Utah Beer Laws in 2023 (Sunday Sales, Delivery, Where To Buy)

Utah has historically been known for having outdated beer laws. Utah’s beer laws have come a long way, though, and the state has made it easier to purchase beer.

Keep reading for a comprehensive look at Utah’s beer laws, when you can buy it, and other rules regarding the ABV of beer allowed in bars, restaurants, and retail locations.

Is Utah a dry state?

A dry area is one where alcohol sales or consumption are either extremely limited or illegal. There are no dry states in the United States.

Utah is not a dry state. However, there are a handful of cities that do not sell alcohol or only allow it with the purchase of a beverage. 

These cities fall within counties in Utah, and such rules apply specifically to these cities.

Does Utah have any dry counties?

Utah is not a dry state and does not have any dry counties. It does have dry cities and towns.

As of 2018 in Utah, there are 9 dry cities:

  • Aneth – The possession, manufacture, or delivery of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
  • Aurora
  • Blanding – The sale of alcoholic beverages has been prohibited since 1967.
  • Hatch
  • Highland
  • Holden
  • Navajo Mountain – The possession, manufacture, or delivery of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
  • Scipio
  • White Mesa

When can you buy beer in Utah?

Different places in Utah sell beer at different times. These can vary from city to city and from location to location. 

You can buy beer in Utah any day of the week, including Sundays. Bars and restaurants are open at 10 a.m. at the earliest but gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores can sell beer during all hours of operation.

Certain cities may separate laws from what the state allows, but the rules in this guide are at the state level.

Can you buy beer on Sunday in Utah?

You can buy beer on Sunday in Utah.

On Sundays in Utah, restaurants with a limited license can sell beer from 10:30 a.m. to midnight. You must order food to be able to drink beer at restaurants in Utah. Beer-only locations like taverns, bowling alleys, and ski resorts sell beer on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

These Sunday times also apply to legal holidays.

When do bars close in Utah?

Patrons can order beer any day at a bar in Utah.

Bars in Utah are open any day from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Bars can serve draft beer of 5% ABV and lower – beer higher than 5% ABV must be sold in cans or bottles.

You don’t need to order food to have a drink at a bar in Utah.

Where can you buy beer in Utah?

Heavy beer – those that have a greater than 5% ABV – purchased to-go must be done so at a Utah state liquor store or from the brewery itself. Other than that, there are few places to purchase beer, each with some kind of stipulation.

Locations that sell beer in Utah include:

  • Bars and restaurants
  • Gas stations
  • Grocery stores
  • Liquor stores
  • Breweries and taprooms

These locations have different rules and regulations for the kind of beer they can sell and when.

Continue reading for more information on when these places can sell beer, how much beer they can sell, and when they can sell it.

Bars and restaurants

Bars in Utah can sell beer any day from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m, including Sundays. Restaurants can sell beer Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m and 10:30 to midnight on Sundays. Heavy beer sales in bars and restaurants stop at midnight. You must dine in at a restaurant to be able to drink a beer there.

Bars and restaurants offer beer on tap. As of June 1, 2022, Utah bars and restaurants have the option to sell beer to-go.

Gas stations

Gas stations and convenience stores in Utah sell beer from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day. These locations can only acquire beer-only licensees and offer non-heavy beer in original packaging.

These locations sell cans and bottles of beer.

Grocery stores

Grocery stores in Utah can sell non-heavy beer any day from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. These stores do not require the purchase of food or other grocery items with the purchase of beer.

Utah grocery stores sell beer in 12 oz. cans or bottles.

Package and liquor stores

Liquor stores in Utah are the only place to buy heavy beer to-go. These stores can range in hours of operation and some close as early as 7 p.m. This is where you can buy beer without limits on quantity or ABV.

Utah liquor stores sell beer in cans and bottles in a variety of sizes from 12 oz. cases to 24 oz. singles.

Breweries and taprooms

Breweries and taprooms in Utah are open every day from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. but most close at midnight at the latest. Hours can differ among different breweries. Sunday sales are permitted and breweries with full-service licenses do not require the sale of food with the sale of beer.

Breweries in Utah can fill growlers if the beer on tap is lower than 5%. These locations can sell heavy beer until midnight.

Can you get beer delivered in Utah?

Beer delivery in Utah is currently unavailable. Although efforts have been made to legalize it, beer delivery is illegal indefinitely.

You cannot get beer delivered in Utah. 

What is the minimum drinking age in Utah?

The minimum drinking age in the United States is 21. There are some exceptions in a few states for minors to have a beer with their parents, but Utah is not one of them.

The minimum drinking age in Utah is 21.

It is illegal for minors to consume alcohol, and those selling it are required to check the verified I.D. of anyone they presume to be under 21. Violations of this rule can result in legal action against an individual seller or business entity.

Can minors drink beer in Utah with their parents?

Some states allow parents to give their kids alcohol during dinner or permit minors to have a drink for religious purposes.

It is illegal for minors to drink beer in Utah under any circumstance. Both the child and parent or parents could face legal consequences for furnishing a minor with beer.

It’s illegal for minors in Utah to possess alcohol.

Drinking laws in Utah

Utah has some of the most fluid beer and alcohol laws in the country. It can be hard to pin down accurate laws and legal dos and don’ts of the state drinking.

In general, beer can be purchased in most places in Utah. It was the first state to reduce legal BAC for drinking and driving to 0.08% from 0.10%, and then again to 0.05%.

Utah has made recent changes to modernize its beer laws, but some, even ones that have just been introduced, are still dated.

Can you buy growlers and other unsealed beer containers in Utah?

Growler fills are still illegal in Utah. However, pre-packaged growlers are legal.

Growlers that are pre-packed in sealed containers from a licensed brewery are legal and can be sold from breweries. Sixty-four-ounce growlers are the largest container of beer that an individual can buy in Utah.

Open container

Open container laws in Utah are similar to those in other states, and they’re straightforward.

Open containers are illegal in Utah for both drivers and passengers in motor vehicles. This does not apply to passengers of motorboats, taxis, or limousines.

Violation of this law is a class C misdemeanor and can result in up to 90 days in jail and up to a $750 fine.

Driving

Driving under the influence is illegal in Utah.

The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% and anything higher can result in a DUI conviction.

Under 21 years old

Utah has a zero-tolerance policy for underage driving.

Anyone under the age of 21 with any amount of alcohol in their blood while operating a motor vehicle can be convicted of DUI and face consequences depending on the number of previous offenses.

Penalties are also contingent on the outcome of your alcohol test when you get pulled over for underage drinking and driving.

21 years and older

The legal BAC limit in Utah changed in 2019

The legal limit for drinking and driving in Utah for those over 21 years old is 0.05% BAC. Violation of this law results in different consequences depending on the number of prior convictions, ranging from $1,310-2,850 in fines and 180 days to five years in prison.

Second- and third-time offenders of this law will have their license suspended for at least two years.

Summary of Utah’s beer and alcohol laws

In Utah, you can buy beer at all licensed retailers every day. Bars are open from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m but must cease the sale of heavy beers (those with an ABV greater than 5%) at midnight. Restaurants can sell beer Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m and from 10:30 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. Only liquor stores may sell heavy beer to go.

Plan on traveling? Check out all of the beer and alcohol laws by state on our interactive map!