Henderson considers allowing restaurants to sell alcohol to go, for delivery

Henderson is evaluating a proposal that would permit restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages for takeaway and delivery. On Tuesday, representatives from the Las Vegas Distillery, the Nevada Restaurant Association and the Henderson Chamber of Commerce urged the City Council to consider the measure. Among them were distillery owner Robert Saucier and association official Peter Saba. The push follows Governor Joe Lombardo’s signing of Assembly Bill 375 last year, which authorizes local governments to establish rules for restaurants to sell and deliver sealed alcoholic beverages for off‑site consumption. Saba told council members that allowing takeaway alcohol would provide meaningful relief to struggling establishments. In his written testimony he noted that Henderson restaurateurs could see as much as $28 million in additional gross revenue each year, translating into roughly $2.3 million in new income taxes and an estimated $1.9 million annually in tips for servers and delivery drivers. He warned, “Local and tourist favorites are closing each week. Locations that survived the 2008 recession and the COVID shutdowns are now reaching a boiling point as already thin net margins continue to shrink. Many are concluding they can no longer survive.” The Council voted 4‑0 to adopt a business impact statement, a prerequisite under state law before a governing body enacts changes that could impose a “direct and significant economic burden on businesses,” according to the city’s website. The draft ordinance could be taken up for adoption as early as the City Council’s Oct. 6 meeting. As currently written, the proposed ordinance would revise alcohol definitions and licensing fees, create new license categories and set rules for restaurants, bars, brew pubs and grocery stores. It would also clarify provisions concerning alcohol storage, open containers and self‑service of beer and wine. The city’s impact statement said the changes aim to bring Henderson’s regulations into line with national industry practices. Mike Cathcart, the city’s business operations manager, remarked at the meeting that the provisions authorized by AB 375 are not yet reflected in the draft ordinance but could be incorporated before the statement comes to a vote. He added, “We will go back as staff present and add that provision, if that is the wish of council. And it will be part of the draft when we bring it forward.” A Henderson spokesperson said in a Wednesday statement that the city would consider inserting language consistent with AB 375 into the draft ordinance. In related action, the Las Vegas City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on Sept. 2 that permits restaurants with liquor licenses to sell alcoholic beverages to go. The rule requires the drinks to be ordered with a meal and sold in sealed containers. Saucier told Tuesday’s gathering that Henderson should not follow Las Vegas’ approach of mandating a food purchase with to‑go alcohol sales. He said, “That was never contemplated in Carson City when the bill was passed and I don’t think it’s necessary.” Saucier also noted that numerous states have adopted to‑go alcohol rules to help curb drunken driving, adding, “If people are at home and they want to consume alcohol, it’s better for them to receive their alcohol at home versus get in their car, go to an establishment, drink, and then drive.”