Buying Beer On Sundays In Utah County: Is It Possible?

Utah has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the United States. The state's liquor laws are based on the philosophy of making alcoholic beverages available in a way that satisfies public demand without promoting or encouraging alcohol consumption. So, can you buy beer on a Sunday in Utah County? The answer is yes, but there are some things you should know.

State-run liquor stores are closed on Sundays and holidays

While you can buy beer in Utah on Sundays and holidays, it's not quite that simple when it comes to state-run liquor stores. These are closed on Sundays and holidays, so you won't be able to get your hands on wine, liquor, or stronger beers and ciders at these outlets on those days.

State-run liquor stores are the only places to buy wine, liquor, and beer over 5% ABV in Utah. So, if you're after something stronger than a 5% beer on a Sunday or holiday, you'll need to get creative. Luckily, there are a few options. Firstly, you can head to a distillery, as Utah-based distillers can legally sell their products directly to consumers 365 days a year. A few options in the Salt Lake County area include Eight Settlers Distillery in Cottonwood Heights and Beehive Distillery in South Salt Lake. Alternatively, you can try a brewery, as brewers may also sell their products to the public on Sundays and holidays if they choose to do so. Grid City Beer Works and Desert Edge Brewery are a couple of breweries that offer beer to go seven days a week.

If you're happy to settle for a 5% ABV beer, you're in luck, as these are available at grocery and convenience stores, which are generally open on Sundays and holidays. You can also head to a bar or restaurant, as these are typically open on Sundays and holidays, and can serve alcohol on these days too. However, if you go to a restaurant, remember that you'll need to order food with your drink.

Finally, if you're willing to cross state lines, you can always stock up on liquor in Nevada, Wyoming, or Idaho, as it's legal to bring up to nine liters of liquor into Utah for personal consumption.

Utah-based distillers can sell their products directly to consumers 365 days a year

Buying Alcohol in Utah

Utah has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the US. The state has a monopoly over the wholesale and retail of some or all categories of alcoholic beverages. The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS) has regulated the sale of alcoholic beverages since 1935, two years after the end of Prohibition.

Buying Alcohol on Sundays

While most restaurants and bars are open on Sundays, and grocery and convenience stores are generally open too, state-run liquor stores are closed. However, Utah-based distillers can sell their products directly to consumers 365 days a year.

• Eight Settlers Distillery in Salt Lake County offers a range of liquors, including vodka, gin, and bourbon, as well as bar tending gear, at their bottle shop.
• High West Distillery in Summit County offers award-winning whiskies and vodkas.
• Alpine Distilling in Park City has a to-go option for their distilled products.
• Beehive Distilling in South Salt Lake crafts gins and vodka and sells their products during the same hours as their onsite bar.

Alcohol Availability in Utah

Beer, liquor, and wine can be ordered in a restaurant from 11:30 am to 1 am, but as the establishment is licensed as a restaurant, these drinks must be ordered with food. Taverns, breweries, and bars are allowed to sell alcohol during the same hours as restaurants, but do not require patrons to order food.

Beer over 4% by weight (5% ABV) is available in state liquor stores and package agencies, and at clubs and restaurants licensed to sell liquor. Grocery and convenience stores sell beer and similar products like hard seltzers up to 5% ABV. Wine is not available in grocery stores and can only be bought at authorized state stores.

Alcohol Service in Utah

Utah has strict laws regarding the service of alcohol. Bars, clubs, taverns, and other establishments selling alcohol (excluding restaurants) are allowed to sell alcohol from 10 am to 1 am. Restaurants require that any alcohol be ordered along with food (though they do not have to be ordered at the same time) and can sell alcohol from 11:30 am to 1 am. Restaurant liquor licenses also require the establishment to have less than 30% of all sales be alcohol.

Blood Alcohol Content Limit

Utah has the strictest DUI law in the country, with a blood alcohol content limit of 0.05%.

Beer, liquor and wine can be ordered in restaurants from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m

In Utah, beer, liquor, and wine can be ordered in restaurants from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. However, there are some important distinctions and conditions to be aware of. Firstly, Utah law differentiates between bars and restaurants, and this distinction has a significant impact on alcohol service. Establishments licensed as bars do not require patrons to order food with their drinks, but no one under 21 is allowed on the premises. On the other hand, restaurants are allowed to admit minors, but alcoholic drinks must be ordered with food. This food does not have to be ordered at the same time as the drink, and a simple plate of fries will suffice.

The hours for alcohol service are the same for both bars and restaurants, with service allowed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. On weekends and legal holidays, alcohol service may begin earlier, at 10:30 a.m. It is worth noting that last call for alcohol is generally at 1 a.m., and bars must close by 2 a.m.

The types of alcohol that can be served also depend on the type of establishment. In bars, you can find drinks of any percentage, available in bottles, and to-go beers of all percentages. In restaurants, beer is available on draft, and higher ABV beers are served from cans or bottles. Additionally, wine can be ordered by the glass or the bottle.

When it comes to purchasing alcohol to-go, there are a few options. State-run liquor stores sell liquor, wine, and heavy beer (over 5% ABV), but they are closed on Sundays and holidays. Grocery and convenience stores offer beer, hard seltzers, and other similar products up to 5% ABV, but they do not sell wine. Breweries and distilleries are also an option, as they can sell their products directly to consumers 365 days a year.

Alcoholic drinks in restaurants must be ordered with food

Utah has strict laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol. The state controls the wholesaling and retailing of alcoholic beverages and does not promote or encourage their sale or use. Alcohol is only available in licensed restaurants, bars, banquet facilities, hotels, reception centres, airport lounges, recreational amenities, and taverns.

The legal drinking age in Utah is 21, and all adults must be prepared to show valid identification to purchase alcohol. Utah also has the strictest DUI limit in the country, with a blood alcohol content limit of 0.05%.

While Utah's liquor laws have become more relaxed in recent years, there are still some unique aspects that may be surprising to tourists. For example, in addition to ordering food with alcoholic drinks in restaurants, there used to be a requirement for restaurants to have "Zion curtains"—partitions that separate bartenders preparing drinks from customers. This requirement was abolished in 2017, but some restaurants still choose to have separate bar areas that are not accessible to anyone under 21.

Breweries, wineries and distilleries can sell their products every day of the week

While state-run liquor stores in Utah are closed on Sundays and holidays, breweries, wineries, and distilleries can sell their products every day of the week. This includes selling to-go bottles, but containers must remain closed on the premises.

For those looking to purchase wine, beer, or spirits on a Sunday or holiday, there are a few options. Firstly, grocery and convenience stores are generally open on these days and sell beer and similar products, such as hard seltzers, up to 5% ABV. Additionally, some restaurants and bars are open on Sundays and holidays, and alcoholic drinks can be purchased here.

Another option is to visit a local distillery or brewery, many of which sell their products directly to the public 365 days a year. For example, Eight Settlers Distillery in Salt Lake County has a bottle shop at the front of its business, selling a variety of liquors, including vodka, gin, and bourbon, as well as bar tending gear. High West, an award-winning distillery in Park City, also sells its fantastic whiskies and vodkas directly to the public on Sundays and holidays.

For those looking to purchase wine or cider, local craft cider makers, such as Mountain West Cider, also sell their products on Sundays and holidays. Additionally, any restaurant or bar can reseal an opened bottle of wine or cider for you to take away, as long as a portion of it has been consumed on the premises.

Finally, it is worth noting that it is legal to bring up to nine liters of liquor into Utah for personal consumption. So, if you are happy to cross the border, you can stock up on liquor on Sundays in Nevada, Wyoming, or Idaho.

Frequently asked questions