Utah Set to Relax Liquor Laws to Boost Tourism

Utah will loosen its liquor laws next month in a bid to boost tourism and bring alcohol sales practices closer in line with those in other states, the Washington Times reported June 22.

On July 1, Utah will do away with a 40-year-old private-club system that required drinkers to first buy a membership from a bar or other alcohol-serving establishment. Formerly state-mandated glass partitions that separated bartenders from customers also will be removed.

“This really sends the message that Salt Lake City, with its 1.2 million residents, is a lot more like other cities than unlike other cities,” said Scott Beck, president and CEO of the Salt Lake City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Both laws were unique to the state and representative of Utah’s strong connection to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which strongly discourages members from drinking alcohol.

In relaxing liquor laws, the state legislature also agreed to tighten DUI laws and required bars to scan the driver’s licenses of anyone who looks to be under age 35.