Four liquor licenses have been granted to Utah Elks private clubs with the warning that groups that discriminate against women should not be allowed to use the club areas.

This could mean the Elks cannot use their own buildings for monthly meetings in areas where the liquor licenses are valid.The state Commission on Alcoholic Beverage Control action was the latest wrinkle in the Elks' fight to retain liquor sales while excluding women from membership.

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a state Supreme Court ruling that the Elks either had to let women become members or give up their liquor licenses.

The Elks decided to keep a male-only sanctum but open new private clubs that allow female members.

Friday, the alcoholic beverage commission granted four liquor licenses to those private clubs.

The lodges had intended to reserve the private clubs for one night a month. Then, the Elks would hold male-only lodge meetings in the same area - a plan the Elks said already was approved by the liquor-control agency.

But the liquor agency told them that if a facility has a liquor license, groups that discriminate against women should not be allowed in.

"I want to make sure clubs don't allow groups which discriminate to use their (licensed) club areas," Commissioner Nicholas Hales said as he proposed the policy.

His stand surprised several Elks representatives, who asked if the ruling meant private clubs must screen groups that want to rent a whole club for the evening.

No, just groups planning regular use of the club buildings - namely the Elks, commissioners responded.

"We're going to have to take this on a case-by-case basis," said commission Chairman Jerry Fenn. "Let's see how this works out."

The final determination may be up to the Legislature, he said.

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Four Elks lodge licenses were surrendered to the liquor control agency - and exchanged for four "new" licenses. The private clubs are: The 1250 Club of St. George, the Club Cove in Richfield, The Charity Club in Cedar City and Frankie's Club in Price.

In each case, the private club will lease the kitchen and lounge area of lodge buildings while the Elks keep their activities to back rooms.

The restriction was triggered after commissioners granted floor-plan amendments Friday to two private clubs in Elks lodge buildings, The Club Wayfarer in Murray, and Joint Venture in Tooele. They were given licenses last month.

"This is unfair to put this condition on us," complained Glenn Hanni, attorney for the 1250 Club, which will operate inside the St. George-Dixie Elks Lodge building. "We thought our floor plan was approved at your last meeting . . . It is very unfair to do this now."

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