New bill would allow drive-thru alcohol sales in Alabama, starting 2023

On Thursday, February 10th, the Alabama House of Representative passed a bill that would allow licensed retailers to offer drive-thru sales for both beer and wine. If passed by the Alabama Senate & signed into law, the bill will require the Alcoholic Beverage and Control Board to implement the drive-thru sales by January 1st, 2023.

Keep reading to learn more.

Drive-thru alcohol sales in Alabama?

The drive-thru alcohol bill is sponsored by Alabama Rep. Gil Isbell and passed the House with a vote of 65 in favor, 18 opposed and 15 absentees. According to an article by AL.com, the bill would allow any retailer licensed to alcoholic beverages the choice to offer a drive-thru or walk-up window in their establishment, as long as the employee making the sale is 21 or older.

This isn’t the first time that Rep. Gil Isbell has tried to introduce Alabama to drive-thru alcohol sales. The same bill was passed by the Alabama House of Representatives in 2021, but failed to come up for a vote with the Alabama Senate.

However, the last year has seen Alabama loosen many of its once-restrictive alcohol laws. During the pandemic, Gov. Kay Ivey issued an emergency order to allow curbside alcohol to-go in an effort to both support struggling businesses and curb the spread of COVID-19.

Although the curbside alcohol ordinance has expired, Gov. Kay Ivey signed S.B. 126 into law, which allows licensed businesses to deliver sealed containers of beer, wine and liquor to customers’ homes. Thanks to this bill—and new businesses like Dippi—alcohol delivery is an option in Alabama.

According to a 2020 article by Thrillist, 30 U.S. States allow some form of drive-thru alcohol sales, including Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.

Do you support drive-thru alcohol sales in Alabama? Tag us @thebamabuzz to let us know!