SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – The first part of major shake ups to Utah's liquor laws starts Tuesday. Some consider it the biggest overhaul in state alcohol reform in 40 years.
Many believe what starts Tuesday will help change one of the stigmas that give Utah the reputation as a quirky backwards state. The governor likes it, many bars and restaurants are behind it, the changes even have the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints giving them its stamp of approval.
If you’ve gone to a restaurant in Utah you’re probably familiar with the partition which separates bars from restaurants, some call it the “Zion Curtain’. Tuesday it's coming down.
In its place, new restaurants must build a separate mixing area to hide alcohol from minors. It’s the first part of what's considered the most sweeping alcohol reform in Utah in 40 years.
Utah will also do away with its private club system. That means if you want to buy a drink, under Utah law, you won't need to become a member of a private club. Instead new electronic I.D. scanners will become the standard to serve alcohol.
The changes including the “Zion Curtain” are part of Senate Bill 187 which goes into effect May 12th. However private clubs don't change until July 1st.
