After a relatively busy 2024 update to Utah’s liquor laws, this year’s edition ultimately yielded few major updates. Indeed, a possible relaxation of proximity laws was shot down, the legislature instead preferring to keep licensing control at the state, rather than local, level. Maybe next time eh. So what’s new this year? Let’s jump right into that headline, lest you berate me for burying the lede…
Interdicted persons and ID checks
Effective January 1st, 2026
Expect to hear a lot about this one. While this update won’t come into force until next year, it’s one that will affect numerous patrons of bars and restaurants across the state.
H.B. 437 is the bill you want to pay attention to, and one that allows for persons to be designated as interdicted. The status is primarily intended for those convicted of extreme DUIs, but also allows for individuals with alcohol issues to opt in. Once marked as such, an individual must surrender their driver’s license or state ID; in return, receiving new identification marking the person as interdicted, with the ID itself clearly stating “No Alcohol Sale”.
As part of this implementation, 437 requires that “On-premise licensees must ID check every customer before serving or selling them alcohol, or allowing access to a bar, regardless of age appearance”. The change is profound. From the first-time drinker celebrating their 21st birthday, through the seasoned 85-year-old – I’ll need to see your ID, please.
While the impact of the bill will be most apparent at bars (entering the premises alone will require a swift ID check) don’t forget that many of our better restaurants are licensed as bars. And remember, the rule is such that it doesn’t mean if you’re a regular, or otherwise, the business is required to confirm a patron is not interdicted on each visit, or purchase of alcohol in the case of restaurants. No exceptions.
It’s worth noting at this point that many 21+ businesses already enact a blanket policy of checking IDs, though the number of complaints this generates is notable. A legal mandate state wide will no doubt cause no amount of grumbles. The language itself specifies that dining clubs, bars, taverns, full and limited service restaurants, and beer only restaurants fall under the required checks; but not grocery stores, best I can tell. Though presumably, one could see many larger businesses erring on the side of caution here as well.
Lastly, incoming legislation also requires the DABS to ensure “proper ID scanners have the necessary technology to identify both in-state and out-of-state IDs that indicate whether the individual is prohibited from purchasing alcohol. Passports remain an acceptable form of ID.”
So, what else this year…
Legalized “straw testing”
Effective May 7th, 2025
As incredulous as this one might seem, it’s technically illegal for a bartender to test their mixological creation before handing it over to you. Any form of imbibing on the clock is banned under Utah liquor law, even via the widely employed straw test you’ll see up and down the country. You know the one – the bartender dips a tasting straw into your drink, removing nano-drops of a beverage to sample.
Per the date above, this practice will now be legal in Utah. Sommeliers out there, don’t get too excited just yet. The DABS notes that, “This has historically been illegal under consumption-on-duty regulations and is now permitted. All other consumption-on-duty is still not permitted, only straw testing for quality control of craft cocktails is now allowed.”
Canned cocktails to be served in a glass
Effective May 7th, 2025
The laws around the relatively new canned cocktail products have been swirling for some time. The latest update to Utah’s code allows canned cocktails to also be served in an open glass, provided of course the business has the relevant license, e.g. full-service restaurants and bars.
In turn the canned cocktail must not exceed 12 ounces and be 10% ABV or less, and must either be, “provided to the guest unopened, in its original sealed container that the guest then opens to consume; or the employee opens the can and pours it into a glass or other open container.”
Curbside pickup at grocery and convenience stores
Effective May 7th, 2025
I’ll raise a stein to this one. Curbside pickup is now back at grocery stores. The DBAS writes that, “Grocery and convenience stores that allow customers to order products online and pick up curbside can now include alcohol products in that pickup. Participating stores must maintain video surveillance on the pickup stalls and continue to adhere to age verification requirements.”
Proximity requirements waived for businesses located within the Point of the Mountain development project
Effective May 7th, 2025
This one gives me a little hope that we might indeed see proximity turned over to local control in future legislative updates. Here’s the language provided by the DABS:
“Proximity requirements refer to businesses with licensing to serve alcohol for consumption on-premise such as restaurants and bars. These businesses must be a specified number of measured feet from a “community location,” which includes parks and playgrounds. The new law allows for the local government to provide consent to businesses that are located in the Point of the Mountain development project, enabling them to possibly be licensed for on-premise alcohol consumption while located near a park or connected trails that are at least 12-acres.”
This update effectively allows what many would like to see statewide, the ceding of proximity control to a local community, albeit this update only applies to tightly geobounded area. I’m a glass half full kinda guy, so I like to take this one as the state, gently floating the idea of local control. Watch this space.
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Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC. I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.
I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV. Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.
Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.
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