To appreciate what the new liquor law means to Utah, take a look at Squatters, the restaurant and brewpub on 300 South in downtown Salt Lake City.
Before July 1, Squatters was a restaurant. At least, parts of it were. Another part—the parts that looked like a bar—was a tavern, aka a beer bar. Squatters’ patrons could drink beer at the bar. Some beer, that is. From their barstools, they could watch special beers with higher-than-3.2 percent alcohol being manufactured through glass directly behind the bar counter at the on-site brewery. But if they wanted to drink one of those strong beers, they had to be sitting at a table in the restaurant portion of the building. And they had to be eating food.
Inevitably, one of the would-be Squatters’ diners seated at the bar while waiting for a table would want a glass of wine and servers would have to launch into a lengthy explanation about how that was impossible unless they were seated 3 feet away in a different part of the building.
“I always said the less you knew about Utah liquor law, the easier it was to understand,” says Joe Lambert, a partner in Squatters, which is located in a tourist-heavy area near the Salt Palace. “It can be so confusing that, as you would try to explain it, people would just throw up their hands and say, ‘Can I get a drink or not?’ We had people just walk out.”
That all went away July 1 when Squatters turned in its old licenses and became a “dining club.” The restaurant applied for a club license in anticipation of the new liquor law. Under the old system, becoming a club would have meant requiring memberships and risking being even more off-putting to tourists. Under the new law in which clubs are public, Lambert says the switch makes Squatters “more like the real world. It’s going to be so much easier for our guests to understand.”
In addition to being able to order whatever you’d like to drink, wherever you are in Squatters, the new licensing will allow Squatters to sell high-alcohol beer in jugs out the front door. It plans the first release, an Octoberfest, for September 1. You can even sit down to Sunday brunch at Squatters and order a Bloody Mary before noon.
Not that Squatters would encourage it, says Jenny Talley, Squatters brewmaster, but, “You’ll be able to come in, have a shot of tequila, then go to church on Sunday.” Remember, though, you can only order drinks on Sunday mornings at bars, not restaurants (where you still need to wait till noon to order a drink).
Under Utah’s new liquor laws, the state is no longer in the private-club business. At midnight July 1, as if the fairy godmother had waived her wand, Utah’s “private clubs” automatically became public places. Likewise with so-called “dining clubs” such as the New Yorker. Never again will state alcohol inspectors ask to see the establishments’ books of members. Gone is the state-imposed minimum $4 “membership fee.” The state of Utah doesn’t care anymore.
However, recognizing that some club owners liked the old system—whether because of the extra revenue from membership fees or because “members-only” was a ready excuse to keep out troublemakers—the Utah Legislature has left open the option for clubs to restrict entrance to those who are “on a list and/or pay a fee.” In the new post-private club era, the rules of membership are up individual club owners. (Fraternal clubs, like the Elks or Moose, and “equity clubs,” like golf clubs, are not impacted by the new liquor law. Both will continue to operate as private entities.)
Below is a list of clubs going “public” after July 1 followed by those that will remain a members-only system. Those who have opted not to change offered varying reasons, such as wanting to be able to offer patrons an exclusive experience. A few worried that hanging up the “public” sign could attract unsavory characters. One club located inside of a hotel wanted to make sure hotel guests got a seat at the bar. Others wanted to see how the new liquor law worked before making changes. Many more said they hadn’t yet made up their minds, or didn’t understand the law.
And while we attempted to contact every DABC club licensee prior to our deadline, not every club returned our calls. Thus, not every club is listed, and information below is subject to change.
(Club listings information compiled by Jamie Gadette)
Going Public (No Membership Required)
Clubs | Address | City | Phone | |
5 MONKEYS | 4800 S. 7 East | MURRAY | 801-266-1885 | |
A BAR NAMED SUE | 3928 S. Highland Dr | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-274-5578 | |
ABYSS | 1390 W. North Temple | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-521-8500 | |
AERIE LOUNGE | Snowbird Resort | SNOWBIRD | 801-933-2160 | |
AREA 51 | 348 W. 500 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-534-0819 | |
BARBARY COAST | 4242 S. State | MURRAY | 801-265-9889 | |
BATTER'S UP | 1717 S. Main | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-463-4996 | |
BAYOU | 645 S. State | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-961-8400 | |
BLISS | 404 S. West Temple | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-363-3734 | |
BONGO | 2965 Highland Dr | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-466-1577 | |
BURT'S TIKI LOUNGE | 726 S. State | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-521-0572 | |
CANYON INN | 3700 E 7000 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-942-9801 | |
CAROL'S COVE II | 3424 S. State | SOUTH SALT LAKE CITY | 801-466-2683 | |
CELL BLOCK | 1051 S. 300 West | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-521-0929 | |
CHEERS TO YOU | 315 S. Main | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-575-6400 | |
CHUCKLE'S LOUNGE | 221 W. 900 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-532-9810 | |
CLOUSEAU'S | Embassy Suites 110 W. 600 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-359-7800 | |
CLUB 114 | 5151 Wiley Post Way | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-539-1515 | |
CLUB 48 | 16 W. 4800 South | MURRAY | 801-262-7555 | |
CLUB 90 | 9065 S. 150 West | SANDY | 801-566-3254 | |
CLUB ALLURE | 8925 S. 255 West | SANDY | 801-255-2078 | |
CLUB BAMBARA | 15 W. 200 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 860-363-5454 | |
CLUB EDGE | 615 N. 400 West | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-913-9422 | |
CLUB TUSCANY | 2832 E. 6200 South | HOLLADAY | 801-277-9919 | |
CLUB VEGAS | 445 S. 400 West | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-360-0841 | |
COPPER CANYON TAVERN | 215 W. South Temple | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-531-7500 | |
COPPER KING I | 9071 W. 2700 South | MAGNA | 801-252-1226 | |
CRUZRS SALOON | 3943 Highland Dr | HOLLIDAY | 801-272-1903 | |
D.J.'S PRIVATE CLUB | 3849 W. 5400 South | TAYLORSVILLE | 801-964-8575 | |
DAVID'S | 2324 S. Redwood Rd | WEST VALLEY CITY | 801-972-9688 | |
DESTINATIONS | SLC Marriott 75 S. West Temple | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-531-0800 | |
DONKEY TAILS CANTINA | 136 E. 12300 South | DRAPER | 801-571-8134 | |
DONOVAN'S STEAK & CHOP HOUSE | 134 W. Pierpont Ave | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-359-4464 | |
DUCES WILD | 2750 S. 300 West | SOUTH SALT LAKE | 801-467-4600 | |
EL CHANATE CANTINA | Snowbird Resort | SNOWBIRD | 801-933-2025 | |
FIDDLERS ELBOW | 1063 E. 2100 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-463-9393 | |
FILLING STATION | 8987 W. 2700 South | MAGNA | 801-250-1970 | |
FIRST PRESS | 150 W. 500 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-323-7576 | |
FRANKIE & JOHNNIE'S BAR & GRILL | #3 W. 4800 South | MURRAY | 801-263-0072 | |
GIBSON GIRL LOUNGE | Grand America 555 S. Main | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-258-6000 | |
GINO'S | 3556 S. State | SOUTH SALT LAKE | 801-268-1811 | |
GOOD SPIRITS | 999 W. 3300 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-263-0411 | |
GRACIE'S | 326 S. West Temple | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-819-7565 | |
GRANITE CLUB | 3820 Highland Dr | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-277-9018 | |
GREEN STREET | 610 Trolley Square | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-532-5108 | |
HAMPTON INN & SUITES | 307 N. Admiral Blvd | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-530-0088 | |
HIGHLANDER CLUB | 6194 Highland Dr | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-277-8251 | |
HILTON GARDEN INN | 250 W. 600 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-521-2930 | |
HOG WALLOW PUB | 3200 Big Cottonwood Cyn | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-733-5567 | |
HOTEL | 155 W. 200 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-478-4310 | |
HUDDLE SPORTS BAR | 2400 E. Fort Union Blvd | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-438-8300 | |
HUKA BAR & GRILL | 151 E. 6100 South | MURRAY | 801-281-9665 | |
JACKALOPE LOUNGE | 372 S. State | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-359-8054 | |
JOHNNY'S ON SECOND | 165 E. 200 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-746-3334 | |
JUNIORS TAVERN | 30 E. Broadway | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-322-0318 | |
KEYS ON MAIN | 242 S. Main | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-363-3638 | |
KRISTAUF'S | 16 W. Market St | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-366-9490 | |
LEPRECHAUN INN | 4700 S. 900 East | MURRAY | 801-268-3294 | |
LIQUID JOE'S | 1249 E. 3300 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-467-8512 | |
LODGE BISTRO LOUNGE | Snowbird Resort | SNOWBIRD | 801-933-2145 | |
LOFTE'S | 2106 W. North Temple | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-741-1188 | |
LUCKY 13 | 135 W. 1300 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-487-4418 | |
LUMPYS | 3000 Highland Dr | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-484-5597 | |
LUMPYS DOWNTOWN | 145 W. Pierpont Ave | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-938-3070 | |
MAGGIE MCGEE'S | 6253 Highland Dr | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-273-9899 | |
MANNY'S TOO | 1704 S. Main | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-467-6289 | |
MARKET STREET OYSTER BAR | 10702 Riverfront Pkwy | SOUTH JORDAN | 801-302-2262 | |
MARKET STREET OYSTER BAR | 54 Market St | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-531-6044 | |
MARKET STREET OYSTER BAR | 2985 E. Cottonwood Pkwy | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-942-8870 | |
MIXED EMOTIONS | 1030 S. State | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-355-8055 | |
MOLLY GREENS PUB | Brighton Ski Resort | BRIGHTON | 801-532-4731 | |
MURPHY'S BAR & GRILL | 160 S. Main | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-359-7271 | |
NEW YORKER | 60 Market St | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-363-0166 | |
OLD YELLOWSTONE GARAGE | 1199 Beck St | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-521-3904 | |
ON THE ROCKS | 5400 S. 6200 West | WEST VALLEY CITY | 801-988-8800 | |
ORANGE | 533 S. 500 West | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-433-3358 | |
OSCARS SOCIAL CLUB | 8136 S. State | MIDVALE | 801-566-3399 | |
O'SHUCKS | 22 E. 100 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-596-8600 | |
PETE'S BEARS DEN | 8785 W. 2700 South | MAGNA | 801-250-6616 | |
PINKY'S | 4141 S. State | MURRAY | 801-261-3463 | |
PIPER DOWN | 1492 S. State | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-468-1492 | |
POINT AFTER | 5445 S. 900 East | MURRAY | 801-266-9552 | |
POPLAR ST. PUB | 242 S. 200 West | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-532-2715 | |
REPUBLICAN | 917 S. State | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-595-1916 | |
SAINTS & SINNERS | 3040 S. State | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-604-0869 | |
SANDBAR & GRILL | 122 W. Pierpont Ave | SALT LAKE CITY | ||
SANDPIPER | 4002 Highland Dr | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-278-5100 | |
SOUTH SHORE | 2827 S. State | SOUTH SALT LAKE | 801-483-9167 | |
SOUTHERN X-POSURE | 3423 S. Main | SOUTH SALT LAKE | 801-487-4503 | |
SPENCER'S | 255 S. West Temple | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-238-4748 | |
SQUATTER'S PUB | 147 W. Broadway | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-363-2739 | |
TAP ROOM | 2275 S. Highland Dr | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-466-0974 | |
THE DEPOT | 400 W. South Temple | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-355-5522 | |
THE PUCK | 3396 Decker Lake Dr | WEST VALLEY CITY | 801-975-7825 | |
THE STADIUM | #4 S Rio Grande St | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-456-1200 | |
THE TAVERNACLE | 201 E. 300 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-519-8900 | |
THE WOODSHED | 60 E. 800 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-364-0805 | |
TIME OUT SPORTS BAR & GRILL | 1754 W. 3500 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-973-4115 | |
TONY'S | 3165 S. 1300 East | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-466-0838 | |
TOTEM'S | 538 S. Redwood Rd | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-975-0401 | |
TRADE WINDS LOUNGE | 8000 S. State | MIDVALE | 801-562-1775 | |
TRAILS | 921 S. 300 West | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-363-2871 | |
TRAM CLUB | Snowbird Resort | SNOWBIRD | 801-742-1008 | |
TRAPP | 102 S. 600 West | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-531-8727 | |
TWILITE LOUNGE | 347 E. 200 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-532-9400 | |
UNCLE BART'S | 837 S. Main | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-532-9068 | |
URBAN LOUNGE | 241 S. 500 East | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-746-0557 | |
W LOUNGE | 358 S. West Temple | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-359-0637 | |
WESTERNER CLUB | 3360 S. Redwood Rd | WEST VALLEY CITY | 801-972-5447 | |
WILDFLOWER LOUNGE | Snowbird Resort | SNOWBIRD | 801-933-2230 | |
X-WIFE'S PLACE | 465 S. 700 East | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-532-1954 |
Staying Private
Private Clubs | Address | City | Phone |
ALTA PERUVIAN BAR | Alta Lodge | ALTA | 801-742-3000 |
CIRCLE LOUNGE | 328 S. State | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-531-5400 |
CLUB SOUND | 579 W. 200 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-328-0256 |
CLUB TRY-ANGLES | 251 W. 900 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-364-3203 |
DUFFY'S TAVERN | 932 S. Main | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-355-6401 |
EXECUTIVES CLUB | EnergySolutions Arena 301 W. South Temple |
SALT LAKE CITY | 801-325-2000 |
HABITS | 832 E. 3900 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-268-2228 |
REDWOOD LOUNGE | 502 S. Redwood Rd | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-972-9822 |
SEVEN SUMMITS CLUB | Snowbird Resort | SNOWBIRD | 801-933-2222 |
SITZMARK @ ALTA LODGE |
Alta Lodge | ALTA | 801-742-3500 |
SKY BAR | Red Lion 161 W. 600 South | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-530-1313 |
TOMMY'S LOUNGE | 161 S. Pueblo St | SALT LAKE CITY | 801-641-0290 |