No New Year's Eve celebrations will be held in Layton's bars this year, the City Council told a tavern owner Thursday, but the council did agree to look at the city's liquor-control ordinance to see if revisions are needed.

Ed Charters, owner of the Why Not Bar and representing the city's other beer-bar owners, asked the council if the city's ordinance could be amended to allow the bars to be open on New Year's Eve this year.New Year's Eve falls on Sunday this year and the city ordinance doesn't allow bars to be open on Sunday.

Charters also asked if the ordinance could be amended to allow bars to be open for limited hours on other Sundays through the fall and winter for sports fans to come in and watch televised games.

He asked that the ordinance be amended to allow bars to open from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. on Sundays except during June, July, and August and until 1 a.m., the usual closing time, on New Year's Eve.

Most of the demand by sports fans is during basketball and football season, according to Charters, who said he sees little demand by baseball fans during the summer.

He noted that bars in adjacent communities of Clearfield and Sunset are open on Sunday, as are the private clubs in Layton, which are governed by state statutes, not a city ordinance.

View Comments

Responding to a question from Mayor Richard McKenzie, Charters also noted that grocery and convenience stores are open and sell beer on Sundays in Layton.

City Manager Bruce Barton said the city's tavern ordinance is 15 to 20 years old and needs revision to comply with changes in state laws over the years. He is also expecting some major changes after the next Utah Legislature meets, Barton said.

The council appeared reluctant to make any immediate changes in the city's ordinance but did instruct the city staff to study the city's regulations, comparing them to those of adjacent cities and other cities in Utah of Layton's size and population.

"But don't look for anything right away and don't plan on any New Year's Eve parties," the mayor told Charters.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.