Utah's Drinking Laws Are So Numerous And Bizarre, Tourists Need A Guide Before Visiting

The Beehive State, home to some of the most popular tourist destinations in America, takes its oversight of alcohol sales seriously, so much so that ordering a drink at a bar in Utah should come with an instruction manual. First-time visitors can be dumbfounded by the intricacies of ordering something as commonplace as a shot and a beer. For the record, it's possible, but complicated. Let's set the scene. You're headed to the lodge after a day shredding the gnar at the picture-perfect winter destination of Park City. First stop, a shot and a beer at the bar. Not so fast. The bartender will hand you the shot glass. Where's the beer? It's coming, but you'll have to quaff the shot first. It's illegal for the bartender to put two drinks in front of a patron at the same time. That means if you have your heart on a depth charge, you're in the wrong state. If your bartender is really fast, you may be able to pull off a boilermaker.

Check it out. Your crew snagged seats in front of the fireplace. Pick up a round and head over to join them. Or not. The same one-drink-per-person rule applies — even if you're ordering for friends. Ah ha, you may be thinking, I'll just order a pitcher of beer for the table. Nope. You're up against the one-drink rule again. Here's a handy workaround if you have your heart set on treating the group: We're not entirely sure why, but wine by the bottle gets a pass. Still mulling the shot-and-a-beer dilemma? It won't work for a boilermaker if you're carrying it to your table. How about ordering a double shot? Nope. That's another no-go in Utah. Or maybe you could charm your way into a heavy pour? It's a lost cause. Not even regulars can get away with that old standby.

Don't take it personally. Your bartender may think you're the wittiest and most interesting person in the establishment, but rules are rules. Plus, every single shot poured in the state of Utah is measured through a liquor control system known as The Berg. By law, the system, sometimes called the clicker, must be set to measure shots at no more than 1.5 ounces. Word to the wise: Some Utah establishments take it a step further and limit in-house standard pours to a measly one ounce, then sell 1.5-ounce shots at a premium.

It's definitely not an honor system. The Berg ensures regulators can audit sales versus volume served. That means ordering something like a classic Vesper martini — the libation author Ian Fleming made famous in his 1953 James Bond novel, "Casino Royale" — is damn near impossible to recreate in a Utah bar. That's near impossible, not totally impossible. This is where knowledgeable and creative bartenders earn their stripes. 

"In a cocktail, you can have 1.5 ounces of primary alcohol and up to 1 ounce of secondary alcohol," Scott Gardner, co-owner of Salt Lake City's Water Witch, told Chilled. "So, a couple classics are tricky in Utah, but can easily be worked around. For instance, a Vesper would utilize both vodka and gin, and can be built a bit more stiff — if that's what you're looking for." The same workaround in a whiskey-forward cocktail like an Old Fashioned may look like a base pour of bourbon combined with a secondary shot of rye. Yep, it's complicated. That's why a lot of Utah bars offer a set menu of creative cocktails; libations that pack a kick, but don't break the law.

Speaking of bars, we should be clear. In Utah, a bar is a bar. A club is a club. And a restaurant that also has a bar, is a restaurant. Different rules apply depending on the type of establishment. To further complicate matters, distilleries and breweries that are open to the public operate by a whole different set of rules. Take heart: Every establishment is required by law to post a sign that clearly identifies its category.

In a nutshell, the minimum age for ordering an alcoholic beverage in a bar or club is 21. People under 21 are not allowed in bars or clubs, but they can join friends and family in a restaurant that serves alcohol as long as they do not enter the bar or lounge area. Restaurant patrons are required to order food with alcoholic beverages. Bars may serve food, but it's okay to have a drink on its own. For distilleries and breweries open to the public — and there are quite a few high-caliber operations that you can't skip on a trip to Salt Lake City — food service may be available, but ordering something to eat is not a prerequisite for imbibing.

One more caveat. If you happen to live in one of the 42 U.S. states where some form of happy hour — that oh-so-welcome time of day when bars lure patrons with discounted drinks and apps — is a thing, you'll be at a loss in Utah. The Beehive State is one of eight where laws prohibit happy hour. You may see signs for "appy hour," and rest assured, it's not a typo. While bars in Utah are prohibited from promoting regularly scheduled events centered on reduced-priced cocktails, the law doesn't apply to appetizers.