In case you’ve been remiss in following liquor law tweaks this year, or perhaps forgot in a haze of egg nogs this holiday season, here’s your reminder: as of January 1st, 2026, you’ll need your ID at all Utah bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and grocery stores to purchase alcohol. No exceptions.
When I say no exceptions, the new legislation really means it. Every person, regardless of appearance or familiarity with staff, needs to show a valid ID on each and every visit, should they purchase alcohol. You can read the full guidance on the incoming changes here on the DABS website. This new policy replaces the status quo of requiring checks only on those appearing under a certain age limit.
From the first-time drinker celebrating their 21st birthday, the seasoned 85-year-old, through grizzled regulars propping up the bar at their local – I’ll need to see your ID, please.
The new law, which comes as part of H.B. 437 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”.
The impact of the bill will be most apparent at bars. At this point, it’s worth noting a good number of the city’s better dining options are increasingly turning towards the flexibility that a bar license affords. In turn, out of an abundance of caution, many already require blanket ID checks at the point of entry – regardless of the patron’s intent to imbibe – not at the point of sale. That means, even if you have no intent to drink at a 21+ licensed venue, you’re more than likely not getting through the door without a valid ID.
Speaking of which, the DABS currently advises the following on what constitutes a valid ID:
Acceptable forms of identification include:
A valid passport
A valid U.S. driver’s license
A valid U.S. military identification card with a date of birth and a photo
A valid U.S. state issued identification card.
A driving privilege card allows an individual the privilege to operate a motor vehicle in Utah, these cards are not valid for proof of age. Vertical driver’s license should be inspected for date of birth.
Those requirements are worth special review for International visitors coming to Utah. If you’re planning on deploying your international driver’s license, with a dollop of charm, you ain’t getting through the door. Be sure to carry your passport with you, should you be headed to a bar or restaurant, with plans on sampling a glass or two.
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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”.
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Excited for your knowledge, comments, advice in this area
It’s one thing to SHOW your ID to prove your age, but I don’t like it having the back of my id scanned. EVERYTHING written on the front of your ID, not just your age, is on that barcode. Your address, your dimensions, etc.
Again, if don’t mind having my age verified because I showed my iD, I object to having all of the data on my iD scanned into a database.
I’m embarrassed. Again the church on government speed dial. Church and state should be separated not in this state . It’s not body’s business if you drink. Just like it’s nobody’s business what you do in the bedroom. They have to much control
I saw the impact of this type of law when liquor stores became required to see all IDs. Little old lady buying wine, doesn’t have an ID because she no longer drives and hers expired, and she didn’t bother getting a state ID instead. They did not sell to her (I assume she had someone waiting in the car that later came in to help, but that’s just a guess). I’ve also been with a friend who forgot her wallet and so we had to find somewhere else to get dinner that didn’t scan at the door. I think people who live here will get used to it, but it will have some pretty silly consequences.
mmm.. I’ll use my passport. Scr.. it!
Big brother taking charge. Utah only takes 570 million dollors in alcohol sales each year. Dont kno bout you, but Nevada, Colorado,Arizona, Wyoming dont scan !
Well I guess on a positive note it my discourage people from coming here to ski and the traffic up LCC will be a little less and the Olympics won’t be a cluster fk of people cloging up the roads, sewer system, and drinking what little water we have left.
A alcoholic will always get their alcohol! It is a short drive to stock up!! Best way to solve what they are trying to do is mandatory pee test of extrema Drunk Drivers.. Once a week for 1 year, 2 year, 3 year, forever! I agree do everything possible to get them off the road, but this won’t do it! You can still use a passport or passport card so this does nothing for those that want their boos!
I think Utahn’s will get use to it and be fine, but tourists may not return….
As usual the Mor(m)ons are in control. I hate this state because of the church and politicians, but love the state for it’s beauty and what was once a less populated area. As I’ve done in the past and will continue to do I will shop out of state whilst I get my lottery tickets, gummies, shrooms, and now alcohol, etc. Utah politics just SUCK!!! It’s an election year peoples. Vote them all out!