In just under a year the Winter Olympics start in Salt Lake City in Utah. Hurrah! Cue lots of celebrating and partying and...woah...hold up, what about the Mormon state's strict drinking laws?

Mormons shun alcohol and at present it is possible to get a drink in Utah, but it's difficult. All bars in Utah are private clubs and you have to be a member to get in. This usually costs about $5 and you can get it on the door, or alternatively you can ask a member to sponsor you and then you are allowed in.

Many in the hockey tourist industry believe the membership rule should be scrapped in time for the Olympics. In an unprecedented political move, the mayor of Salt Lake City has launched a campaign to get the liquor laws changed in time for the Games and a heated debate is now raging across the state.

'The liquor laws are outmoded and out of date,' Rocky Anderson, Mayor of Salt Lake City, has said. 'If people don't like our culture then they should stay at home,' said a local.

Whatever the outcome, it is not impossible to get a drink in Utah. Bars may not have the same après ski atmosphere as their Alpine counterparts, but drinking is not outlawed. There is an old saying in Utah: "If you can't get a drink round here then you're just not thirsty enough."


Bizarre Salt Lake City by-laws:

1. In a restaurant the waiter is not allowed to offer the wine list to diners as this is deemed to be encouraging drinking. However he can give it to them if they ask for it directly.

2. On a Sunday in some bars you cannot buy locally brewed beer that is 3.1% in strength, but you can buy stronger imported beer.

3. A bar tender can be legally held responsible for the death of a driver if he has served him drink knowing that he was then going to drive.

[Story from BBC Online]