Ask around before a Park City trip and someone will tell you Utah is a dry state. It isn't. You can order a cocktail, a glass of wine or a cold beer here, any day of the week. The rules are different from what most visitors are used to, though, and a few of them are worth knowing before you sit down. Here's what actually matters.
Quick answers
Is Utah a dry state? No. Bars and restaurants serve beer, wine and cocktails.
Can I drink on Sunday? Yes. Bars serve seven days a week. State liquor stores are closed on Sundays.
How old do I need to be? 21, with valid photo ID. Bars don't admit anyone under 21 at all, and they scan every guest's ID at the door.
Is there happy hour? No. Utah doesn't allow discounted drinks.
Can I bring my own wine? Often, yes, at the bar's or restaurant's discretion, usually with a corkage fee. Beer and spirits, no.
What's the DUI limit? 0.05% blood alcohol, the strictest in the country.
Is Utah a dry state?
No, and it hasn't been for a long time. Utah's alcohol laws have loosened a lot over the past two decades. Today, bars, restaurants, breweries, wineries and distilleries all serve alcohol, and Park City has plenty of each. What's left is a set of rules about how drinks are poured, sold and served. They take a minute to learn and don't get in the way of a good evening.
What to expect at a bar
Everyone must be 21 or older to enter. In Utah, a bar is strictly 21-and-over: no minors inside at any time, even with a parent.
Bring your ID. Utah bars are required to check and electronically scan the ID of every guest before entry, regardless of age. A valid driver's license or passport works.
Bars may be open from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week, including Sundays. Alcohol serving times vary.
Ordering cocktails, wine and beer
Cocktails: the main spirit in a mixed drink is measured at 1.5 ounces, and a drink can't contain more than 2.5 ounces of spirits in total. A good bartender works within that easily; you'll just notice that pours are precise.
Two drinks at a time: at a bar, each guest can have up to two drinks in front of them at once with some caveats! A shot served alongside a cocktail made with the same spirit (a "sidecar") isn't allowed. And you can’t order a double.
Wine: a glass pour tops out at 5 ounces. Flights are allowed, as long as all the glasses together add up to 5 ounces or less. Bottles of up to 750 ml can go to any table, and bottles of up to 1.5 liters (a magnum) can go to tables of four or more. You can order a bottle of wine and whatever you don’t finish you can take home.
Beer: draft beer is capped at 5% ABV. Stronger beers come in cans and bottles. Draft pitchers can hold up to 2 liters, but no single guest can be served more than 1 liter, so larger pitchers are for sharing.
No happy hour
Utah doesn't allow discounted drinks at any time, which means no happy hours, two-for-ones or drink specials. The upside is that the price you see at 5 p.m. is the price you'll see at 9.
Where to buy beer, wine and spirits
Grocery and convenience stores sell beer up to 5% ABV.
State liquor stores sell everything else: wine, spirits and stronger beer. They're open Monday through Saturday, generally from 11 a.m. until 7 or 10 p.m. depending on the location. They're closed on Sundays and on state and federal holidays, so if you're planning a holiday dinner or a Sunday at the condo, buy ahead. Park City has a state store off Main Street, by The Market and another at Kimball Junction.
Breweries, wineries and distilleries can sell alcohol every day, including Sundays. Bottles you take with you have to stay sealed while you're on their premises.
Can you bring your own bottle?
For wine, often yes. Utah lets a licensed bar or restaurant allow guests to bring their own bottled wine, at its discretion. When you arrive, hand the bottle to your server. Once it's opened, you're welcome to pour for your table. Most places charge a corkage fee. Bringing your own beer or spirits isn't allowed.
At Tannin Bar, you're welcome to bring a special bottle you've been saving: corkage is $25 per bottle, with up to two bottles per table.
Getting home: Utah's 0.05% limit
Utah's legal blood alcohol limit for driving is 0.05%, lower than any other state's, and it applies to bicycles as well as cars. For many people that's just one or two drinks. If you're going out, leave the car behind: walk, take Park City's free bus system, or book a ride share.
A note on altitude
Park City sits at roughly 7,000 feet. Plenty of visitors find a glass of wine feels different up here than at home, especially on the first night after travel. Pace yourself, drink water alongside your wine, and give yourself a day to adjust.
Quick reference
Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
Is Utah dry? | No |
Minimum age | 21, with valid photo ID |
ID at bars | Scanned for every guest |
Kids in bars? | Never, bars are 21+ only |
Bar hours | Can be open between 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., every day |
Drinks at a time | Up to two if not two of same spirit |
Happy hour | Not allowed |
Wine by the glass | Up to 5 oz |
Beer at the grocery store | Up to 5% ABV |
Wine and spirits to go | State liquor stores, Mon to Sat |
Bring your own wine | Often, with corkage |
DUI limit | 0.05% BAC (cars and bikes) |
A glass at Tannin
Tannin Bar + Kitchen opens in November 2026, a Park City wine bar with New American small plates, oysters and caviar, cheese and charcuterie, and full entrées from Executive Chef Aaron Deal's kitchen, alongside a list built to pair with the food. As a bar, we're 21 and over, and we'll scan your ID at the door.
Tell us what you like, and we'll find you something new. Every great bottle begins with a conversation. Take a look at our menus and upcoming events.
Sources
Utah's alcohol rules change from time to time. This guide was reviewed against the following official and tourism sources on the date shown above:
