take cocktails to go! 

North Carolina allows cocktails to-go 

Apparently, North Carolina is behind on this trend because it’s the 29th state to permanently allow cocktails to-go. 

Previously, there was a law that permitted restaurants to sell to-go cocktails, but that was banned on June 1, 2021. 

So don’t be surprised if you find mixed beverages in trucks or SUVs. Governor Cooper signed SB 527 allowing ready-to-drink spirits and to-go cocktails on Tuesday, Tuesday, July 9th. 

You can only take your drink in your car if it’s under 24 oz, Also it must already be made before the drink leaves the business. It also must be purchased with food. 

How could a customer take one home after they already left?! Perhaps, someone could attempt to skirt around the law by making their own beverage and claiming it was from a restaurant. 

Anyways, the beverage can be in an open or closed container. This seems a bit muddy to me, because how can you prove if someone wasn’t drinking and driving with an open container? 

Does this mean it’s now legal to drive with an open container depending on its type? Like can you have a styrofoam cup full of liquor while you can’t have an open can of beer? 

To be clear, drinking and driving is still illegal. Adults 21+ must show their ID to get the beverage. Also, you can now have cocktails delivered but the same rules apply. 

Plus, this law permits drinks to be sold within TSA-screened areas, but containers can’t be larger than 16 oz. So, you can have water, soda, or beer while waiting in line as long as you don’t get it outside of the airport. 

Last, but not least, it’s now legal to sell alcohol at community college sporting events and pickleball clubs. But why was the pickleball club thing illegal in the first place? 

North Carolina is about to be a little drunker, for better or worse.

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Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.