<P> Legislation enacted in 2010 restored the barriers as part of a broader compromise on alcohol reform; in 2013, the Utah legislature considered legislation removing the barriers permanently from all establishments, although the legislation ultimately did not pass . </P> <P> Abolishing the Zion curtains has been an often proposed and contentious issue affecting Utah politics for years . Many restaurants feel it introduces one more hardship in a state with too many alcohol restrictions, while others feel like it is a much - needed instrument to protect children and teens from exposure to alcohol consumption . A new bill, HB 339, is being introduced that would allow restaurant owners to abolish their Zion curtain provided the owners established a separate bar area that would not be accessible to anyone under the age of 21 . Lawmakers insist that a wall or partition obscuring any alcoholic beverages from view helps to shield children and teens from the glamorization of alcohol . Jim Fell, a research scientist with the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, points out that "...no research has been conducted to establish whether there is any actual benefit to this law's implementation . Exposure to alcohol does have an effect on teen drinking, but I worry that the multimedia, including alcohol advertising, would overwhelm any effects that the Utah law might have," said Fell . "It's important to evaluate this--but it would have to be done by an independent, objective researcher, not someone who is an advocate or who opposes the law ." </P> <P> Utah laws restrict supermarkets operating within the State to only sell packaged beer up to 4.0% ABV (or 3.2% alcohol by weight); beer containing alcohol greater than this amount (as well as Liquor and wine) can only be sold at state - controlled liquor stores . Bars, clubs, taverns, and other establishments selling in - house or "on premise" alcohol (excluding restaurants) are allowed to sell alcohol from 10: 00am--1: 00am . Locations defined as a restaurant under Utah law require that food also be ordered with any alcohol that is to be ordered and consumed (though they do not have to be ordered at the same time), and can sell alcohol from 11: 30am - 1: 00am . </P> <P> Utah State Senator John L. Valentine is introducing a bill that will allow each chain restaurant that enters Utah to obtain a "master" license for all of their locations, instead of having to apply for a liquor license at each individual location . This is hoped to speed up the process of obtaining liquor licenses when otherwise there are many locations of the same restaurant applying for a single license every month . </P>

Do you have to order food with alcohol in utah