Doorbells might just be the new bar taps — why hit the town when happy hour can come to you?
In 2024, the number of US liquor stores available to sell alcohol through DoorDash Marketplace grew by 50%. And according to the 2025 DoorDash Delivery Trends Report, 42% of consumers are ordering alcohol delivery more often than they did last year — keeping the drinks flowing for cozy nights in, game days, and parties.
With built-in compliance, marketing tools, and access to millions of consumers, partnering with DoorDash for alcohol delivery services makes it easy, legal, and profitable to offer alcohol. Here's how.
How alcohol delivery services work on DoorDash today
DoorDash helps alcohol sellers — including liquor stores, restaurants, bars, pubs, wineries, and breweries — connect with customers seeking beer, wine, and spirits on demand.
Alcohol delivery is available in 31 US states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.* Here's how it works:
Sign up for DoorDash. Our team of specialists will reach out to verify your retail alcohol permit and get you set up as an alcohol delivery partner.
Receive and fulfill orders. Customers can browse your store or restaurant on DoorDash and place orders. Your team then prepares orders for same-day delivery or pickup.
Maintain compliance. DoorDash has invested heavily in building an industry-leading compliance product, including age verification. For instance, at the point of delivery, Dashers are prompted through a 4-step compliance process that includes ID verification through the DoorDash app.
Additionally, alcohol retailers can offer delivery through DoorDash Drive On-Demand — a solution that enables delivery from orders placed through your own app or website, seamlessly connecting to DoorDash's network of Dashers.
"If you're considering signing up for convenience and alcohol delivery with DoorDash, do it. DoorDash brings you new customers from outside your regulars, and it’s extra revenue for your business."
Selling alcohol with DoorDash: How to get started
Whether you're a wine shop seeking a reliable delivery service or a restaurant looking to increase delivery ticket sizes, DoorDash has you covered. Here's how easy it is to start selling alcohol through DoorDash:
Check your business eligibility. Confirm that your state and local licenses permit third-party alcohol delivery.
Set up your alcohol menu. If your business is eligible and once approved by DoorDash, you can add alcohol offerings to your DoorDash menu complete with photos, descriptions, and prices. Consumers of legal drinking age can then browse and purchase through the DoorDash app or website, or your own site with Online Ordering or Drive On-Demand.
When an order is delivered, you'll receive a confirmation via your tablet or POS, so you can easily track successful deliveries.
Alcohol delivery compliance & safety: What merchants need to know
DoorDash is committed to supporting safe and compliant alcohol delivery, starting with clear safeguards that protect both merchants and consumers:
Robust ID verification: Before checkout, consumers are required to confirm they are of legal drinking age. At the point of delivery, Dashers use the DoorDash Dasher App's built-in ID scanner to verify the recipient's age, helping to ensure compliance with local laws.
Intoxication check: Dashers are required by law to refuse delivery to any consumer who appears to be intoxicated.
With these tools and safeguards, DoorDash empowers merchants to deliver alcohol while helping them to stay compliant, and seamlessly tap into this growing consumer demand.
Trends & tips to boost your alcohol delivery sales
Consumers seeking alcohol delivery services expect more than just beer and wine — they want curated selections, convenience, and great deals. Here's how you can meet that demand and grow your alcohol sales on DoorDash.
2025 alcohol trends
In 2025, consumers are making alcohol delivery a regular part of their routine. According to the 2025 DoorDash Delivery Trends Report, 42% of survey respondents are ordering alcohol for delivery more often now than they did in 2024, and 49% prefer doing it via third-party apps like DoorDash.
The same report revealed that alcohol delivery services complement a number of occasions, including regular nights at home (40%), watching sports (39%), holiday celebrations (38%), hosting parties (34%), and romantic evenings (32%).
And it's not just alcohol. 80% of people who use alcohol delivery purchased low- or non-alcoholic drinks in the past six months — more than double the rate from last year. Yet, 32% of consumers say there aren't enough non-alcoholic drink options available on restaurant or delivery menus. This presents a valuable opportunity to diversify your menu with creative mocktails and alcohol-free alternatives and cater to a broader range of consumer preferences.
Promotions that drive sales
Boosting alcohol delivery sales isn't just about what you offer — it's also about how you market it. Here are three proven promotional strategies to help drive more alcohol delivery orders:
Happy hour bundles. Recreate the in-person happy hour experience with limited-time bundles that pair popular alcoholic beverages with snacks, mixers, or small plates. DoorDash's Happy Hour Discount lets restaurants offer customers at least 25% off orders daily between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. According to internal DoorDash data, restaurants running a 30% off Happy Hour promotion can see sales increase by over 15%.
First-order discounts. Entice new customers by offering incentives like a $0 delivery fee or 25% off their first order. These promotions are a two-for-one deal: they lower the barrier for first-time buyers and increase the chances of turning them into loyal regulars.
DashPass participation. Increase sales by tapping into DashPass subscribers. These consumers order more frequently and place larger orders compared to non-subscribers. On average, businesses that participate in DashPass experience at least a 30% increase in take-home revenue after one year.
That being said, make sure to understand your local law as to whether you’re allowed to run alcohol promotions.
How merchants have found success with alcohol delivery
Many merchants have successfully grown their business by selling alcohol through DoorDash, and LA Liquors in Washington, DC, is a standout example.
With the goal of broadening their customer base, this Black women-owned liquor store has seen impressive results by selling alcohol through DoorDash Marketplace. From 2022 to 2023, LA Liquors nearly doubled their sales, with total DoorDash orders increasing by 219%. Leveraging tools like Sponsored Listings and Promotions, they gained nearly 2,000 new customers and generated an average of over $15,000 in monthly sales.
"The main thing is that DoorDash helps bring us revenue, but it doesn't take away from all the other things we're doing to bring in revenue. DoorDash is self-sufficient, which enables us to spread our attention in other ways."
Consumer interest in alcohol delivery services continues to grow, and DoorDash makes it easy to meet that demand. With built-in compliance tools, powerful promotional features, and access to a large consumer base, now is the perfect time to tap into a high-impact revenue stream.
Get started with alcohol delivery on DoorDash today.
*Must be 21+ to order alcohol. Drink responsibly. Availability of alcohol delivery for restaurants varies by local state and provincial regulations.
