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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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4

Utah Drinkers Get in Touch With Bartenders

New law knocks down barriers, hands-off policy in restaurants

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(Newser) – Under a new law that went into effect yesterday, restaurants that sell alcohol no longer need to separate patrons from the people serving them drinks, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. “Not having these barriers is going to save us a lot of time, especially with out-of-state visitors who constantly ask what it is and why it's there,” one owner said of the “Zion curtains,” which are usually glass barriers.

The purpose of the "curtains" was to shield children from the sight of alcoholic drinks being made. Bartenders could not hand anything over the barriers, forcing servers to walk around them. But the legislation also mandates that new establishments selling liquor mix drinks out of sight in a back room, the AP reports. Utah Gov. John Huntsman calls the restriction “a step backward.”

A diner at a Salt Lake City establishment.
A diner at a Salt Lake City establishment.   (AP Photo)
Patrons peruse the stock at the lone state run liquor store in St. George, Utah.
Patrons peruse the stock at the lone state run liquor store in St. George, Utah.   (AP Photo)
A beer drinker at a Chili's restaurant in Midvale, Utah.
A beer drinker at a Chili's restaurant in Midvale, Utah.   (AP Photo)
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It's just kind of pointless to have clear glass in front of us. It really takes away from the personal experience of our customers. A lot of people are surprised when they see it and ask about the Zion curtain.
- Abbie Daggs, Stella Grill

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4 comments
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anchower
May 13, 09 4:26 PM CDT
Does Huntsman not know how to use a veto? Reply
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+1
kansas1946
May 13, 09 11:26 PM CDT
Because every state has their own liquor laws, there are some really humerous ones. Here in Kansas we went through a number of really crazy laws before we finally had sanity invade the state. Reply
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0
TerrifiedCitizen
May 14, 09 2:19 AM CDT
Such crazy and over the top ideas come out of the mouths of politicians that have received a majority of votes; which indicates it's the population of some of these states that firmly believe in these fanciful ideas. I've decided that the only answer is to move to a state where the majority seem a little more reasonable and less archaic... they make better neighbors. Reply
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SPH
May 14, 09 1:47 PM CDT
In Wisconsin bartenders are REQUIRED to mix drinks at the bar in plain sight of the customer to insure the proper amount and brand of liquor.....Back room mixing seems wide open to abuse..... Reply
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