Theo Nash
Alcohol laws in Utah are some of the most restrictive in the United States. The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS) has regulated the sale of alcoholic beverages since 1935, and the state has a monopoly over the wholesaling and retailing of alcoholic beverages. Utah's liquor laws have undergone several changes over the years, with the state making efforts to modernize its regulations. The laws dictate various aspects of alcohol sales, including licensing requirements, operating hours, age restrictions, and the types of alcoholic beverages that can be sold in different establishments. Understanding these laws is crucial for businesses and individuals involved in the alcohol industry in Utah.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legal drinking age | 21 years old |
| Regulatory body | Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS/DABS) |
| Alcohol limit in beer sold at grocery and convenience stores | 5% ABV (4.0% alcohol by weight) |
| Alcohol limit in beer sold at state liquor stores and package agencies | Above 5% ABV |
| Hours of sale for bars, clubs, taverns, etc. | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. |
| Hours of sale for restaurants | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. |
| Requirement for restaurants | Alcohol must be ordered with food |
| Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit for driving | 0.05% |
| Mandatory training for beverage workers | Eliminating Alcohol Sales to Youth (E.A.S.Y.) |
| On-premise server training | Within 30 days of hire |
| Recertification for beverage workers | Every three years |
| Sales on Sundays | Restricted, state liquor stores are closed |
| Smoking in public areas | Prohibited |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol sale age restrictions
The legal drinking age in Utah is 21, and no one under this age is allowed in an establishment licensed as a bar. All adults should be prepared to show ID when buying alcohol or entering a bar. To obtain a license to sell alcohol, businesses must meet specific qualifications, and all bartenders, store clerks, and other workers must meet several certification requirements.
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. Beer containing alcohol above 5% ABV (or 4% alcohol by weight) can only be sold at state-controlled liquor stores, and these stores are closed on Sundays and holidays.
Until 2019, beer sold in grocery and convenience stores was limited to 3.2% ABV, but this was increased to 5% ABV after the passing of Utah SB 132. This change brought Utah in line with other states and offered consumers a broader selection of options.
Restaurants in Utah are defined as businesses where a variety of foods are prepared and complete meals are served. Alcohol can be ordered in a restaurant from 11:30 a.m., but it must be accompanied by food. Taverns, breweries, and bars are allowed to sell alcohol during the same hours as restaurants but do not require patrons to order food.
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Alcohol by volume (ABV) limits
Alcohol laws in Utah are some of the most restrictive in the United States. The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS/DABS) has regulated the sale of alcoholic beverages since 1935, two years after the end of Prohibition.
The state's alcohol laws have undergone several changes in recent years, with the most recent update in November 2019, which saw an increase in the permitted alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage of beer.
Previously, the ABV limit for beer sold in grocery and convenience stores, taverns, beer bars, and some restaurants was 4.0% alcohol by weight (equivalent to 5.0% ABV). Beer with a higher ABV was only available at state-controlled liquor stores.
However, as of November 1, 2019, the ABV limit for beer was raised to 5.0% ABV (or 4.0% alcohol by weight) with the passing of Utah SB 132 in March 2019. This change brought Utah in line with its neighboring states, providing consumers with a broader selection of beers in local stores.
It is important to note that despite this change, the sale of liquor and wine is still exclusive to state-controlled liquor stores. Additionally, Utah law continues to impose restrictions on establishments based on their classification as either a bar or a restaurant.
Bars, taverns, and similar establishments are permitted to sell alcohol without requiring patrons to order food. On the other hand, restaurants are required to ensure that alcohol is ordered alongside food, although they are not mandated to be purchased simultaneously.
The state's alcohol laws also vary based on the day of the week. State liquor stores, which sell higher ABV beer, wine, and spirits, are closed on Sundays and holidays, often closing as early as 7 p.m. on other days.
However, breweries, wineries, and distilleries are allowed to sell their products, including sealed to-go bottles, on Sundays. Additionally, certain resorts, bars, restaurants, and venues may possess special licenses that permit Sunday alcohol sales under specific conditions.
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Business licensing requirements
The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS/DABS) has regulated the sale of alcoholic beverages since 1935, two years after the end of Prohibition. The state has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the US.
Any public business in Utah where alcohol is sold and consumed on its premises must be licensed by the state. Businesses that wish to sell or permit the consumption of alcohol are required to obtain the proper licenses from the County and the State of Utah through the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS).
Businesses must first contact the State of Utah, Division of Alcohol Beverage Services (UDABS) to determine what type of license they will need. The UDABS will provide a Local Consent form to be completed and sent back when the business has met the requirements. A criminal background check will be conducted on the applicant.
Retail and wholesale licenses and special use permits are issued by the Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission, which meets once a month. Applications must be submitted by the 10th of the month to allow time for processing.
All individuals employed to sell or furnish alcoholic beverages, as well as managers, must complete and pass an approved alcohol server training before the first day of work. On-premise server training must be completed within 30 days of hire and the certification process must be repeated every three years.
Businesses must also comply with zoning and distance requirements. For example, establishments that sell alcohol to be consumed on the premises must not be located within 600 feet of a community location.
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Employee training regulations
Utah has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the United States. The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS/DABS) has regulated the sale of alcoholic beverages since 1935, and the state has a monopoly over the wholesaling and retailing of alcoholic beverages.
All employees working in a licensed establishment, including managers, must complete mandatory alcohol server training. This includes bartenders, waiters, sales clerks, and other employees in the industry. The training aims to ensure responsible beverage service and public safety.
The training requirements vary depending on the type of establishment and the employee's role. There are two main types of training:
- Eliminating Alcohol Sales to Youth (E.A.S.Y.) Training: This training is required for off-premise employees, such as those working in grocery stores or liquor stores, and must be completed before their first day of work.
- On-Premise Server Training: This training is for employees working in bars, restaurants, clubs, or hotels, where alcohol is consumed on the premises. It must be completed within 30 days of hiring.
The certification process must be repeated every three years to ensure employees stay up to date with the state's liquor laws and regulations.
Employees must also be aware of the specific regulations surrounding the sale of different types of alcohol. Beer is categorized separately from liquor, with different ABV limits for each. Beer with an ABV of up to 5% can be sold in restaurants, bars, and grocery stores, while beer with a higher ABV is only available in state-controlled liquor stores.
Additionally, establishments must ensure that they only serve alcohol to patrons of the legal drinking age, which is 21 years old in Utah. Employees should be prepared to check IDs regularly to enforce this law.
Utah's liquor laws also have unique definitions for "bar" and "restaurant", which impact the licensing requirements and operating hours for each type of establishment. For example, restaurants are required to serve food with alcohol, while bars do not have this requirement but only allow patrons who are 21 or older.
Employees should also be aware of the days and hours when alcohol can be sold. State liquor stores are closed on Sundays and holidays, and establishments with daily operation licenses can sell alcohol every day of the week.
Overall, employee training and certification are crucial to ensure compliance with Utah's strict liquor laws and to promote responsible alcohol service.
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Sunday sale restrictions
Utah's liquor laws are some of the most restrictive in the United States. The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (UDABS) has regulated the sale of alcoholic beverages since 1935, two years after the end of Prohibition.
Utah's liquor laws restrict the sale of alcohol on Sundays. State liquor stores, which sell higher ABV beer, wine, and spirits, are closed on Sundays. However, there are some exceptions to these restrictions.
Exceptions
- Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries: These establishments are permitted to sell their products on Sundays, including sealed to-go bottles, as long as the containers remain closed while on the premises.
- Daily Operation Licenses: Some breweries and similar establishments have licenses that allow them to operate seven days a week, including Sundays.
- Special Licenses for Resorts and Venues: Certain resorts, hotels, restaurants, and venues may hold special licenses that permit the sale of alcohol on Sundays under specific licensing conditions.
- Grocery and Convenience Stores: Most grocery and convenience stores sell beer below 5% ABV every day of the week, including Sundays.
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Frequently asked questions
A person must be 21 years old or older to buy or consume alcohol in Utah.
Current Utah law sets a limit of 5% ABV in beer sold at grocery and convenience stores. Beer over 5% ABV is available at state-controlled liquor stores.
Every beverage worker in Utah must complete mandatory training, such as the Eliminating Alcohol Sales to Youth (E.A.S.Y.) training.
Bars, clubs, taverns, and other establishments selling alcohol are allowed to sell from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Restaurants can sell alcohol from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. State liquor stores are closed on Sundays and holidays and often close as early as 7 p.m.
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