Deseret News | Restaurant bar restrictions urged

Reader comments
Restaurant bar restrictions urged

Trevor | 7:28 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

At least Huntsman has a brain with regards with Alcohol. The Majority of those in office don't and think we should get rid of it altogether. Utah is just strange in regards to liquor laws.

Ski Vail | 8:18 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

We have a scene of a skier stopped at the entrance to a bar in Park City. I large man attired in a brown shirt abruptly halts the skier asking: "Where's your paper?

"What paper?"

"Your membership card! You must have a valid membership card to enter."

"I never hear of this before."

"No problem, a card is viable for additional fee"

The commercial next shows the same skier ordering at the bar.

"I would like a Long Island iced tea."

"Sorry, that drink in illegal in Utah!"

"A Margarita then."

"We can't serve you this drink, sir!"

"What is legal in Utah?"

The scene fades as text appears in the screen. "Ski hassle free fun Colorado."

thusly | 8:19 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I live out-of-Utah. I went downtown tonight in my little town of 17,000 with 12,000 of those being college students, and went to the sports bar/restaurant and had a BBQ supper with sweet potato fries. The wife had a beer with a green olive and I had my pepsi. The many families that came in had sandwiches, etc., and the kids played with the foosball and pool tables, and no one got into a fight or anything. The waitresses were fully clothed. No smoking allowed, state law. And then the priest walked in and said HI to people he knew.

Oh it was so civil and nice. Having been brought up in Utah it was so......nice to see people being people. No kid turned into an alcoholic because he saw beer or wine. No kid went crazy, but instead ate with his or her parents and watched the games on the big screens.

I love Utah. Any time I want to leave the planet of good sense I can go back home and watch the masses run around worried about things they know so little about.

I know more alcoholics in Utah county than here.

Amen to that.

Comments continue below

Ken Goddard | 8:39 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I love it. ZION CURTAIN. Somebody has a sense of humor.

Utah Resident | 10:40 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

This is foolishness as it does nothing to curb drunks, only hassle the law abiding.

Still, if it keeps the politicians from working on devious schemes to spend more money or raise our taxes, let's encourage them to keep on debating stuff like this.

This is hilarious! | 11:39 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

This is hilarious! The things these politicians spend their time one is hard to believe.

How about spending some time on health care for the sick and elderly or helping people get jobs?

Imagine that. | 12:03 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

The futility of these legislators and their plans to safeguard children from reality never surprises me.

dave | 7:09 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Will somebody please attach a straight jacket to Waddoups! He is apparently incapable of rational thought. Waddoups is a danger to anyone that believes in freedom and liberty. Remrmber: "...justice and liberty for all.". Not just religious freaks.

Enough Already | 7:23 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

The only "SHAM" here is waddups. Instead of consistently trying to divide and conquer in the name of "protecting the children", Waddups needs to go after the real issues like drugs and gang violence. Being able to see alcohol in a restaurant does NOT promote underage drinking. If Waddups and other blinded Utahns would take the initiative to teach their children what they should and should not do instead of requiring the State to put laws into effect to control people.

NEWS FLASH Senator Waddups...It is NOT the States responsibility to educate and baby sit your children! You and other parents need to get involved at home, educate your children and let people live according to their own belief system.

Members of the church outside of Utah do so much better living in an open and unrestricted environment. Because they educate their children and do not EXPECT the State of Utah to do it for them.

uncannygunman | 7:52 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Utah: Life Regulated!

wes | 8:10 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

In this day and age of a tanking economy, homelessness, abuse, an untenable health care crisis, et al, is this ALL the Legislature has to deal with? It's the endless litany of alcohol, alochol, alcohol. One would think that's the only issue confronting this state and its residents if we follow the agenda of hyper-conservative LDS yokels in the legislature. How 'bout we deal with other far more pressing issues?

Disgusted in SL! | 8:19 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

"Restaurants are not to be bars. They're to be dining establishments where alcohol is served as an accessory or appendage to a meal," Waddoups said. "That's what clubs and beer bars are for."

Waddoups, check the law! You cannot go to a restaurant and order a drink and not order food.
32A-4-106. Operational restrictions.
(7) (a) (ii) (10) An alcoholic beverage may not be sold except in connection with an order for food prepared, sold, and served at the restaurant.

Maybe you ought to hire me to do your research, since it is apparent you arenï¿½t doing it!

Active LDS | 8:25 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I am active LDS a High Priest and I find the actions of Utah politicians with regard to alcohol to be ridiculous in the extreme. Around the world thousand and millions of LDS people live full righteous and exemplary lives while people around them in restaurants drink (horror of horrors) alcohol!! Not once in my life has anyone in a restaurant in another city forced me to drink, nor have they forced my children. No restaurant has influenced or tempted me or my children to drink because we could actually see a drink being poured or mixed. If silly politicians like Waddoups spent as much time worrying about the sorry state of education in Utah we would all be far better off. wasn't it the Prophet Joseph Smith who said "Teach correct principles and let them govern themselves"??? Sounds like the Utah Republican Party would like to govern our every action as it relates to restaurants and alcohol, how very socialist!!

Dear Sen Waddoups | 8:45 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

So your children will instantly turn into alcoholics if they see a bottle of alcohol? They'll be under the table, curled into drunken stupors, if they see someone shake a martini?

Meanwhile, I am offended by fat people lined up at the ice cream parlor, buying giant mugs of caffeine-loaded Mountain Dew, and am ready to curl into a stupor myself if the Utah Legislature doesn't start working on what's REAL.

Waddoups, if Chili's is your example of a "fine restaurant", we're sorry. BUT it IS a bar! It's the name of the business! Why are you taking your kids to a bar, and then complaining about it being a bar?

Take. Your. Family. To. Chuck.A.Rama.

I'm ready to propose that we do away with the Utah Legislature, because there obviously are no meaningful things left for them to work on.

htown | 10:04 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Mr. Waddoups...You speak about liquor laws like you are in a church service..I am and my family are LDS..All you do is make the state a place no one will come too if these ridiculous liquor laws do not cease...The worse thing that all of you on the hill did was the alco-pops out of the stores..What was the reasoning...It is just an inconvenience now thats all...Leave us alone and get updated..Everyone in Utah goes not live the life you do.....You better let kids in Utah see the real world for how it is...Most families control their families and are good parents..Someone pouring liquor and kids watching it is a shame for you..Dont you think they see it at their homes...Quit making laws for your LDS lifestyle..We dont need it..............Start listening to the citizens and LDS people for once...

Anonymous | 10:31 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I'm single. Have you gone into a nice restaurant and had your experience ruined because a parent failed to manage their kids? It's money down the drain.

Why not let restaurant be kid free and serve alcohol. This would be attractive to us who don't like watching kids drool while you dine.

cbird | 11:16 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I am dumbfounded about this article!???? I don't even know what to say!!!!!

Joe E. Smith | 12:24 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

What an incredibly stupid idea.

Pat | 12:44 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

A law preventing smoking makes sense --- not banning "view" of alcohol? Because it does what, exactly? It prevents people from become drunkards themselves or disobey the Word of Wisdom?

pht! I go to bars --- and I choose not to drink --- and it doesn't bother me any.

As to a family environment --- I take my kids where alcohol is not served. Period.

Utah taliban | 12:44 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Looks like Waddoups is a gift to democrats during his leadership. Like the Taliban he wants to control what you can see not just what you can do. This state is going back in time, how sad.

The circus is back in town | 1:02 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

You can always tell when the legislature's about to begin its session. A small car shows up in front of the Capitol, and a bunch of clowns get out and start to work.

That every single comment on this article - in the Deseret News, mind you - is somewhere between negative and simply incredulous has simply got to tell all concerned what a completely absurd notion this is. I grew up around alcohol, drink socially, and will admit to a few indiscretions in my youth - but it sure wasn't the sight of alcohol which led me to any of it. Now, can we please focus on how the state is going to work on the real problems facing Utahns? Perhaps our economic problems? Maybe health care? Education? Please.

Or better yet, maybe we should let the clowns worry about protecting little Jimmy and little Jane from the sight of a martini shaker. I'm not sure I want them near anything that matters.

jo | 1:24 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

what cave has Waddoups been living in. Is he for real? I wonder if he watches the Super Bowl and laughs at the Bud commercials. Should we ban, that, the Olympics, about anything that you see on TV has people drinking or advertising drinking. You can tell he doesnt get out much. Why doesnt he present numbers of the people who have a drinking problem which was caused by watching a drink being made in a restaurant. I cant even believe we talk about this or even pay attention to it or his comments. Should we ban all movies, magazines and whatever else is involved with drinking. It sounds like he has one to many to make a comment like that.

Concerned | 1:54 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I'm so tired of people trying to bring more alcohol laws into restaurants. Its all ready strict enough without having more stupid ridiculous laws to follow. I have never felt that my kids were going to be exposed to alcohol or anything else for that matter its riduculous. It is up to the parents to educate their children and not make people who want a drink at a restaurant feel like they are doing something morally wrong.

Chili's BAR & Grill | 2:13 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Repeat.....Chili's BAR and Grill. Chili's BAR and Grill is where he was eating. Irony.

Someone needs to buy that man a beer.

Anonymous | 2:55 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

"The new Senate leader had said allowing minors to see liquor displayed and dispensed in restaurants would entice them to drink."

Only seeing it displayed and dispensed will make them want to drink.

Seeing other customers really DRINKING those drinks will do nothing to hurt these poor children.

Foolishness coming from a foolish person.

unbelievable | 3:08 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

"I'm convinced citizens of this state see this and consider that a bar," .
Obviously Waddoups isn't in check with his constituents. In a recent KSL poll, 85% of people wanted to have the membership requirement abolished. What planet is this guy living on? Obviously there is sympathy for the accident that occured involving Sen. Waddoups wife, but seriously man, get real.

Dumb and Dumber | 3:27 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Back in 1982, my parents exposed me to the sight of liquor in a restaurant. Since then, I've never been the same.

Anonymous | 3:29 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

just one piece of evidance that the morons control the state of utah

Sweet Temptation | 3:29 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

That a child may be tempted to drink because he sees alcohol (or steal it!!) is a farce, and Waddoups is proof. We have schools, university's, libraries, and just ordinary people with common sense all over the place and he has never been tempted by any of them to educate himself.

HSFAN | 3:30 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Walked into three different bars on New Years here in SLC....ordered and drank 3 Long Island Ice Teas! No Problem for me.....maybe the guy who is complaining should take a bath next time before he steps into a SLC bar and orders a drink!

Waddoups is right! This is about protecting Bars! And making sure restaurants don't operate like Bars!

Al Caholic | 4:02 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Out of sight out of mind I guess. Only in Utah would this even be an issue and a story in the news!!

Anonymous | 4:25 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Much ado about nothing...seriously who really cares about this with so many REAL issues to address? Utah legislators should be ashamed that they are wasting time on such a silly issue.

Donovan | 4:52 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Drinking, killing babies, social government, evil, all code words for "re-elect me, I'm one of the Utah no-think people too".
Thats what its all about. Who cares about the real problems we face, jest get them sinners done away into the darkness and keep voting me in.
When will people in Utah understand that having a glass of wine with dinner does not make them any worse than the big people waddling out of the 7-11 with a hidious big gulp in hand?

Randall | 4:54 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Chili's Bar & Grill in 49 States.
Chili's Southwesten Grill in Utah.
They had to change their name and delete "Bar" in Utah to Open.
Ski Tahoe!!

Fat People | 5:02 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Maybe Waddoups is right. Every temptation should be hidden. Hide the ice cream. Hide the Jello. That's why all of Utah's kids are so fat. They see, and they got to have it. Well were at it, lets hide the Mountains, because, well, if kids see the mountains while they are in school, they might become ski bums, instead of brilliant Senators like Waddoups.

cab | 5:45 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I've always wondered why people with the same mentality as Waddoups take their families or themselves to places that serve alcohol. If you are so afraid that the sight of alcohol will sway you or your children towards it, you probably don't have much faith in what you believe or what you've taught your chilren. As long as we are working on silly laws, let's not allow people like Wadedoups to walk into a gas station to fill up their supersized diet coke so they don't turn into alcoholics from viewing the beer in the cooler. Get a grip! There are homeless people in our streets, hungry children in our schoools, elderly people who can't afford heat food or medications. When are we going to start spending time on issues that will really make a difference in our society. Not being Mormon and being a responsible drinker, I admire the LDS people who have made comments on this article. It proves there are LDS people out there who have a grip on what's real and what's not and who are comfortable with their belief system.

ok ok | 5:55 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I left Utah long ago, after a full K-12 education and then 2 more years at the U. I would never go back. I live in a wonderful, caring community and watch people drink alcohol in restaurants, with children there no less, and our crime rate is zippo, our kids do not turn in alcoholics (my son is a lawer, my daughters work for a bank and for a computer firm respectively), and life is good.

Utah is so eat up. Just eat up.

But hey, it makes you sleep better at night to think you have done something when you have done nothing.

I pity those left behind.

Wyatt Earp | 6:06 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Admit it Senator Waddoups, you were too busy cleaning your gun to notice the bottles behind the bar.

attacking wrong person | 5:36 p.m. Jan. 11, 2009

You are all attacking the wrong person. Waddoups is just getting sucked into the void of Art & Janie Brown who run the Utah chapter of MADD. They no longer care about responsible dringing or properly educating kids to stay away from alcohol. They are now soley about prohibition and creating ridiculous laws that make Utah appear silly to the rest of the world. These people are Socialists who want government to control everything including parenting. It's unfortunate that good people like Waddoups get caught up in irrationally emotional rhetoric.

Clubs and restaurants don't want drunk drivers on the road. Their livelihood depends on them coming back. But they can't defend against a lawsuit because of ads like Robert DeBry's $ 500 donation to MADD for every alcohol suit they win.

According to the Brown's, anyone who even gets a whiff of alcohol turns into a maniacal killer. If Utah wants to look normal, then get rid of the abnormal people at Utah MADD!!!

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