Utah's Liquor Laws

Baby-boomer skiers remember when getting a glass of wine with your meal in Utah meant a trip to the state liquor store before going to a restaurant, then paying a setup fee before you could consume your own brown-bagged bottle. Now it’s much easier, but here are a few tips:

Restaurants that have liquor licenses (most do) can serve alcohol from noon to midnight “to customers intending to dine.” Wine and liquor menus are delivered along with your dining menu, and many restaurants promote their drink specialties on table cardholders.

Bars don’t exist in Utah, at least not by that name. If you are planning just to drink, not eat, you’ll have to do so at a private club. Don’t be deterred by nightclub advertising that has phrasing like this: “A private club for the benefit of its members.” You, too, can become a member. Utah residents buy an annual membership costing up to $35 for each club. Visitors pay $4 for a membership, valid for three weeks for the visitor and seven guests. Annual members can bring guests, too. Just think of it as a cover charge.

Club memberships vary in price and sometimes they are waived entirely at the discretion of the door person. Park City interprets the rules pretty loosely.

You can also purchase beer, wine and liquor very easily. Grocery and convenience stores sell beer. Sixteen state liquor stores in the Salt Lake area sell wine, spirits, and beer (closed on Sundays). Wine lovers will want to visit the Utah State Wine Store in Salt Lake City, 255 South 300 East, which has more than 3,000 different varieties of wine.

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