Lena Savoie
Utah has historically had strict alcohol laws, influenced by the large population of Latter-day Saints in the state, who are advised against consuming alcohol. While it has never succeeded in becoming a dry state, Utah has some unique regulations surrounding alcohol, including the nation's strictest DUI limit of 0.05% BAC. The state also has laws prohibiting the display and consumption of alcohol in public places and has strict requirements for the separation of alcohol preparation and consumption areas from minors in restaurants. In recent years, Utah has made efforts to modernize its liquor laws, such as increasing the percentage of alcohol by volume in beer sold in grocery and convenience stores and removing the requirement for a private club membership to enter bars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| DUI limit | 0.05% |
| Legal drinking age | 21 |
| Alcohol in public places | Prohibited |
| Alcohol in vehicles | Prohibited |
| Alcohol in licensed restaurants | Allowed, but must be served with food |
| Alcohol in grocery stores | Allowed, up to 5% ABV |
| Alcohol in state liquor stores | Allowed, higher than 5% ABV |
| Alcohol advertising | No restrictions mentioned |
| Display of alcohol | No restrictions mentioned |
| Marijuana | Only available for medical purposes |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol availability in restaurants
Alcohol laws in Utah are some of the most restrictive in the United States. The state has a large population of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who are advised against consuming alcohol. While attempts to make Utah a dry state failed, alcohol laws have been strict due to this influence.
In recent years, however, there have been notable changes to alcohol regulations, making it easier for visitors to Utah to purchase and consume alcohol. For instance, in 2019, a new bill replaced an 86-year-old law, allowing the sale of beers with 4% alcohol by weight or 5% ABV in grocery stores, convenience stores, and on draft at bars and restaurants.
Most nice restaurants in Utah have a liquor license, ranging from those selling only beer, to those offering full-service bars. Alcoholic drinks must be served alongside a purchased food item, and delivered by an authorized employee over the age of 21. Minors are allowed in restaurants that serve alcohol, but they are not permitted in bar or lounge areas.
In 2017, a bill was passed that removed the requirement of the Zion Curtain in restaurants. The Zion Curtain was a partition that separated restaurant bartenders preparing alcoholic drinks from customers. The bill replaced this rule with a minimum 10-foot distance requirement between the location where alcoholic drinks were prepared and tables where people under the age of 21 could be seated.
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Alcohol advertising
One notable example is the "Zion Curtain," a partition unique to Utah restaurants that separates bartenders preparing alcoholic drinks from patrons, particularly children and teens. The Zion Curtain was introduced to shield minors from the glamorization of alcohol and the act of drinking. However, it has been a controversial topic, with some seeing it as an unnecessary hardship for businesses in an already restrictive state. In 2010, legislation was enacted to restore these barriers as part of a broader compromise on alcohol reform.
In recent years, there have been efforts to relax alcohol regulations in Utah, including the removal of Zion Curtains. In 2013, legislation was proposed to abolish these partitions permanently, but it did not pass. Subsequently, a bill (HB 339) was introduced, allowing restaurant owners to remove the Zion Curtain if they established a separate bar area inaccessible to those under 21. This bill aimed to balance the concerns of businesses and the desire to protect minors from exposure to alcohol.
Utah has also updated laws regarding alcohol availability and purchasing. In 2019, a new bill increased the alcohol percentage of beer sold in grocery and convenience stores from 4% to 5% ABV, expanding the variety of beers available. However, high-percentage beers and liquor and wine are still exclusively sold at state liquor stores. Additionally, Utah has a strict DUI limit of 0.05%, the lowest in the country, and consuming liquor in public places is prohibited.
While Utah's liquor laws have evolved, the state continues to navigate the balance between modernizing regulations and upholding traditional values influenced by the LDS Church. The unique aspects of Utah's alcohol landscape, including the Zion Curtain and separate regulations for bars and restaurants, set it apart from other states in the US.
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Drinking in public
Utah law also prohibits consuming or having an open container of alcohol in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. As a general rule, alcoholic beverages may not be brought into a public establishment for consumption on the premises. However, wine may be brought into a restaurant licensed to sell wine, with varying corkage fees.
The legal drinking age in Utah is 21 years old. Anyone under 21 is prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or consuming alcohol. Establishments such as bars and clubs restrict entry to those below this age limit. Restaurants, on the other hand, have no age restriction for admission, but only those 21 and above can legally drink.
Utah has a history of strict alcohol laws, influenced by the large population of Latter-day Saints, 55% of whom are advised against alcohol consumption by their church. While attempts to make Utah a dry state failed, the state has maintained stringent liquor laws. In recent years, however, Utah has modernised its liquor laws, making it easier for visitors to access and consume alcohol.
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DUI limit
Utah has some of the toughest DUI laws in the United States. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for a DUI in Utah is 0.05%, lower than the 0.08% standard in most states. If your BAC is 0.05% or higher while operating a vehicle, you can be arrested and charged with a DUI. This limit includes not only driving cars but riding bikes as well. For drivers under 21, Utah enforces a strict "not a drop" law, meaning any detectable amount of alcohol in their system while driving is illegal and will result in a DUI charge.
Research from laboratory and driving simulator studies has shown that several types of driving-related skills (such as divided attention, vigilance, tracking, perception, and reaction time) are affected by BAC levels as low as 0.01%. Despite public campaigns and efforts to discourage driving after drinking, survey and observational data show that many people continue to do so. Over the last five years, there were 54,402 arrests for DUI in Utah, representing an average of 29.8 per day.
Utah's strict DUI laws are influenced by the traditional teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to which 55% of Utah residents belong. The Church advises against the consumption of alcohol for its members. While Utah's liquor laws may seem strict, they are similar to the laws in several other states, and the state is one of 18 states in the "Control State System".
If you've been arrested for a DUI in Utah, it's important to act quickly. Contacting a skilled DUI lawyer can help protect your future and navigate the state's strict DUI laws and penalties, which can include jail time, fines, license suspension, and IID requirements.
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Alcohol strength
The ABV of alcoholic beverages can vary significantly depending on the type of drink and its specific ingredients and production methods. For example, beer typically has an ABV ranging from 4% to 8%, while craft beers can have higher ABV levels, often exceeding 8%. Wine usually falls within the 14% to 18% ABV range, but specialty wines can reach 20% ABV. Distilled spirits, such as vodka, tequila, rum, and whiskey, tend to have much higher ABV levels, with whiskey typically ranging from 36% to 50% ABV.
In the United States, legal serving sizes of alcoholic beverages are standardised to contain approximately 0.6 ounces of alcohol per serving. This standardisation helps regulate consumption and enforce drinking laws. In Utah, which has historically had strict liquor laws due to the influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the legal drinking age is 21, and there are various regulations surrounding the sale and consumption of alcohol.
Utah has specific laws regarding the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages, including the requirement for restaurants to separate the preparation of alcoholic drinks from patrons, commonly known as "Zion curtains." These laws have been the subject of debate, with some arguing for their protective value and others criticising their impact on the restaurant industry. In recent years, Utah has made efforts to relax its liquor laws, such as removing the requirement for Zion curtains in 2017 and allowing higher ABV beers to be sold in grocery and convenience stores.
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Frequently asked questions
While I couldn't find explicit information on whether it is illegal to display alcohol in Utah, Utah has strict liquor laws and it is illegal to consume alcohol in public places.
Alcoholic drinks must be served in conjunction with a purchased food item in restaurants. In bars, there is no requirement to order food. You must be 21 or older to enter a bar or consume alcohol in Utah.
Beer that is 5% ABV can be bought in grocery stores and convenience stores. Wine and liquor are sold exclusively at state liquor stores.
