Everything You Need to Know About Utah's Liquor Regulations

Written by Staff Writer

Alcohol regulations in the Beehive State are some of the strictest in the country. Every aspect of beverage service is tightly controlled to ensure responsible use and public safety.

This article will help you find the training you need to legally work as a bartender, waiter, sales clerk or other employee in the industry.

Categorization

The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS) separates drinks into two categories: beer and liquor. Each has specific regulations:

Beer

By statute, this term refers to traditionally brewed drinks that contain 5% or less alcohol by volume (ABV). By law, distributors can sell to retail businesses like restaurants and bars. However, business owners must have local and regional licenses to purchase from distributors and serve brews.

Liquor

This term encompasses all products with an ABV above 5%, including distilled spirits, wine, flavored malt beverages and "strong" or "heavy" ales. All packaged liquor is exclusively sold in state-owned liquor stores or state-authorized package agencies, with state-regulated prices. Like other drinks, businesses serving liquor on-premises must obtain local and regional licenses.

Alcohol Consumption Regulations in Utah

That doesn't mean that patrons can only consume pre-packaged spirits. Thirsty customers may purchase wine, cocktails and other libations at a variety of establishments. DABS recognizes three narrowly defined types of licensed establishments.

Full-Service Restaurants

Full-service restaurants can serve all restricted beverages, including beer, wine and spirits. Patrons must order food with their drinks, although the food does not have to be purchased simultaneously.

Limited-Service Restaurants

Limited-service restaurants can only serve beer and wine; they cannot serve stronger drinks. Like full-service restaurants, food must be ordered with any beverage.

Bars

Bars in the Beehive State can serve all types of restricted beverages, including beer, wine and spirits. Unlike restaurants, bars are not required to serve food with drinks. However, they are still responsible for ensuring that they do not serve intoxicated or underaged patrons.

Bring Your Own Beverage (BYOB)

It is against the law to BYOB or “brown bag” in most cases. However, at the discretion of the licensee, a patron may bring a bottle of wine into a licensed establishment. The bottle must be opened by staff and the business may charge a corkage fee. Patrons cannot leave with an open container. Customers may bring the unfinished portion home only if certified staff reseal the container.

Utah's Alcohol Sales Restrictions

All of that would already be challenging enough to remember. But there's more. You may have to deal with special restrictions or unusual exceptions while dispensing drinks. Beverage regulations and taxes have a habit of changing from time to time. Staying up to date with special cases in Utah liquor laws makes life hard for bar owners and grocery clerks alike. Here are some important things to remember.

Sunday Sales and Holidays

Title 32B restricts sales on Sundays. State liquor stores, which sell higher ABV beer, wine and spirits, are closed every Sunday. Not all businesses abide by that rule, however:

  • Breweries, Wineries and Distilleries: These establishments can sell their products on Sundays, including to-go bottles, provided they remain sealed while on the premises.
  • Daily Operation Licenses: Many breweries and similar establishments operate under licenses that allow them to sell products every day of the week, including Sundays.
  • Special Licenses for Resorts and Venues: Certain resorts and venues may have special licenses permitting Sunday sales. For instance, bars, restaurants and some resorts can sell brews on Sundays under particular licensing conditions.

Holiday Restrictions

Liquor stores are closed on major holidays. In contrast, restaurants and bars can continue operating with regular service hours. An exception exists for certain distilleries, which can sell directly to customers on holidays.

Notable Changes to the Law

In June 2022, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC) rebranded itself as the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS). This rebranding emphasizes a service-oriented approach, reflecting the department's commitment to better serving the community while continuing to regulate sales and distribution.

Another significant change resulted from the passage of SB 132, which increased the permissible ABV limits for drinks sold in grocery and convenience stores. Previously, these stores could only sell products with an ABV of up to 3.2%. However, with SB 132, this limit was raised, allowing for the sale of drinks with an ABV of up to 5%.

This adjustment brought the Beehive State more in line with its neighbors, offering consumers a broader selection of options in their local grocery stores. For local businesses, this change means offering customers a wider variety of brews, catering to different tastes and preferences.

Liquor Licenses in Utah

Even with major changes, local rules are still more stringent than most. Selling or serving without a DABS license is illegal. While businesses hold the actual license, all bartenders, store clerks or other workers must meet several certification requirements, which include:

  • Working for a business that holds a current license
  • Undergoing a criminal background check
  • Completing an approved alcohol awareness training program
  • Being at least as old as Utah's legal drinking age (21 years old) to serve in any capacity

Dram Shop Law

Title 32B of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act contains a dram shop law. Under 32B-15-201, licensees may be held responsible for certain alcohol-related crimes in Utah. For example, if an establishment overserves an intoxicated patron or provides alcohol to a minor, and that customer goes on to break DUI laws in Utah, the establishment (and its employees) can be held liable for damages.

That's just one reason why every beverage worker in the Beehive State must complete mandatory training.

Training Categories

All individuals employed to sell or serve in a licensed establishment, as well as managers, must complete an approved training. Eliminating Alcohol Sales to Youth, or E.A.S.Y. training, must be completed before the first day of work for off-premise employees. On-premise server training must be completed within 30 days of hire.

Workers must repeat the certification process every three years.

Seller Server Online is a DABS-approved trainer of both responsible beverage service programs.

On-Premise Server Training

This course is designed for on-premise employees like bartenders, servers and wait staff working in bars, restaurants, clubs or hotels. If customers order and consume drinks where you work, this is the training for you.

Course content covers a wide range of topics, including:

  • Laws and regulations
  • Responsible serving techniques
  • ID verification
  • Responding to related emergencies
  • Understanding the effects of alcohol on the body
  • Individual and establishment liabilities
  • And more

Completing this course will give you the knowledge and skills necessary to serve alcoholic beverages safely and responsibly at work.

E.A.S.Y. or Off-Premise Training

E.A.S.Y. Off-Premise Certification is required for individuals who sell sealed brews to-go, such as grocery stores and convenience stores.

This is not the same as the mandatory training that employees of state-run liquor stores must complete. E.A.S.Y. is designed for workers in private stores.

Some of the topics covered in this course include:

  • Identification and age verification practices
  • Preventing sales to minors
  • Consequences for violations
  • Recognizing signs of intoxication
  • Legal sales restrictions
  • And more

After completing this training, you'll be able to effectively check IDs, prevent sales to minors, recognize signs of intoxication and confidently handle challenging situations.

Manager Training

Managers and others with supervisory roles must take an extra training course. You can sign up for the required class directly on the DABS website.

Learn Online with Seller Server Online

Understanding Utah's alcohol laws isn't hard. Seller Server Online is your DABS-approved source for Utah alcohol training. Our 100% online courses are available 24/7 from any internet-connected device. Learn everything you need to know without leaving home or setting foot in a classroom.

We even handle all the paperwork for you. Your course completion is reported automatically to the state. Instead of filling and mailing forms, you can instantly download and print your certificate of completion and official card as soon as you pass the final exam.

Don't wait! Sign up and start learning today!