New Yorkers Overwhelmingly Want Takeout Cocktails to Stay, Survey Says

New Yorkers still back making to-go cocktails permanent, survey says

Just as Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive order allowing the sale of alcohol with takeout or delivery orders expires on June 5, the New York State Restaurant Association published a survey that reports a majority of state residents support making the move permanent. While the temporary measure has been renewed several times in the past year, the survey shows ongoing support of legalizing to-go cocktails — a silver lining of the pandemic that New Yorkers have embraced.

The statewide survey collected responses from 700 people between May 14 to 20 and showed that 78 percent of New Yorkers favored legislation to make to-go cocktails a permanent fixture. It’s not the first time the NYSRA has conducted such a survey; a report published last summer indicated similar levels of support. Across the country, some states have begun striking the old regulations for good in favor of the more relaxed drinking guidelines. At least 11 states have gone ahead to make to-go cocktails a permanent fixture.

In other news

— The open-air Queens Night Market announced it is returning on June 19 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park at reduced capacities for the first time since the pandemic.

— Restaurants added nearly 15,000 jobs in April and led the way in the city’s economic recovery as NYC’s unemployment rate dipped to 11.4 percent from 11.7 percent in March.

— Maman, the well-received French bakery, plans to open its first uptown location at 1424 Third Avenue, at East 81st Street, on June 1.

— Rosella, the sustainably-minded sushi establishment in the East Village, garners another favorable review, this time from New York magazine’s Adam Platt.

— Rosé fans will want to take note of the Italian Antinori family’s Tormaresca winery’s Calafuria pop-up bar atop Ampia Restaurant’s outdoor rooftop terrace. It opens on May 28 and runs through the fall.

— The biggest barbecue event over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend will include the Rib King NYC competition, a showcase of hot sauce markers, and plenty of booze as part of the 5 Boro PicNYC. It all takes place on May 29 at at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens in Staten Island.

— All four, please: