Can You Get Booze Delivered During the Time of Coronavirus?

Welcome to Ask Eater, a column from Eater SF where the site’s editors answer specific or baffling restaurant requests from readers and friends. Have a question for us? Submit your question in this form.

Dear Eater SF,

I know many restaurants are offering takeout and delivery. But can you also get wine, beer, and cocktails? How does that work, exactly?

Sincerely,
Everyone

Readers, we’re so glad you asked. It’s going to be a long three weeks. There’s a lot to worry about these days. And while access to booze certainly isn’t anywhere near the top of the list, a glass of chardonnay can go a long way at the end of the day. So if that quarantined bitter beer is going to help keep you sane, dodge divorce, or avoid disowning your children, we are here for you in this time of need. Here’s what’s up with booze delivery in San Francisco during the time of coronavirus.

In general, there are many types of liquor licenses for wine, beer, and spirits. Restaurants can get an addendum to their usual license to be able to sell wine and beer for takeout. The delivery apps can also piggyback on those addendums, which is how they’re able to sometimes offer a few wine and beer options, along with normal menu items. All of those have to be in closed containers, meaning bottles and cans.

Unfortunately, in San Francisco right now, restaurants can’t offer spirits for takeout or delivery. That said, as of Tuesday morning, New York just made it legal for bars and restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages, including cocktails, for off-premises consumption. So while you can’t get a margarita or a mai tai in a to-go cup just yet here in the Bay, hope springs eternal.

Here are a few highlights of hardworking restaurants that currently include wine and beer for takeout and delivery. But also keep an eye our running list of spots, and check out their specific menus, which may well have booze, too.

The Morris is not only boxing up its legendary duck and walking it out for curbside pickup, the team is also offering up their long list of lovely wines. Customers can even consult the somm via email.

At Wayfare Tavern, celeb chef Tyler Florence is packing up the comforting deviled eggs and buttermilk fried chicken for takeout and delivery. And he’s also acquired a food truck, which will be driving around town, so he can drop wine and beer right at diners’ doorsteps.

Che Fico Alimentari, Che Fico’s pasta-centric little sister, is offering the full menu for takeout, and planning to launch delivery shortly, and that absolutely includes that big list of bold reds. In cacio e pepe and nebbiolo we trust.

A16 has always been known for its award-winning list of Italian wines. The restaurant is currently walking its pillowy pizzas out for curbside pickup, and oh yes, you can get a bottle of vino with that.

China Live is offering 20 percent off for pickup, in addition to delivery via Caviar. With your order of crispy-bottomed SJB dumplings, you can get a bottle of sancerre or gamay.

Mexican favorite Nopalito is doing family-style meal kits for pickup at the Broderick location only. Along with their incredible carnitas and chicken tinga, customers can add on a bottle of red or white for only $25 — or better yet, a six-pack of Tecate.

Cellarmaker House of Pizza has a reputation for hopped up IPAs, along with Detroit-style square pies. At the Mission location only, fans can get beer in cans and growlers to go.

Monk’s Kettle, the beer tavern in the Mission, has opened a pickup window at the front of the restaurant, and is offering its impressive list of bottled beer, canned beer, and wine by the bottle. Wine and beer are also available for delivery through Caviar, along with fried chicken sandwiches and pretzel knots.