UPDATE 7/23/20: The New York State Liquore Authority has posted a Q&A on the Food Requirement with Alcoholic Beverage Purchase Guidance: https://sla.ny.gov/guidance-requirement-licensees-premises-service-privileges-serve-food-alcoholic-beverages
Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced new regulations for bars and restaurants in New York to ensure they are complying with state social distancing and face covering orders. All restaurants and bars statewide will be subject to new requirements that they must only serve alcohol to people who are ordering and eating food and that all service at bar tops must only be for seated patrons who are socially distanced by six feet or separated by physical barriers. Under current law, only establishments that serve food are permitted to serve alcoholic beverages.