Santaquin club opens after getting last Utah liquor license

SANTAQUIN — The city's first social club has opened its doors after getting the state's last available liquor license.

Any possible owners of social clubs will have to wait until another license opens up, said Sam Granato, chairman of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.

"We analyzed it and found a need down there," Granato said in explaining the DABC's recent approval.

Dwight Fisher applied months ago for a business license, which the Santaquin City Council had to approve before Fisher could apply for the liquor license. He just opened his Wagon Wheel Saloon at 340 E. Main.

Santaquin has had bars, city recorder Susan Farnsworth said, but they've all closed. Fisher said his club is different.

"Those were beer bars," said Fisher, who lives in Spanish Fork. "This a full-service lounge."

The Wagon Wheel Saloon has pool tables, arcade games, TVs and karaoke, and Fisher said he will provide a venue for semiprofessional singers.

The rustic, old west-style club also serves pizza and sandwiches but no full-course meals. The grand opening is Jan. 8.

"The patronage is very good," Fisher said, adding that he was impressed with the community welcome he received.

Social clubs are extremely rare in south Utah County. The closest competitor is in Payson, some 10 miles away.

Legislators ended private clubs during the 2009 session, so Utah now has just two club classifications: social clubs and dining clubs. Fisher didn't want to meet a percentage of food served so he opted for a social club license, Granato said.

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