DoorDash for alcohol? Not yet in Pennsylvania

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(The Center Square) – In 37 states, same-day delivery drivers working for companies like DoorDash and Instacart can bring alcohol to customers’ doorsteps.

Pennsylvania is not one of them, but that could change soon with a bill under consideration in the state House Liquor Control Committee.

“It is working in those states,” said Tom Kerr, general counsel for the Adult Beverage Alliance. “So, this bill provides the benefit of years of experience in working on similar legislation and gives Pennsylvania businesses an opportunity to benefit from a mature industry that is now operating, again, in more than 30 states.”

And in those states, smaller businesses have benefited the most, with sales rising 40% year over year, according to Alex Mooney who spoke on behalf of DoorDash during a committee hearing on Wednesday. Overall, alcohol deliveries on the app climbed 55% in 2025.

“It’s become an amazing revenue lever for small and medium-sized merchants in particular, particularly in this age where more consumers are expecting to have everything delivered,” he said.

About 500 different businesses have licenses to deliver beer and wine across the state. From wholesale distributors to retailers like Sheetz, the possibility has existed for years, though strict limitations exist.

The legislation in question would create another license category that gives “transporter-for-hire” companies permission to drop off wine, beer and canned cocktails through same-day delivery apps.

The convenience, although craved, leaves Pennsylvania authorities and regulators worried about unintended consequences. Robert Bailey, bureau director for Liquor Control Enforcement, said underage customers could have easier access to alcohol, even with identification-scanning technology. Sophisticated counterfeits and less pressure to match a customer’s physical appearance to the photo ID itself undermine safeguards.

“Compliance depends on whether delivery personnel, using the service of such licenses, follow through and exercise due diligence,” he said.

The legislation fines violators between $1,000 and $5,000, with second offenses ranging as high as $7,000. Bailey said it’s a good deterrent, but still the state lacks any ability to stop bad actors from continuing to serve customers.