Liquor Laws
Utah's Liquor Laws
So is Utah really a dry state? The answer is “no” although Utah has some ridiculously archaic liquor laws that have originated from a government that has been dominated by Mormon church members. Thankfully the Utah liquor laws were relaxed significantly in 2009.
Domestic beer is limited to 3.2% alcohol, and many bars have to serve food in order to serve drinks. You can order a shot and a beer, but not a double shot. And two funny laws that were abolished in 2009 are the necessity to buy a membership to private clubs (ie bars) and the Zion Curtain rule whereby a bartender in restaurants cannot reach across the bar to give a customer a drink – weird! The liquor laws are really a tourist attraction in themselves!
See the
official Utah state website for more information on the liquor laws, but the other option is not to figure them out, and just go with the flow. In essence, it’s not difficult to get a drink in Utah, but you might just have to giggle first to get one.
For a state that tries to limit alcohol consumption, it’s amazing how many local beers are brewed in Utah. Examples of great beers are the Wasatch Evolution Amber Ale for its taste, and the Polygamy Porters for its silly name.