CITY OF LAS VEGAS APPROVES COCKTAILS-TO-GO: WHAT RESTAURANTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BILL 2026-2

he City of Las Vegas is officially opening the door to “cocktails-to-go.” At its September 2, 2026 meeting, the City Council adopted Bill No. 2026-29, which amends Chapter 6.50 of the Las Vegas Municipal Code (“LVMC”) to allow restaurants that are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption to apply for an endorsement to sell mixed cocktails, beer, and wine as a to-go item, provided those beverages are sold in connection with a meal and packaged in sealed, tamper-evident containers or in the original manufacturer-sealed container.

Saltzman Mugan Dushoff shareholder Ryan Saxe recently discussed these new rules with local news. https://lnkd.in/p/gcfHtJAT

Sponsored by Councilman Brian Knudsen, the ordinance gives qualifying Las Vegas restaurants a new revenue channel that many operators have sought since the pandemic. The new ordinance is the City’s implementation of Nevada Assembly Bill 375 (“AB 375”), which the Legislature adopted in 2025. Rather than introduce an entirely new provision of the LVMC, the City has folded cocktails-to-go into its existing LVMC Chapter 6.50 framework under provisions covering alcohol deliveries.

How Nevada AB 375 and LVMC Chapter 6.50 Work Together

Restaurants that wish to take advantage of the new rules should understand the conditions attached to the endorsement. Under AB 375 and the City’s ordinance framework, key requirements include: (1) all alcoholic beverages sold to-go must be sold in connection with a meal and provided in sealed, tamper-evident containers; (2) a maximum 50-cent surcharge applies to each alcoholic beverage sold for off-premises consumption, with proceeds directed to DUI intervention and prevention programs; (3) where beverages are delivered, delivery personnel must be properly trained and customers must provide proof of age through valid identification upon delivery; and (4) the restaurant must adopt a delivery policy meeting the codified requirements. Restaurants that partner with third-party delivery services must also ensure those services are properly licensed as delivery support services under Nevada law.

Cocktails-to-Go Endorsement Requirements for Nevada Liquor License Holders

For Las Vegas restaurants, Bill 2026-29 represents a meaningful expansion of a licensee’s service and revenue potential; however, it also introduces new compliance obligations for licensee’s to be aware of. Before adding cocktails-to-go, it is important to confirm that your license qualifies, apply for the appropriate endorsement, and put compliant packaging, sale, and delivery procedures in place.

Next Steps for Las Vegas Restaurants Adding Cocktails-to-Go

If you have questions about qualifying for the to-go endorsement, the AB 375 local authorization framework, or Nevada liquor license compliance generally, the attorneys at Saltzman Mugan Dushoff can help.

DISCLAIMER: This blog post is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The regulatory landscape surrounding Nevada’s cocktails-to-go law is actively evolving as local jurisdictions, including the City of Las Vegas, implement their own ordinances. The information contained herein reflects the state of the law as of the date of publication and is subject to change. Restaurants and other food service businesses should consult with a qualified Nevada liquor licensing attorney before making operational or compliance decisions based on this information.