Theo Nash
On July 1, 2025, five new laws impacting the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) and its licensees came into effect. These laws include permanent cocktails-to-go, serving canned cocktails, human trafficking training, underage tobacco and hemp sales, and tied house exceptions. The new laws reflect the Virginia ABC's commitment to progress and innovation while maintaining its exclusive control over the state's spirits retail and wholesale operations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cocktails-To-Go | Permanent |
| Serving Canned Cocktails | Licensees can serve the entire contents of a canned cocktail to a single patron if the container is 16 ounces or less and the cocktail’s alcohol by volume content is no greater than 15% |
| Human Trafficking Training | Virginia ABC to include a human trafficking training module in the Authority’s Responsible Sellers & Servers: Virginia’s Program (RSVP) training program |
| Underage Tobacco and Hemp Sales | A working group created to address enforcement of underage sales of tobacco, liquid nicotine and hemp products |
| Tied House Exceptions | Clarified the existing statutory exception to allow a manufacturer, bottler or wholesaler to obtain a retail license if they do not sell alcoholic beverages to the retail licensee |
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What You'll Learn
Cocktails-to-go made permanent
As of July 1, 2025, Virginia has made permanent the temporary cocktails-to-go law that was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. This change is reflected in HB 2058 and SB 811, which remove the pending sunset clause for the delivery of wine, beer, and cocktails by licensed third-party providers such as DoorDash and Uber Eats.
This new law is one of five new alcohol-related laws in Virginia that impact the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) and its licensees. The cocktails-to-go law was particularly popular during the pandemic, when many restaurants had to shift to carry-out operations.
The permanent cocktails-to-go law maintains the same public safety protections as the temporary law, including those related to packaging and labeling. For example, the law states that the container must be 16 ounces or less and the cocktail's alcohol by volume content must be no greater than 15%.
This change is expected to benefit both consumers and businesses, as it provides added convenience and a new revenue stream for restaurants and delivery services.
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Serving canned cocktails
From July 1, 2025, new alcohol-related laws came into effect in Virginia. One of the five new laws pertains to serving canned cocktails.
SB 868 allows mixed beverage licensees to serve the entire contents of a canned cocktail to a single patron. However, there are specific restrictions in place. The original canned cocktail must not exceed 16 ounces and must not contain more than 15% alcohol by volume. This law applies to both in-house and to-go services.
Cocktails-To-Go
The cocktails-to-go law, made permanent by HB 2058 and SB 811, allows licensed third-party delivery providers like DoorDash and Uber Eats to deliver wine, beer, and cocktails. This law maintains the same public safety protections as before, including those related to packaging and labelling.
Alcohol Delivery Requirements
Alcoholic beverages must be served in a closed container provided by the licensee, marked with the phrase "contains alcoholic beverages". The container should not have straws, sipping holes, or other openings. It should be sealed to indicate any potential tampering.
Happy Hour Pricing
Happy hour pricing applies to delivery orders, but no discounts are permitted after 9 pm. Mixed beverage licensees may offer different pricing for "to-go" cocktails, but the discount must not entice illegal actions like intoxication or underage consumption, and it must not be below cost.
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Human trafficking training
As of July 1, 2025, five new laws impacting the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) and its licensees went into effect. One of these new laws, HB 2033, addresses human trafficking training.
HB 2033 requires the Virginia ABC to include a human trafficking training module in its Responsible Sellers & Servers: Virginia's Program (RSVP) training program. This module is to be created by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. The online course on human trafficking will be offered to retail licensees and their employees for training purposes. While this law does not directly involve alcohol, it does involve the Virginia ABC and its Bureau of Law Enforcement.
The Virginia ABC's Bureau of Law Enforcement conducts an underage buyer program focused on alcohol and tobacco retailers. With the implementation of HB 2033, the Bureau of Law Enforcement will now also contribute to a working group aimed at addressing the enforcement of underage sales of tobacco, liquid nicotine, and hemp products. This working group will be a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies and programs working together to prevent underage access to harmful substances.
The inclusion of human trafficking training in the Virginia ABC's training program demonstrates a recognition of the importance of addressing this issue within the context of the beverage alcohol industry. By providing this training to licensees and their employees, there is an opportunity to raise awareness, promote vigilance, and potentially save lives. While the primary focus of the Virginia ABC is on regulating the sale and consumption of alcohol, the inclusion of human trafficking training highlights a broader commitment to public safety and social responsibility.
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Underage tobacco and hemp sales
On July 1, 2025, several new laws impacting the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) came into effect. One of these new laws addressed underage tobacco and hemp sales.
HB 1946 and SB 1060 created a working group to address the enforcement of underage sales of tobacco, liquid nicotine, and hemp products. This working group includes the Virginia ABC's Bureau of Law Enforcement, which already conducts an underage buyer program focused on alcohol and tobacco retailers.
The new law aims to strengthen the enforcement of existing regulations prohibiting the sale of tobacco, liquid nicotine, and hemp products to minors. It is a response to the growing concern over the increasing accessibility of these products to underage individuals.
The working group will likely develop strategies to improve compliance among retailers, enhance monitoring and enforcement efforts, and raise awareness about the dangers of underage tobacco and hemp use. Additionally, the group may propose amendments to existing laws or introduce new legislation to further deter and penalize retailers who engage in underage sales.
The formation of this working group demonstrates Virginia's commitment to protecting its youth from the harmful effects of tobacco, nicotine, and hemp products. By involving the Bureau of Law Enforcement, the state underscores the seriousness of this issue and aims to ensure that retailers comply with the law to create a safer and healthier environment for Virginia's younger generation.
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Tied house exceptions
The Tied House Exceptions refer to HB 1703 and SB 834, which clarify an existing statutory exception. This new law allows manufacturers, bottlers, or wholesalers to obtain a retail license. However, it is important to note that these manufacturers, bottlers, or wholesalers must not sell or furnish alcoholic beverages or other merchandise to the retail licensee. This law does not change the requirements for alcohol manufacturers, bottlers, or wholesalers. Instead, it clarifies the language within the existing statute to make the current requirements clearer.
In the context of Virginia's alcohol laws, the Tied House Exceptions are significant because they provide a clear framework for manufacturers, bottlers, and wholesalers to obtain retail licenses. This allows them to expand their business operations and potentially increase their revenue streams. By obtaining a retail license, they can sell their products directly to consumers, which can enhance their profitability and market reach.
Additionally, the Tied House Exceptions promote fair competition in the alcohol industry. By allowing manufacturers, bottlers, and wholesalers to obtain retail licenses, the law creates a level playing field for all businesses in the industry. This can encourage innovation, improve product offerings, and ultimately benefit consumers by providing them with more choices and potentially lower prices.
Furthermore, the Tied House Exceptions can also have economic implications for Virginia. By facilitating the entry of manufacturers, bottlers, and wholesalers into the retail market, the law can stimulate economic growth and development in the state. Increased business activity and tax revenues from these additional sales can positively impact Virginia's economy and potentially create more job opportunities for its residents.
Overall, the Tied House Exceptions are an important component of Virginia's alcohol laws, as they provide clarity, promote fair competition, and offer economic opportunities for businesses and the state alike. These exceptions showcase the state's commitment to supporting the alcohol industry while also maintaining a regulatory framework that prioritizes public safety and responsible selling practices.
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Frequently asked questions
As of July 1, 2025, five new laws impacting the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) went into effect. Here are the key points:
Yes, cocktails-to-go have been made permanent in Virginia. HB 2058 and SB 811 removed the pending sunset for the delivery of wine, beer, and cocktails-to-go by licensed third-party providers such as DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Yes, SB 868 allows mixed beverage licensees to serve the entire contents of a canned cocktail to a single patron. The container must be 16 ounces or less, and the cocktail must be 15% alcohol by volume or less.
Yes, HB 2033 requires Virginia ABC to include a human trafficking training module in its Responsible Sellers & Servers: Virginia's Program (RSVP) training program.
HB 1946 and SB 1060 created a working group to address the enforcement of underage sales of tobacco, liquid nicotine, and hemp products. The Virginia ABC's Bureau of Law Enforcement will contribute to this group, focusing on alcohol and tobacco retailers.
HB 1703 and SB 834 clarified that a manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler can obtain a retail license if they do not sell or furnish alcoholic beverages or other merchandise to the retail licensee.
