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Utah should dump laws requiring
private drinking clubs
By Amanda
Mears
October 6, 2008 | Liquor laws are a touchy subject
in Utah. From the ban on buying alcohol on Sundays to
the fact that most grocery stores are not stocked with
a variety of liquor options, it is clear that Utah does
things a little differently.
One absurd rule, in particular, deals with private
clubs. As the club industry pushes for abolishment of
private club membership fees, it seems like everyone
is up in arms, whether they drink or not.
From an outsider's perspective, it makes little to
no sense for the LDS community to get involved in decisions
regarding something like restricting people without
memberships from getting into private clubs. As if members
of the church are apt to go wild if a membership fee
is no longer required.
However, those of us that live here know the law will
be slow going, due to the state's conservative stance
on liquor laws, upheld partly by church officials who
represent the predominant religion.
It is silly, however, for club-goers to lay the blame
solely on the LDS church for pushing their stance. In
actuality, the church has made no official statement
about it. In fact, Utah Alcoholic Beverage Commissioner
Kathryn Balmforth blames the hesitance towards changing
these laws on something else entirely. She worries that
getting rid of clubs might lead to things like club
hopping, more drinking and criminal activity.
On the contrary, it could be argued that club hopping
may actually slow down the consumption of alcohol. For
instance, walking from club to club and waiting to get
in is time spent not drinking. Whereas it could be argued
that, rather than go through the hassle of getting multiple
memberships, it is easier just stay in one place and
drink continually.
Then there is the matter of people who are not even
planning to drink. What about those of us who can't
even eat at "private club for members" without paying
a fee? In a recent letter to the Salt Lake Tribune,
one visitor to Salt Lake City commented on how confused
he was upon seeing two identical restaurants next to
each other. After sitting down to eat, he was asked
to pay a membership fee -- or go next door where the
menu was exactly the same, minus alcoholic drinks.
Not only is this confusing, but it would cut fees
in half if clubs that serve food could do so without
requiring membership and patrons could just eat there.
One solution that has been offered is guest passes
for visitors who don't want a membership. However, although
guest passes are available, who wants to spend $4 more
to get inside a private club just to hang out or see
a band play? The other catch is that, unless visitors
to the state have done their research, it is hard to
know what private clubs offer guest passes and which
ones don't.
So, it seems the simplest solution is just to get
rid of outdated laws that require anyone who wants to
go out for the night to get a membership to various
clubs. After that, let's work on the no dancing in public
places after 2 a.m. rule and maybe Salt Lake City will
finally ditch its peculiar reputation.
NW
MS |
