DoorDash Alcohol Delivery: Everything You Need to Know

DoorDash has made food delivery convenient. But there's a new service on the platform that's generated a lot of interest: alcohol delivery.

DoorDash's alcohol delivery service is relatively new, and there are specific rules you need to know about to access the service. Overall, though, the idea is simple: DoorDash will now deliver alcohol from restaurants, liquor stores, and other beer and wine businesses to local customers.

However, there are specific ID requirements for customers and businesses that use this service.

This guide covers everything you need to know about alcohol delivery on DoorDash, whether you're a business that wants to get started or a customer looking for more info.

What Is DoorDash?

DoorDash is one of the most popular food delivery apps, with a 57% market share in the U.S.

For businesses and customers, there are two main ways they can order alcohol for delivery on DoorDash:

DoorDash Marketplace – With Marketplace, businesses create listings on DoorDash. Then, customers order in the DoorDash app. This is a popular choice for restaurants and quick-service retailers.
DoorDash Drive – This is like on-demand delivery for online orders placed on a business's ecommerce site or app. Businesses integrate DoorDash delivery into their existing checkout. They can then facilitate local drop-offs through their site.

Through the Marketplace, customers can connect with local businesses and place orders on the DoorDash app. After an order is placed, a Dasher will pick it up from the business and deliver it to the customer's residence.

Does DoorDash Offer Alcohol Delivery?

Yes, DoorDash provides alcohol delivery services. In states where applicable (currently, it's available in about 25 states), you can place an order through the DoorDash app for alcohol delivery. The company also facilitates on-demand delivery for third-party alcohol purchases through DoorDash Drive.

However, there are some requirements for delivery, including the type of ID you can use and other requirements. They include:

Both the delivery person and buyer should be above 21 years of age
The customer must present a valid ID. (For example, an expired ID isn't valid. Valid ID types include state IDs or driver's licenses, U.S. passports, foreign passports, and military IDs.)
The customer should not exhibit signs of drunkenness. Couriers are asked to refuse service for intoxicated customers.
Couriers cannot deliver alcohol to educational institutes, storage facilities, or businesses that serve alcohol.

If the customer and courier meet these requirements, the driver will deliver the order. If not, the Dasher can refuse delivery. For example, if the driver suspects the customer is giving alcohol to a minor, they should refuse service.

Availability of Alcohol DoorDash Delivery Services by States

DoorDash has expanded its operations to about 50 states in the USA. However, only about 25 states allow alcohol delivery.

Here's a list of states that offer alcohol delivery through DoorDash Marketplace:

Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington

Note: In some of these states, DoorDash does not deliver alcohol from restaurants.

Here's a list of states that offer alcohol delivery through DoorDash Drive:

Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia

Yet, even in legal states, alcohol delivery is subject to local laws and regulations. For example, in states with stringent wet/dry county laws, delivery service is based on origin, and drivers may be limited to where they can deliver alcohol to.

Does DoorDash offer alcohol delivery in your area?

First, check the DoorDash website. They offer the most up-to-date listing of alcohol delivery states. However, customers can also check in the app:

Open the DoorDash app - Download the app to your device and open it.
Enter the address - Enter the delivery address.
Check local regulations - If alcohol delivery service is available, your favorite businesses will have alcohol options in their menus.

How to Sign Up for DoorDash Delivery Service

If alcohol delivery is available in your area, you can start the process.

To start, you should first sign up as a DoorDash partner. A DoorDash rep will contact you to check liquor selling license and verify alcohol delivery in their area.

On confirmation, retailers can create their alcohol offerings menu by attaching suitable images, prices, and product descriptions. A strong listing helps customers understand what you have available.

How DoorDash Delivery Services Works for the Liquor Industry?

On receiving approval by DoorDash as a delivery partner, the alcohol shop needs to keep alcoholic beverages ready for delivery.

Both the customer and courier will receive notification about the order. The retailer packages the ordered product and hands it to the courier delivery person. Then, the courier person will verify the customer's age by identifying their verification at the time of delivery.

Is a point-of-sale system required to avail DoorDash Delivery Services?

A POS system or high-speed internet is optional to offer delivery services. You can receive orders by email, for example.

Does DoorDash support integration with POS?

Yes, DoorDash can integrate with several point-of-sale systems. POS integration creates a medium for DoorDash to send and retrieve data from your point-of-sale system. It helps in managing incoming orders and menu updates in one single place.

What Are the Benefits of Integrating Your POS with DoorDash?

By integrating a POS system with DoorDash, business owners can simplify their routine operations in several ways:

Automatic Sync: Helps facilitate automatic menu updates from the POS system to DoorDash menu.
Less Hardware: liquor POS integration requires the use of less hardware. All your orders, from takeout to delivery, will appear in one place.
Less Human Errors: The POS system receives all orders directly from DoorDash. It removes the need to hire separate staff to manage offline orders. It reduces the chances of human error.
Monitor Performance: Store owners can review and analyze ordering trends of DoorDash from your POS system.

Time Required for POS Integration with DoorDash

If DoorDash already has an integration for your business POS or middleware system, you can get onboard in 1-2 weeks. Once the Doordash POS integration process is complete, you will receive an email.

Once integration is successful, you can receive orders from customers. If integration for your system is not available, then timelines might differ based on technical resources.

Grow Your Business with DoorDash

No Staff Required: It eliminates the need to hire a separate delivery fleet. Outsource logistics to Dashers whenever you need their assistance.
Drive Sales: Increase your chances of attracting new customers and increase your order volume by expanding delivery coverage
Decrease Delivery Costs: You only need to pay-per-delivery. There is no need to incur upfront costs, recurring fees, or surge in pricing.
Scale Delivery Operations: Benefit from Dasher's extensive network to start or scale your business delivery operations.
Encourage Customer Loyalty: To encourage repeat orders, store owners should offer customers a reliable and hassle-free delivery experience.

Key Takeaways

DoorDash is the most preferred platform in the food delivery industry. It has revolutionized the way customers order online and enjoy their favorite products at home.

Now, with alcohol delivery service, DoorDash simplifies compliance for alcohol retailers and restaurants.