Drinking Beer In Public: Utah's Unique Alcohol Laws

Utah has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the United States. So, can you drink beer in public in the state? The short answer is no. State law prohibits consuming liquor in public places. However, there are some exceptions. For example, you can drink in licensed restaurants and bars, and at certain public or community events. Utah's liquor laws have been subject to change over the years, with recent updates making it easier to access slightly higher-percentage beer.

Drinking in public places is prohibited by state law

Utah's liquor laws are controlled by the state, which means that the state has a monopoly over the wholesaling and/or retailing of alcoholic beverages. This is in contrast to "license states", where wholesale and retail sales of distilled spirits and wine are controlled by private sellers. By keeping liquor out of the private marketplace, Utah aims to promote moderation in alcohol consumption and reduce alcohol abuse.

Utah's laws around drinking in public places include the following provisions:

• Alcohol may not be consumed in public places.
• A person may not be intoxicated in a public place to the degree that they may endanger themselves or others, or unreasonably disturb others.
• Drinking or having an open container of alcohol in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is prohibited.
• Alcoholic beverages may not be brought into an establishment that is open to the general public if they are to be consumed on the premises, with the exception of wine in licensed restaurants.
• Minors are not allowed in establishments that are licensed to sell alcohol, with the exception of restaurants.

These laws are enforced by the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS), which has regulated the sale of alcoholic beverages since 1935. The legal drinking age in Utah is 21, and valid identification is required to purchase alcohol.

You must be 21 to drink in Utah

Drinking in public is prohibited in Utah. However, if you are 21 or over, there are many places where you can legally consume alcohol.

Utah has strict liquor laws and it is illegal to drink in public places. You may not be intoxicated in a public place, to the extent that you endanger yourself or others, or unreasonably disturb others. Drinking in a vehicle or bringing your own alcoholic drinks into a bar or restaurant is also prohibited.

However, Utah has been modernising its liquor laws in recent years. The state now allows easier access to higher-percentage beer, with the permitted ABV in beers increased to 5% in 2019. This change has opened the door for a wider variety of beers to be sold in local stores.

You must be 21 or over to drink in Utah. This applies to bars, private clubs, restaurants, and everywhere else. A person must be 21 to enter a tavern, and no one under 21 is allowed in an establishment licensed as a bar.

If you are 21 or over, there are plenty of places to get a drink in Utah. Most nice restaurants have a liquor license and there are several beer taverns throughout the state. The last option is private clubs, but these require membership, sponsorship, or the purchase of a temporary guest pass.

When drinking in a restaurant in Utah, you must also order food. This does not have to be ordered at the same time as your drink, but you must show an 'intent to dine'. A plate of fries or a similar snack will suffice.

Utah's liquor laws are based on the general philosophy of making alcoholic beverages available in a manner that reasonably satisfies public demand. However, the state does not promote or encourage the sale or use of alcohol. Instead, it believes that moderation is best achieved by controlling the consumption of alcohol.

Alcoholic drinks must be served with food in restaurants

Alcohol laws in Utah are some of the most restrictive in the United States. The state has a unique set of regulations that govern the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, and these laws can be a bit confusing for visitors. One of the key things to know is that alcoholic drinks must be served with food in restaurants. Here's what you need to understand about this rule and how it fits into Utah's liquor laws:

Utah's liquor laws require that alcoholic drinks be served with food in licensed restaurants. This means that if you want to order an alcoholic beverage in a restaurant, you must also place a food order. This rule is specific to restaurants and does not apply to other types of establishments, such as bars or taverns. It's important to note that complimentary items like chips, bread, or pretzels are not considered sufficient; the food order must be purchased from the menu. This requirement is in place to ensure that alcohol is consumed responsibly and in conjunction with a meal.

The "intent to dine" law, as it is often called, is a unique aspect of Utah's liquor laws. While it may seem like an inconvenience for tourists or visitors who just want a drink, it is not as restrictive as it may first appear. A small food order, such as a plate of fries, is enough to satisfy the requirement. This law primarily affects full-service and limited-service restaurants with specific liquor licenses. These licenses dictate the types of alcoholic beverages that can be served and the hours during which they can be sold.

Utah's liquor laws differentiate between bars and restaurants, and this distinction has a significant impact on the rules surrounding alcohol service. While restaurants require food to be served with alcoholic drinks, bars and taverns do not have this mandate. As a result, many eateries choose to license themselves as bars to accommodate patrons who only want a drink. This distinction also affects the types of beverages that can be served. Restaurants typically offer a wider range of options, including beer, liquor, and wine, while bars focus primarily on beer.

The hours during which alcohol can be served also vary between restaurants and bars. In Utah, restaurants with full-service liquor licenses can serve alcoholic beverages from 11:30 a.m. to midnight or 1 a.m., depending on the day of the week. On weekends and legal holidays, alcohol service may start earlier, at 10:30 a.m. Bars, on the other hand, typically have longer hours for alcohol service, starting at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 12:59 a.m. or 1:00 a.m.

It's worth noting that Utah's liquor laws have evolved over time, with recent changes aiming to modernize and relax some of the more restrictive regulations. For example, in 2019, Utah updated its laws to allow for the sale of beer with a higher alcohol content in grocery and convenience stores. Additionally, the controversial "Zion Curtain" laws, which required partitions to separate bartenders from customers in restaurants, were reformed in 2017.

While Utah's liquor laws may seem strict, the state has been working to strike a balance between promoting responsible alcohol consumption and meeting the demands of a growing tourism industry. As a control state, Utah believes that moderation is best achieved by controlling the sale and consumption of alcohol rather than promoting or encouraging it. These laws are designed to prioritize public safety and reduce alcohol abuse.

Alcohol is not sold in grocery stores

Alcohol laws vary from state to state in the US, and Utah's are some of the most restrictive. The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS) has regulated the sale of alcoholic beverages since 1935, two years after the end of Prohibition.

Utah is one of seventeen control states, meaning it has a monopoly over the wholesaling and/or retailing of some or all categories of alcoholic beverages.

Beer, wine, and similar products like hard seltzers may be purchased at most grocery and convenience stores in Utah. However, beer is the only alcoholic beverage sold in grocery stores, and even then, it is limited to beer with an ABV of 5% or lower.

Beer with an ABV of over 5% is available in state-controlled liquor stores, along with liquor and wine. These are the only places where liquor and wine can be purchased.

The laws regarding alcohol in grocery stores are not the only unique alcohol laws in Utah. The state also has strict laws regarding drinking in public. State law prohibits consuming liquor in public places. A person may not be intoxicated in a public place to the degree that they may endanger themselves or another person, or unreasonably disturb others.

Utah also has strict laws regarding drinking in licensed establishments. Alcoholic drinks must be served in conjunction with a purchased food order. Complimentary items such as chips, bread, or pretzels are not enough. The food item must be ordered and paid for.

The state also has a unique law regarding the preparation of alcoholic drinks in restaurants. Until 2017, restaurants were required to have "Zion curtains"—partitions that separate restaurant bartenders preparing alcoholic drinks from the customers who order them. The partitions were mandated for restaurants with "Limited-Service Restaurant Licenses" and "Full-Service Restaurant Licenses". These partitions are often made of frosted glass and were required to be "solid, translucent, [and] permanent". The intention was to combat excessive drinking by keeping alcohol out of sight of restaurant patrons who choose not to consume alcohol.

While the Zion Curtain law was reformed in 2017, it was replaced with a rule that created a minimum 10-foot distance from the location where the alcoholic drinks were prepared and tables where people under the age of 21 could be seated.

Alcohol laws are influenced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Alcohol laws in Utah are influenced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to which 55% of Utah residents belong. The Church advises against the consumption of alcohol for its members in the Word of Wisdom, given in the Doctrine and Covenants. This traditional LDS teaching, along with the large population of Latter-day Saints in Utah, has resulted in strict alcohol laws in the state.

Utah's alcohol laws are among the most restrictive in the United States. The state regulates the sale of alcoholic beverages through the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS), which has been in place since 1935, two years after the end of Prohibition. Utah is also a control state, meaning the state has a monopoly over the wholesaling and retailing of alcoholic beverages.

One notable aspect of Utah's alcohol laws is the limit on alcohol content in beer sold at grocery and convenience stores, as well as establishments with a "beer only" license. These places can only sell beer with an alcohol content of up to 4.0% by weight (5% ABV). Beer with a higher alcohol content is available in state liquor stores, package agencies, clubs, and restaurants licensed to sell liquor.

The time at which alcohol can be served in commercial facilities is also restricted. Alcohol may not be sold after 1:00 a.m. under any circumstances. Additionally, there are specific hours during which alcoholic beverages can be served at bars, taverns, and restaurants, with bars and taverns allowed to serve alcohol from 10:00 a.m. to 12:59 a.m., and restaurants permitted to serve from 11:30 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on weekends.

Utah also has strict laws regarding public consumption of alcohol. It is illegal to consume liquor in public places, and individuals are not allowed to be intoxicated in public to the degree that they may endanger themselves or others, or disturb others. Additionally, open containers of alcohol are prohibited in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

The influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Utah's alcohol laws can be seen in the state's strict regulations and restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. These laws reflect the Church's teachings and the large presence of Latter-day Saints in the state, resulting in a unique alcohol culture in Utah compared to other states in the country.

Frequently asked questions