Posted in Utah June 27, 2017 by

Utah’s 12 Strange Alcohol Laws That Only Locals Understand

When it comes to buying and drinking alcohol in the Beehive State, things get a little…tricky. While we’re certainly not the only state in the nation to have some strict laws regarding booze, our rules and regulations have befuddled many a tourist and frustrated many businesses and residents. Are you familiar with Utah’s liquor laws? Here are some of the laws that affect you as a consumer.

1. You can't get a drink at a restaurant or bar until 11:30 am.
makautomatik/flickr
The cut-off time is 1:00 am.
2. You can't just order a drink at a restaurant.
Casey B./Yelp
If an establishment is deemed a "restaurant" and not a "bar," you must order food with your drinks.
3. Utah's legal limit is the lowest in the nation.
Terry Hamilton/flickr
You'll get a DUI if you're blood-alcohol is .05 percent or higher in Utah. The new law goes into effect December 30, 2018. The current legal limit is .08 percent.
4. The price of alcohol in Utah is regulated.
MoneyBlogNewz/flickr
Yes, it's definitely more expensive than neighboring states...Utah's markup for liquor is 88 percent; 66.5 percent for liquor-store beer.
5. You can't bring alcohol across state lines.
Karl Baron/flickr
Yes...liquor is waaay less expensive in other states. But it's illegal to stock up in Nevada and bring your loot back home to Utah.
6. You can't join the Wine of the Month Club.
David Chao/flickr
The same law that prevents you from stocking up in Wyoming or Nevada keeps you from joining the Wine of the Month Club.
7. Speaking of wine...
Shelly Prevost/flickr
...when you visit that amazing vineyard in another state, you can't have them ship a case to you.
8. The duty-free liquor store on the cruise ship?
Alper Çuğun/flickr
Nope. Just watch in envy while your fellow passengers stock up on the bargains.
9. Packaged alcohol in Utah is only sold at state liquor stores.
Patrick Berry/flickr
Yes...the state of Utah has the corner on this market. You can only get 3.2% beer at other retail locations.
...which means that you won't find any alcohol (except for some beer) at your local Utah Costco.
Mark Guim/flickr
10. Utah State Liquor stores have limited hours, and are closed on Sundays and State/Federal holidays.
Jenni Konrad/flickr
How do we ever drink?
11. Remember beer kegs? They were banned years ago.
Ilya Yakubovich/flickr
Those "keggers" in the 1980s are a thing of the past. Now, kegs are reserved only for restaurants, bars and those with special event permits.
12. This is a restaurant.
Business owner/Yelp
This is a bar. In case you're confused, we have a brand new law that requires both bars and restaurants to post special signs.
Hank B./Tripadvisor
"This Premise Is Licensed As A Bar Not A Restaurant." And, "This Premise Is Licensed As A Restaurant Not A Bar."

Did you know about all these laws? How do they affect you? Tell us in the comments!

Some Utahns don’t consume alcohol…they eat ice cream instead (and some of us consume both!) Take a look at these 11 places in the Beehive State to get ice cream…the consumption of which is not regulated by the Utah State Legislature at all 🙂