Kara Sears
Utah's alcohol laws are among the most strict and complex in the US, with unique regulations governing the purchase and sale of alcohol within the state. The state has a monopoly over the wholesaling and retailing of alcoholic beverages, and its laws restrict where and when alcohol can be purchased and consumed. While beer with an ABV of 5% or 4.0% alcohol by weight can be sold in grocery and convenience stores, wine and spirits can only be purchased from state-run liquor stores, which are closed on Sundays and major holidays. In this context, understanding the difference between malt liquor and beer is essential for navigating Utah's alcohol laws and avoiding legal issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legal drinking age | 21 years |
| Legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for driving | 0.05% |
| Beer sold at grocery and convenience stores | 5.0% ABV or 4.0% alcohol by weight |
| Beer sold at state liquor stores | Above 5.0% ABV or 4.0% alcohol by weight |
| Beer sold at bars, clubs, taverns, and other establishments | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. |
| Beer sold at restaurants | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. |
| Beer sold at airport lounges | 8:00 a.m. – midnight |
| Liquor, wine, and beer sold at licensed restaurants | 11:30 a.m. – midnight |
| Liquor, wine, and heavy beer sold at state liquor stores | Monday to Saturday |
| Liquor, wine, and heavy beer sold at licensed distilleries | Every day, including Sundays |
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Alcohol by volume (ABV) limits
Utah's alcohol laws are among the most strict and complex in the US, governing the purchase and sale of alcohol within the state. The state's unique liquor and beer legislation has been influenced by its religious demographics, with 55% of Utah residents belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which advises against alcohol consumption.
Utah law sets a limit on the ABV of beer sold at grocery and convenience stores, taverns, beer bars, and some restaurants. Beer with an ABV of up to 5% (or 4.0% alcohol by weight) can be sold at these locations. This limit was increased from 4% on November 1, 2019, after the passing of Utah SB 132 in March 2019. This change was advocated for by beer distributors and consumers, as it allowed for a wider variety of beers to be sold in local stores.
Beer with an ABV greater than 5% can only be sold at state-controlled liquor stores, along with liquor and wine. These state-run stores are closed on Sundays and major holidays. Breweries, wineries, and distilleries are exempt from this restriction and can sell their products every day of the week, including Sundays.
Bars, clubs, taverns, and other establishments selling "on-premise" alcohol (excluding restaurants) are permitted to serve alcohol from 10:00 am to 1:00 am. Restaurants are subject to different hours, with alcohol sales allowed from 11:30 am to 1:00 am. Additionally, restaurants in Utah require customers to order food along with their alcoholic drinks.
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Where to buy
In Utah, beer with an ABV of 5.0% or less can be purchased in grocery stores and convenience stores. Grocery stores will only have low-point beer on Sundays and national holidays.
Beer with an ABV of over 5.0% is considered "heavy beer" and can be purchased in state-run liquor stores, which are closed on Sundays and major holidays. There are 41 of these stores across the state, generally open Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm.
Breweries, wineries, and distilleries can sell their products every day of the week, including Sundays. Licensed distilleries are the only exception to the Sunday rule, as they are permitted to sell their products directly to consumers on Sundays.
There are also over 100 package stores across the state that sell a selection of beer, wine, and spirits. There are also three specialty wine stores in downtown Salt Lake City that sell limited-production wine, beer, and liquor with a diverse and constantly changing selection.
Alcoholic beverages can be purchased for on-premises consumption in licensed restaurants, bars, taverns, hotels, resorts, recreational facilities, banquet facilities, reception centres, and airport lounges.
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Age restrictions
In Utah, you must be 21 years old or older to buy or consume alcohol. This is the minimum drinking age, and it is the same as in other states. All adults should be prepared to show ID when heading to a bar in Utah. Acceptable forms of identification include a passport, U.S. driver's license, or military identification card with a date of birth and a photo. International visitors must show a passport to confirm age eligibility to purchase alcohol.
Utah is one of seventeen control states, meaning the state has a monopoly over the wholesaling and/or retailing of some or all categories of alcoholic beverages. Liquor and wine sales are limited to state liquor stores, which are generally open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm or 10 pm, depending on the location. They are always closed on Sundays and all state and federal holidays.
Beer up to 5% ABV (or 4% alcohol by weight) can be purchased at grocery and convenience stores and at establishments with a "beer-only" type of license, such as taverns, beer bars, and some restaurants. Beer over 4% alcohol by weight (5% ABV) is available at state liquor stores and package agencies and at clubs and restaurants licensed to sell liquor.
At restaurants, alcoholic drinks can only be served with food, but at breweries or any beer-only establishments, food is not required to order a beer. Restaurants and bars can serve draft beer up to 5% and higher ABV beers from the can or bottle.
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Opening hours
The opening hours for purchasing alcohol in Utah vary depending on the type of establishment and the day of the week. Here is a detailed overview of the opening hours for alcohol sales in the state of Utah:
Supermarkets and Convenience Stores:
Beer with an alcohol content of up to 5.0% ABV (or 4.0% alcohol by weight) can be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores. These stores are typically open during standard business hours, which may vary depending on the specific store but generally include daytime and evening hours. Utah law allows the sale of beer in these stores between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m.
State Liquor Stores:
State-run liquor stores in Utah are the exclusive retailers of liquor, wine, and beer with an alcohol content above 5.0% ABV. These stores are typically open Monday through Saturday, with hours ranging from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., or sometimes even 10 p.m. State liquor stores are always closed on Sundays and all state and federal holidays.
Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries:
Breweries, wineries, and distilleries in Utah are permitted to sell their products directly to consumers every day of the week, including Sundays. Their operating hours may vary, but they generally align with standard business hours.
Bars and Restaurants:
Bars and restaurants in Utah are licensed to sell alcohol within specific time frames. Bars can serve alcohol from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., while restaurants can sell alcohol from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. However, restaurants with full-service liquor licenses may serve alcohol until midnight. It is important to note that Utah law requires alcohol to be ordered with food in restaurants.
Airport Lounges:
Airport lounges in Utah, such as those at Salt Lake International Airport, can serve liquor, wine, and beer from 8:00 a.m. until midnight. Alcoholic beverages can be sold with or without food, and patrons can be served at the bar or table.
Temporary Events:
Temporary event permits are available for the sale of alcohol at special events. These permits must be obtained from the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS) or the Utah Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABC) at least 30 days in advance of the event. The sale of alcohol at these events must adhere to the standard opening hours and regulations for the respective establishments.
It is worth noting that Utah's alcohol laws are subject to change, and some cities and towns within the state may have their own specific regulations. Therefore, it is always advisable to stay informed about the current laws and regulations in the area you are visiting or residing in.
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Licensing
Utah's alcohol laws are among the most strict and complex in the United States, with unique regulations governing the purchase and sale of alcohol within the state. The state's liquor laws have been subject to change over time, with recent efforts to modernise them.
Utah is one of seventeen control states, meaning the state has a monopoly over the wholesaling and/or retailing of some or all categories of alcoholic beverages. The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS) has regulated the sale of alcoholic beverages since 1935, two years after the end of Prohibition.
Since 1935, Utah's liquor industry (except 4.0% beer) has been controlled through state-run liquor store outlets. Beer with an ABV of 5.0% or less can be sold in grocery and convenience stores, while wine and spirits can only be purchased from state-run liquor stores, which are closed on Sundays and major holidays.
Bars, clubs, taverns, and other establishments selling in-house or "on-premise" alcohol (excluding restaurants) are allowed to sell alcohol from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Locations defined as restaurants under Utah law require that any alcohol be ordered with food, and they can sell alcohol from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Restaurants with full-service liquor licenses may serve liquor, wine, flavoured malt beverages, and heavy beer from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. The partitions, known as Zion curtains, are mandated for restaurants with "Limited-Service Restaurant Licenses" and "Full-Service Restaurant Licenses". These partitions are required to be "solid, translucent, and permanent" and were intended to keep alcohol out of sight of patrons who choose not to drink.
Breweries, wineries, and distilleries can sell their products every day of the week, including Sundays. Licensed distilleries are the only exception, as they are permitted to sell their products directly to consumers even on Sundays when state-operated liquor stores are closed.
Temporary event permits for the sale of beer and liquor are issued by the Utah Alcoholic Beverage Services for on-premise consumption at temporary events. These permits are approved by the Director of DABS, and applications must be submitted 30 days in advance of the event. Local licensing is also required. Private parties are not required to obtain a permit from DABS if the event is not open to the public, and alcohol is provided free of charge to invited guests.
Single-event permits are available from the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services for groups that want to sell liquor, wine, flavoured malt beverages, beer, and heavy beer at temporary events. These permits are available to bona fide partnerships, corporations, and other organisations that have been in existence for at least one year and are conducting a civic or community enterprise or convention. The permit allows for the sale of alcoholic beverages to the general public or the organisation's invited guests and permits hosted bars, cash bars, and the sale of alcohol for fundraising purposes.
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Frequently asked questions
In Utah, beer with an ABV of 5% or less can be sold in grocery and convenience stores, while malt liquor and wine can only be purchased from state-run liquor stores.
The legal drinking age in Utah is 21.
The "Zion Curtain" law mandated that restaurants in Utah with certain licenses must have a 7-foot barrier around the bar to prevent customers from seeing the mixing and pouring of drinks. This law was reformed in 2017.
A "beer-only" license in Utah allows establishments such as taverns, beer bars, and some restaurants to sell beer with an ABV of up to 5%.
