Last week, Utah finally changed its Byzantine system of liquor laws that required bars to sell “memberships” before anyone was served a drink. Utah had beer bars but no plain old bars serving cocktails. To get a mixed drink one had to visit a restaurant or a private club. Now most “private clubs” will become bars.
These new laws won’t necessarily improve the Utah cocktail scene; getting a drink was never that hard. But, they will at least change it and make the process less foreign to visitors from out-of-state. Some of the more esoteric laws such as the Zion Curtain that shields the bartender from being seen by patrons mixing drinks have also been eliminated more or less. However, the strict mixing laws, limiting drinks to 1-1/2 ounces of alcohol are still in effect. Hence, martinis still will be minuscule.
Basically, getting a drink in Utah will just about like getting a drink anywhere else in the U.S.A. According to local newspapers:
The new system, negotiated between Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.’s office, legislators, representatives from the hospitality and restaurant industries and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, makes several concessions to those who have voiced opposition to a move that could be seen as liberalizing Utah’s liquor laws. Anyone who looks younger than 35 must have their driver’s licenses scanned, the state’s DUI laws will become stricter and bar owners’ liability coverage will double.
About 60 percent of Utah residents and almost all state lawmakers belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of the church tenants is to abstain from alcohol and the church rules have always shaped alcohol policy in the state.
Here are the new rules for drinking in Utah
• Private club membership requirements are eliminated.
• Businesses are required to have anyone who appears younger than 35 years old electronically scan their identification cards.
• The “Zion Curtain” glass barriers in restaurants that serve alcohol is eliminated.
• New restaurants must have a separate area for mixing drinks, so child patrons cannot see the drinks. Existing restaurants are grandfathered in, but could get $30,000 in credits to renovate and meet the new requirements.
• Bars and restaurants face more liability in drunk driving incidents.
• Resorts that operate multiple bars or restaurants must obtain a new umbrella license.
• Repeat drunken drivers could forfeit their vehicles.
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
