Drinking Laws

The state’s liquor laws are rather confusing and peculiar. Several different kinds of establishments are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.

Taverns, which include brewpubs, can sell only 3.2 percent beer (not wine, which is classed as hard liquor in Utah). You don’t need to purchase food or be a member of a private club to have a beer in a tavern. With the exception of brewpubs, taverns are usually fairly derelict and not especially cheery places to hang out.

Licensed restaurants sell beer, wine, and hard liquor but only with food orders. However, it’s not always easy to tell if drinks are served, because a long-time—but now defunct—law forbade servers from asking customers if they cared for a drink. In many parts of the state, you still need to specifically ask for a drink or the drink menu to begin the process. In Salt Lake City, Moab, and Park City, most restaurants have liquor licenses. In other cities and towns, very few eating establishments offer alcohol.

Private clubs are essentially the same as bars in other parts of the United States. You can have drinks with or without food during opening hours. However, you must be a member to eat or drink in a private club. For the traveler, this doesn’t present an insurmountable hurdle, as you can buy temporary memberships (a two-week membership usually costs around $5). If you’re fond of a drink and nightlife, it might well be worth it. Most live music clubs are private clubs, for instance. Also, members of a club are able to sign in up to five friends on a nightly basis. You can ask a friendly-looking stranger to sign you in, or, if you’re part of a group, one of you can become a member and sign the others in.

Nearly all towns have a state-owned liquor store, and 3.2 percent beer is available in most grocery stores. Carrying a bottle of your favorite beverage to your room may be the easiest way to enjoy an evening drink.

The state drinking age is 21.

© W.C. McRae and Judy Jewell from Moon Utah, 8th Edition