Drinking in Salt Lake City

Cheers to the Liquor Laws in Salt Lake City

For many, the ACEP annual meeting is a social event including nights out with friends and a drink or two. But there may be some misconceptions about the availability of alcohol in Utah.

Salt Lake is a vibrant urban metropolis with a bar scene full of live music, chef-driven food, skilled mixologists, and plenty of open-air patios for taking in the amazing views of the nearby Wasatch Mountains.

ACEP25 hosts an AA meeting during the conference week - time coming soon.

FAQs About Drinking in Utah

Where can I buy a cocktail, glass of wine, or a beer in Utah?

Liquor, wine, and beer are available at licensed restaurants and bars seven days a week. Alcoholic beverage service in a licensed restaurant requires that food be ordered with your drink.

Beer may be also purchased in establishments that have a "beer only" type license. These include taverns, beer bars, some restaurants or cafes, snack bars, etc. Beer service in a tavern or bar does not require that you order food. Persons under the age of 21 years may not be on the premises of certain "beer only" establishments.

Where can I buy alcoholic beverages to go?

State Liquor Stores: All packaged liquor, wine, and heavy beer (more than 5% ABV) must be purchased from a Utah state liquor store. The closest location to the Salt Palace Convention Center is about a 18-20 minute walk or a 5 minute drive. Get a complete list of all store and package agency locations here.
Grocery and Convenience Stores: Beer and similar products like hard seltzers may be purchased at most grocery and convenience stores in Utah. Wine is not available in grocery stores and can only be bought at authorized state stores.
Hotels: Alcohol must be ordered through the front desk, as they just need to check IDs.

Can I bring alcoholic beverages into Utah?

A person who enters Utah may possess for personal consumption and not for sale or resale, a maximum of nine liters of liquor purchased from outside the state.

Can minors be admitted to an alcohol-licensed establishment?

You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase, possess, or be provided with any alcoholic beverage. Minors are allowed at restaurants, but they are not allowed at bars or taverns.

When is closing time at Utah bars and restaurants?

Bars may serve all types of alcohol from 10:00 a.m. until 12:59 a.m.

Taverns may sell beer from 10:00 a.m. until 12:59 a.m.

Restaurants can serve alcohol from 11:30 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. during weekdays, and from 10:30 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on weekends.

What are Utah's DUI laws?

Utah’s blood alcohol content limit is 0.05 percent, marking the strictest DUI law in the country.
There is great coverage of the metropolitan area with taxis, Uber and LYFT and Utah Transit authority busses and light rail, making it easy to get around for a night on the town.

Can you drink in public in Utah?

No. State law prohibits consuming liquor in public places.
A person may not be intoxicated in a public place to a degree as to endanger himself or another, or unreasonably disturb others. Consuming or having an open container of alcohol in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is prohibited.

As a general rule, alcoholic beverage may not be brought into an establishment that’s open to the general public if it is to be consumed on the premises. Wine may be brought into a restaurant that is licensed to sell wine. Corkage fees vary by restaurant.

Exceptions are only when consuming alcohol at a public or community event that is permitted by the state to sell and serve alcoholic beverages.