Millions of people have come to rely on Doordash Marketplace for its convenient food delivery services, and with the great variety of merchant options available on the app, this is less than surprising.
While customers can see clearly on the app that they are able to Doordash any meal of the day (yes, DoorDash delivers ice cream), there still may be a few questions about the company’s limits.
But does DoorDash deliver alcohol?
Alcohol regulations can be tricky to navigate, especially given that a person has to have valid proof that they are meet the legal age requirements in order to purchase alcoholic beverages.
So, how does Doordash go about the sale and delivery of alcohol?
Read on to learn the ins and outs of the alcohol delivery option on the Doordash app or website.
Does Doordash Deliver Alcohol?
Yes, Doordash does deliver alcohol.
Of course, there are rules and regulations set into place to ensure that the delivery is both responsible and safe.
Some of these regulations include:
- Both the buyer and the delivery driver must be 21 years of age with valid identification
- The customer must not be exhibiting signs of intoxication
- Couriers may not deliver alcohol to education institutions of any kind, state grounds, storage facilities, or liquor stores
So long as the courier and customer meet each of those requirements, Doordash will be able to deliver the alcohol.
Related: Does Uber Eats deliver alcohol?
Is Doordash Still Delivering Alcohol During the Pandemic?
Yes, Doordash is still delivering alcohol during the pandemic.
As a matter of fact, the pandemic is part of the reasonthat Doordash has been able to expand to the sale and delivery of non-food items on the app.
The pandemic meant that it was both safer and more convenient for customers to be able to purchase alcohol from the comfort of their own homes, and with United States laws concerning alcohol sales beginning to loosen, Doordash was able to take advantage.
Where Is Alcohol Available on Doordash?
Upon clicking the “Alcohol” tab on Doordash, users will be able to order alcohol from a range of locations.
The following is a list of places from which alcohol may be available on Doordash:
- Restaurant
- Grocery store
- Convenience store
- Liquor store
- Total wine
- Any local retailer
All of Doordash’s requirements for alcohol delivery involving legal identification and restricted delivery areas still apply, no matter what type of establishment the alcohol is coming from.
How Do I Order Alcohol on Doordash?
Ordering alcohol on Doordash is a fairly straightforward process, and it involves the same steps whether the customer is using the app or the website.
In both cases, the usual delivery fee will apply.
Order Using Its App
To order alcohol using the Doordash app, simply click the alcohol tab on the menu at the top of the screen to see all of the available alcohol offerings for delivery.
To check out, follow the prompts on the screen as usual, and make sure to have identification on hand for when the Doordash courier arrives.
The app will remind you of this with an alcohol warning upon checking out.
Order Using Its Website
To order alcohol using the Doordash website, simply click the alcohol tab on the menu at the top of the webpage to see all of the available options for delivery.
To check out, follow the prompts on the screen as usual, and make sure to have identification on hand for when the Doordash courier arrives.
The website will remind you of this with an alcohol warning upon checking out.
Does Doordash Scan Your ID for Alcohol?
Doordash will scan your ID for alcohol.
The courier will need to scan your legal identification in person upon delivering the beverages to verify both your age and identity.
The following are acceptable forms of identification:
- A government-issued driver’s license
- A valid passport
- An Armed Forces identification, so long as it lists a name, photograph, and date of birth.
It is important to note that IDNYC is not a valid form of identification to purchase alcohol in New York State, and thus customers cannot use it to purchase alcohol on Doordash.
Additionally, Doordash ensures that couriers know how to spot any form of fake identification.
In some cases, Doordash customers will already have uploaded a form of identification to the app, in which case all that a courier has to do is verify that the person picking up the alcohol is the same person that is pictured on their app.
Regardless of whether or not a valid ID demonstrates that an individual is over the legal drinking age of 21, the courier will still be unable to hand over the alcohol if the customer exhibits physical or behavioral signs of intoxication.
This is to ensure that the compliant alcohol delivery does not result in destructive decisions.
How Does Selling Alcohol on Doordash Work?
Finding an Alcohol Delivery Partner
For merchants who express interest in selling alcohol on Doordash through their establishment, there are a few steps that they must take to do so.
Firstly, a business should sign up for Doordash and follow all of the prompts that the process entails.
For businesses who sell alcohol, this includes uploading a retail alcohol permit.
Once the team of specialists at Doordash verify the legitimacy of the retail alcohol permit, they will reach out to the merchant to set them up as an alcohol delivery partner for Doordash.
How Alcohol Delivery Works for Restaurants
For restaurants that Doordash has approved as an alcohol delivery partner, customers will place orders on the app or the website, and upon ordering alcohol, both the courier and the customer will receive a notification that this is an alcohol order.
All that a restaurant has to do is package the alcoholic drinks for delivery, alongside any other food items that the customer orders, if necessary.
The courier will verify the customer’s age via identification upon delivery.
How Alcohol Delivery Works for Alcohol Shops
Once Doordash approves an alcohol shop to be a delivery partner, all that they will need to do is package the alcoholic beverages for customers who place orders on the app or website.
Both the courier and the customer will receive a notification that this is an alcohol order.
After the alcohol shop packages the beverage and hands it off to the courier for delivery, the courier will verify the customer’s age via identification upon delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Doordash deliver cigarettes?
No, Doordash cigarettes are not available for delivery on the Doordash app or website.
This is not just limited to cigarettes.
It includes all items that contain tobacco, as well as related products such as vape pens and JUULS.
What other delivery apps deliver alcohol as Doordash does?
There is more than one delivery app that delivers alcohol as Doordash does, such as the alcohol delivery service Drizly.
Some of these apps include:
- Drizly
- Postmates
- Grubhub
- GoPuff
- Minibar Delivery
- Instacart
- Uber Eats
- Saucey (New York City)
- Cheers on Demand (San Francisco)
Wrapping Up
Alcohol delivery is a very convenient advancement in food-delivery technology, whether you are located in New York City and looking for a relaxing night with your friends, or San Diego/Southern California and in the market for a delectable bottle of wine.
In these unprecedented times, especially, it is important for many people to not leave the house unless they absolutely need to.
So, the fact that Doordash can deliver alcohol is very reassuring, and even more so due to the fact that it is done in a safe and responsible manner.
The simple process on any interface makes the experience all the more enjoyable for customers, and the accessibility of this sort of accommodation is becoming more and more accessible as more apps and delivery services join Doordash in delivering wine, beer, and liquor.