Definitions.  Restaurant means any establishment provided with special space and accommodations where, in consideration of payment, food, without lodgings, is habitually furnished to the public, not including drug stores and soda fountains.  Tavern means any establishment with special space and accommodation for sale by the glass and for consumption on the premises, of beer.
 
Liquor Licenses.  Businesses dealing with the importation, manufacture, distribution, or sale of alcohol in Washington must have a liquor license.  The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) issues liquor licenses in the state.  There are liquor licenses for both retail and non-retail businesses.  Liquor licenses for retail businesses include grocery stores, nightclubs, taverns, and restaurants.  Certain liquor licenses exist and allow the following:

• a restaurant to sell beer and wine for on-premises consumption in conjunction with food sales, either on tap or in opened bottles or cans;
• a restaurant to sell spirits, beer, and wine by the individual glass for on-premises consumption under specific conditions; and

• a tavern to sell beer and wine for on-premises consumption, either on tap or in opened bottles or cans.

Endorsements.  Endorsements are additions to a liquor license and change the normal circumstances under which alcohol may be sold and served.  Each type of endorsement is subject to specific regulations and conditions.  Certain endorsements exist and allow the following:

• a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant to sell wine by the unopened bottle for off-premises consumption;
• a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant to sell tap beer for off-premises consumption in kegs or other containers capable of holding four or more gallons; and
• a beer and wine restaurant or tavern to sell beer, wine, and cider for off-premises consumption in original containers.

Spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees may sell closed, manufacturer-sealed, bottles or cans of beer, wine, and spirits, when sold in combination with the sale of to-go food, or by delivery.  All sales of liquor must be accompanied by food.
 
Spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees, beer and wine restaurant licensees, and tavern licensees may sell beer and wine for curbside service under the following conditions:

• beer must be in growlers, kegs, or factory-sealed bottles and cans; and
• wine must be in factory-sealed bottles.

 
Spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees, beer and wine restaurant licensees, and tavern licensees may also sell beer and wine for delivery under the following conditions:

• delivery of beer may include non-factory-sealed cider crowlers, jugs, or other similar, non-factory-sealed containers, or in factory-sealed bottles, cans, or kegs holding four or more gallons;
• delivery of malt liquor in kegs larger than four gallons is allowed if factory-sealed and other requirements are followed; and
• wine must be in factory-sealed bottles.

 
Spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees may also sell the following:

• spirits for curbside service or delivery in factory-sealed bottles;
• cocktails to-go, if the cocktail is accompanied by a complete meal, prepared on the restaurant's premises; correctly packaged; delivered to the purchaser's trunk or beyond immediate reach; delivered by an appropriate employee, based on age and permit; and delivered to a purchaser verified to be at least 21-years old. 

In addition to the requirements for to-go cocktails, the licensee must post a warning that puts consumers on notice of state open container laws.