There used to be these bizarre and frankly really STUPID laws about private clubs where you went through this ridiculous song-and-dance about membership before you entered. That changed when Gordon B. Hinkley died. The LDS Church's new leadership decided to enter the 21st century and allow our leadership in the state capital to act like Republicans instead of heavy-handed socialists. Below is the law as it exists today.
Source: Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Website http://www.alcbev.state.ut.us/Liquor_Laws/liquor_laws_affecting_visitors.html
General Info
The sale and service of alcoholic beverages is regulated by the State of Utah. Alcoholic beverage control is a concept that Utah shares with other states and countries. Utah's liquor laws are based on the general philosophy of making alcoholic beverages available in a manner that reasonably satisfies the public demand. In this respect, however, the state does not promote or encourage the sale or use of alcohol.Legal Age
A person must be at least 21 years of age or older to purchase and consume alcohol in Utah.The following is a summary of how residents and visitors to Utah may obtain alcoholic beverages.
Wine, Liquor, Flavored Malt Beverages, Beer, and Heavy Beer: Full liquor service is available in licensed restaurants, banquet and catering facilities, airport lounges, and clubs. Patrons may order liquor by the drink, wine by the glass or bottle, and beer in bottles, cans and on draft. Packaged liquor, wine, and heavy beer (over 3.2%) are available in State Liquor Stores and Package Agencies.
In restaurants with full service liquor licenses, liquor, wine, flavored malt beverages, and heavy beer (over 3.2%) may be served from noon to midnight. Beer (3.2%) is available from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Patrons must be dining in the restaurant in order to be served an alcoholic beverage.
In restaurants with limited service liquor licenses, wine, and heavy beer (over 3.2%) may be served from noon to midnight. Beer (3.2%) is available from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Limited restaurant licenses may not sell flavored malt beverages or distilled spirits.
An on-premise banquet license allows the storage, sale, service, and consumption of liquor, wine, flavored malt beverages, heavy beer, and beer for contracted banquet activities on the premises of a hotel, resort facility, sports center, or convention center. It also allows for room service in hotels and resorts. Alcoholic beverages may be sold on any day from 10 a.m. until 1 a.m.
In clubs, liquor, wine, flavored malt beverages, heavy beer, and beer may be served from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Clubs sell alcoholic beverages with or without food, and patrons may be served at a bar or table. Many clubs provide live entertainment. There are four types of clubs; equity, fraternal, dining, and social. Dining and Social clubs are open to the public. Equity clubs (such as country clubs) and Fraternal or Patriotic clubs are for members and their guests.
In airport lounges, liquor, wine, flavored malt beverages, heavy beer, and beer may be served from 8:00 a.m. until 12 midnight. Alcoholic beverages may be sold with or without food, and patrons may be served at a bar or table. Airport lounges are located at the Salt Lake International Airport.
Packaged liquor, wine, and heavy beer 'to go'is sold at 37 full service state liquor stores. There are also approximately 105 package agencies that offer a more modest selection of these products. Package agencies are often located in smaller cities and towns, and in hotels and resorts for customer convenience.
Utah offers a world class wine selection at four specialty wine stores located at: 255 South 300 East, 1863 East 7000 South, and 280 W Harris Ave in Salt Lake City; and 1901 Sidewinder Drive in Park City. Several other state stores also offer expanded wine selections. Store locations, addresses, directions, phone numbers, and hours of operations can be found on our website. To locate a store, click here.