Utah Beer Buying Hours: Time Restrictions Explained

If you're planning to buy beer in Utah, it's important to be aware of the state's liquor laws, which have a reputation for being quite restrictive. While Utah is not a dry state, its alcohol regulations are influenced by the fact that a majority of its residents are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which advises against alcohol consumption. Here's what you need to know about buying beer in Utah and the relevant time restrictions.

Beer with an ABV of 5% or less can be bought in grocery and convenience stores

In Utah, beer with an ABV of 5% or less can be purchased in grocery and convenience stores. This change came into effect in November 2019, when a new bill replaced an 86-year-old law that limited the alcohol content of beer to 3.2% ABV.

Utah has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the United States. The state has a monopoly over the wholesaling and retailing of alcoholic beverages, and alcohol laws are based on the philosophy of making alcoholic beverages available in a manner that reasonably satisfies public demand without promoting or encouraging consumption.

The sale of alcohol in Utah is regulated by the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS), which has controlled the state's liquor industry (except for 4.0% beer) since 1935.

• Grocery and convenience stores: Beer with an ABV of up to 5% can be purchased at most grocery and convenience stores across Utah. This change was implemented through the passing of Utah SB 132 in March 2019, which increased the permitted ABV in beers sold in these stores.
• State Liquor Stores: For beers with a higher ABV, you will need to visit a state liquor store. These stores are usually open from Monday to Saturday, with varying closing times between 5 pm and 10 pm, and they are closed on Sundays.
• Restaurants and Bars: Beer with an ABV of up to 5% can be served on draft in restaurants and bars. However, in restaurants, alcoholic drinks must be accompanied by food. There is no such requirement for bars and taverns.
• Age Restriction: It is important to note that you must be 21 years old or older to purchase or consume alcohol in Utah. This applies to both residents and visitors.
• Time Restrictions: While there are no time restrictions mentioned for purchasing beer from grocery and convenience stores, bars and restaurants in Utah can serve alcohol from 10:00 am to 1:00 am, with last calls generally made by 1 am and closing by 2 am.
• ID Requirements: Always carry a valid form of identification when purchasing alcohol in Utah. Acceptable forms of ID include a passport, a U.S. driver's license, or a military identification card with a date of birth and a photo.
• "Zion Curtain" Law: This law, which required restaurants to separate bartenders preparing drinks from customers by a partition, was updated in 2017. Now, minors must be seated at least 10 feet away from the bar area, creating what is known as the "Zion moat."
• DUI Limit: Utah has the strictest DUI limit in the country, with a blood alcohol content (BAC) limit of 0.05%. This applies to both driving cars and riding bikes.
• No Public Consumption: It is prohibited to consume liquor in public places in Utah. This includes having an open container of alcohol in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.
• No Outside Alcohol: It is illegal to bring any alcohol into Utah from outside the state. However, visitors are allowed to bring a maximum of nine liters of liquor for personal consumption.

Beer with an ABV of over 5% can be bought in state liquor stores

Beer with an ABV of over 5% can be purchased in Utah state liquor stores. These stores are generally open from Monday to Saturday, from 11 am to between 5 pm and 10 pm, depending on the location. They are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Utah's liquor laws have been subject to change in recent years, with the state making efforts to modernise them. In November 2019, a new bill was passed, replacing an 86-year-old law that limited beer alcohol content to 3.2% ABV. This new bill allows beers with up to 5% ABV to be sold in grocery stores, convenience stores, and on tap at bars and restaurants.

Beer with an ABV of over 5% can also be purchased at package agencies, which are often located in smaller towns, businesses, or resorts. Additionally, some breweries and distilleries designated as "Type 5" package agencies can sell their products directly to consumers 365 days a year.

Beer can be bought in bars, taverns, and restaurants with a beer-only license

Beer can be purchased in bars, taverns, and restaurants with a beer-only license. These establishments are allowed to sell alcohol from 10:00 a.m. until 12:59 a.m. on weekdays, and from 10:30 a.m. to 12:59 a.m. on weekends.

In bars and taverns with a beer-only license, food is not required to be served with beer. However, persons under the age of 21 are not allowed on the premises of these establishments.

Bars with a full liquor license are required to serve food with alcoholic drinks. Patrons may be served at a bar or table, but food must be available at all times. These bars can serve liquor, wine, flavoured malt beverages, heavy beer, and beer from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Restaurants with a beer-only license can serve beer from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekdays, and from 10:30 a.m. on weekends, legal holidays, and for private parties. Restaurants with a full liquor license have the same serving hours, but they require that patrons order food with their alcoholic drinks.

It is important to note that Utah has strict laws regulating the sale and consumption of alcohol. The legal drinking age in Utah is 21, and it is illegal to bring any alcohol into the state. The state also has the strictest DUI limit in the country, with a blood alcohol content limit of 0.05%.

Beer can be bought in restaurants with a full or limited-service liquor license

In Utah, beer can be bought in restaurants with a full or limited-service liquor license. These restaurants can serve beer from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. on weekdays and from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. on weekends, legal holidays, and for private parties. However, there is an additional requirement for restaurants with limited-service liquor licenses: they can only serve wine and heavy beer during these hours.

Full-service licensed restaurants can serve liquor, wine, flavoured malt beverages, and heavy beer. Patrons must be dining in the restaurant to be served an alcoholic beverage, and alcohol cannot be served after 1:00 a.m. under any circumstances.

Limited-service licensed restaurants cannot sell flavoured malt beverages or distilled spirits. They can only serve wine and heavy beer, and the same dining and timing requirements as full-service licensed restaurants apply.

In addition to the timing restrictions, there are also rules about how much alcohol can be served in a single drink. For example, a mixed drink can contain a maximum of 1.5 ounces of primary liquor and an extra full ounce of secondary liquor marked as "flavoring".

Beer can be bought in airport lounges

Utah has strict laws around the sale of alcohol, and the state does not promote or encourage the sale or use of alcohol. However, the laws have been relaxed in recent years, and it is no longer a requirement to have a "private club membership" to enter bars.

Beer over 3.2% alcohol by volume (ABV) can be purchased in Utah. Beers with up to 5% ABV can be sold in grocery stores, convenience stores, and on draft at bars and restaurants. Beers with a higher ABV can be purchased at state liquor stores.

The legal drinking age in Utah is 21, and a valid form of ID is required to purchase alcohol. Last call for alcohol is generally 1 am, and bars must close by 2 am.

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