Utah liquor laws bad for tourism, say local businesses
Utah liquor laws bad for tourism, say local businesses
If you want that cocktail, be prepared to shell out extra for a snack in Utah. (iStock)
Business owners say Utah's restrictive liquor laws are hurting business and are turning off tourists.
Among them, Utahs intent to dine law which prohibits the sale of any alcoholic beverage without ordering food.
Scott Beck, CEO for tourism company Visit Salt Lake, told the The Salt Lake Tribune he received a letter from a businessman whose $4 Coors turned a $13 meal after being made to order chips and salsa.
"We spend a lot of money on recruiting new business and tourism to bring people here, but they go away with stories that dont make them want to return," Beck told the Tribune.
Another law coming under fire is the so-called Zion Curtain partition, which requires new restaurants to install seven-foot barriers that block minors from seeing bartenders mix and pour alcoholic beverages.
"Our restaurant dining experience makes patrons less comfortable," Rep. Kraig Powell, R-Heber City told the Tribune. Powell unsuccessfully fought to repeal the partition stipulation in 2013 and 2014. "We are making them eat and dine in a way they are not familiar with."
Utah residents appear to stand behind both Beck and Powell. According to a new poll from UtahPolicy.com , almost 26 percent of registered Utah voters said Utahs unique liquor laws "definitely hurt," while 43 percent said it "probably hurt tourism to the state. Republicans, Democrats and Independents all polled as believing the lawsrestrictive liquor laws are a detriment to economic development.
Beck is hoping to Utah will revisit its liquor laws next year.
"Were not talking about becoming Las Vegas or New Orleans where there are drive-up liquor stores and people walk around with Margaritas around their neck," the CEO states. "What were really talking about is not making it so hard for people who are responsible adults to partake in alcohol, because it is not illegal or immoral."
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Another law coming under fire is the so-called Zion Curtain partition, which requires new restaurants to install seven-foot barriers that block minors from seeing bartenders mix and pour alcoholic beverages.
Why not a law requiring minors to wear dark glasses & horseblinders instead? It would help prepare them to be future Utah voters...
Simple solution for the 'intent to dine' law... "We recognize that our customers would never order an alcoholic beverage unless they intended to dine as well-- that's why we provide a complimentary packet of cheese crackers free with every beer/mixed drink."
...the ... Zion Curtain partition, which requires new restaurants to install seven-foot barriers that block minors from seeing bartenders mix and pour alcoholic beverages.
That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard of!
I went to Snowbird skiing once and asked a local what do you guys do for fun at night. His reply was sleep. Great place to ski but the nightlife leaves something to be desired.
How do they expect to make any money??