Updated March 13, 2009

Utah Liquor Law History

1934 Prohibition ends in Utah, beer is legal to buy.
1935 Liquor Control Act enacted, Liquor Commission established to set prices,
requires State Liquor Stores to sell any liquor over 3.2 percent alcohol.
1937 Drinking in public buildings, parks or stadiums, or being intoxicated
in public outlawed.
1955 Nonprofit private locker clubs established so people could drink at
recreation and social resorts
1959 Brownbagging written officially into statute.
1969 New law allowed state-run liquor outlets to open in restaurants,
to sell 2-ounce mini-bottles directly to customers.
1977 Advertising for private clubs banned
1985 New Alcoholic Beverage Control Act enacted, allowing restaurants
license to sell mini-bottles, and use of alcoholic flavorings.
1988 A law to allow restaurants to serve unopened mini-bottles directly
to customers at their table passed.
1990 The end of brownbagging and mini-bottles. Metered pouring devices
for one-ounce drinks in clubs. Keg sales and advertising visible from the
street banned.
1995 Utah liquor stores accept credit cards.
1996 U.S. Supreme Court ruling clears the way for alcohol advertising.
2001 The liquor commission allows drink lists on restaurant tables.
2008 Flavored malt beverages, or alcopops, could only be sold in
state stores. However, due to restrictive labeling rules, the law basicly
banned the drinks. Metered pouring encreased to 1.5 ounces per drink
though the amount of alcoholic flavorings is reduced.
2009 July 1, 2009 no more Private Clubs. New restaurants required to
have Zion Curtain (guests cannot see the pouring of drinks).
Source: The Salt Lake Tribue December 2, 2008
Earl F. Dorius, Utah Alcohol Beverage Control Commission.

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