Utah's new liquor laws to bring changes

Utah's liquor regulations can be confusing -- and the changes to club laws that go into effect at midnight are no exception.

It's true that clubs no longer will be required to charge membership fees or ask patrons to fill out applications before they can buy a drink. But here's where it can get bewildering.

Starting Wednesday, there will be two types of new clubs. A dining club, such as Squatters Brew Pub, will be more like a restaurant, while a social club, such as Lumpy's, will be the equivalent of an open public bar.

There are differences in how each treats minors: they can come into a dining club if accompanied an adult, but cannot enter social clubs. And in dining clubs, 50 percent of all receipts must come from food sales, while the only food requirement in a social club is that it be available.

In both clubs, patrons will be able to order an alcoholic beverage with or without food from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., with an extra hour to allow people to finish their drinks before doors close at 2 a.m.

Although dining clubs may look like a restaurant, there are differences here, too ... Diners at restaurants (not to be confused with dining clubs) must order food along with their drinks, and 70 percent of restaurant receipts must be for meals. Unlike the two types of clubs, restaurant diners may not wander from one table to another with a drink in their hand. And at restaurants, diners may order a beer after 10 a.m., but they cannot get liquor until noon. No drinks are allowed to be served at restaurants after midnight.

If you're not confused yet, here's one more twist. Not all private clubs will go away. Some bars will continue charging fees and requiring patrons to fill out applications to become members.

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