Utah Liquor Laws Explained: What Not To Do When Ordering a Drink in Utah

A recent loosening of Utah’s notorious liquor laws has made getting a drink in Utah easier than ever.  Club memberships are no longer required to enter a Utah bar, but that doesn’t mean all of Utah’s quirky laws have vanished.  Here are some common faux pas when looking for an alcoholic beverage in Utah.

Order a Bloody Mary Before Noon

Mixed drinks and wine may be ordered in restaurants from noon to 1am only.  Only 3.2% beer can be ordered before noon (but not before 10am).

Look for Wine or Liquor in a Grocery Store

Wine, liquor, and heavy beer (greater than 3.2%) can only be purchased in state run liquor stores.  Liquor stores are typically open from noon to 7pm with limited locations open until 10pm.  Liquor stores are closed Sundays and all state and federal holidays.

Order a Sidecar Alongside Your Mixed Drink

Utah law requires the use of metered dispensing systems for serving liquor.  That used to mean that any liquor drink in Utah had only 1 ounce of liquor and you could circumvent the law by ordering a sidecar.  A few years back, the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (DABC) raised the amount of primary liquor in a drink to not more than 1.5 ounces and outlawed the sidecar.  Secondary alcoholic flavorings can be added to a drink as long as you don’t exceed 2.5 ounces of liquor.  And yes, that means ordering a Long Island in Utah will get you laughed at.

Ask for a Glass of Wine at a Restaurant Without Ordering Food

In restaurants with a full-liquor license, liquor, wine, and beer can be served to guests if and only if they are dining in the restaurant.  That means that you must have the intention of eating before the restaurant will serve you a drink.  The law here is a bit murky but if you would like to enjoy a glass of wine without necessarily ordering food choose a club rather than a restaurant bar.

Purchase a Round of Shots to Take Back To Your Table

A bartender can only give so much booze to one person, so they will require that each person come up to the bar to get their own drink.

Still questions?  Just ask your bartender or server – they are used to explaining Utah’s ever-changing and sometime absurd liquor laws.

[Photo courtesy of Don Nunn]