Restaurants are betting on to-go alcohol as business picks back up, but experts say competing with liquor stores won't be easy [email protected] (Mary Meisenzahl) More than 30 states allowed alcohol takeout and delivery during the pandemic. Off-premise alcohol sales were a lifeline for restaurants, and many want to keep it around. Experts say restaurants have to differentiate offerings from liquor stores. Takeout and delivery alcohol sales have been a lifeline for restaurants during the past year, and the industry is hoping they'll be allowed to continue - but experts told Insider that competing with liquor stores while still turning a profit is easier said than done.