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Salt Lake City pizzeria gains first liquor license under new park-waiver law

Salt Lake City pizzeria gains first liquor license under new park-waiver law

Rule Changes Salt Lake City, UT local

Via Veneto Pizzarium is the first business in nearly a decade to win an exception to Utah's proximity rule.

October 6th, 2026: DABS grants liquor license

Overview

Updated Oct 26

Via Veneto Pizzarium, on 900 South across from Liberty Park, can now serve Italian beer, wine and spritzes with its Roman-style pizza. The Salt Lake City Council granted the waiver on Aug. 18 and the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services issued the license in September.

Utah barred liquor licenses for places within 200 feet of a park, library or playground in a straight line, or 300 feet along a walking path. HB597, passed this year, let cities grant exceptions for restaurants. A DABS spokesperson said Via Veneto's was the first such variance in almost a decade. Silverside Deli in Sugar House filed a similar request; no vote result has been reported.

Why it matters

This is the first test of a new legal path for restaurants near parks to serve alcohol, which could reshape where bars and dining options can open in Utah's growing cities.

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Key Indicators

1
Waivers granted by Salt Lake City
Via Veneto was the first Salt Lake City business to use the law. Virgin Goods Cafe in Virgin also received a license under the 2026 proximity changes, Gastronomic SLC reported.
~1 decade
Time since last such variance
Before this, no such variance had been granted since 2017, according to a DABS spokesperson.
7–0
Council vote on the waiver
The Salt Lake City Council approved the proximity waiver unanimously on Aug. 18, granting local consent for the license application.

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People Involved

Amy Stevanoni
Amy Stevanoni
Co-owner, Via Veneto Pizzarium
Restaurant now serves alcohol
 Alejandro Puy
Alejandro Puy
Salt Lake City Council member
Voted for the waiver on August 18
 Jefferson Burton
Jefferson Burton
Utah State Representative (R-Salem)
Sponsored the bill that created the waiver

Organizations Involved

DA
Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS)
State Agency
Granted the liquor license after the city's consent

State agency that regulates the sale and distribution of alcohol in Utah.
Via Veneto Pizzarium
Via Veneto Pizzarium
Restaurant
Now holds a limited-service liquor license

A Roman-style pizzeria across from Liberty Park serving pizza al taglio.

Timeline

March 2026 October 2026

6 events Latest: October 6th, 2026 · 1 month ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. DABS grants liquor license

    Latest Legal

    Via Veneto received approval to serve beer and wine, marking the first such variance in almost a decade.

  2. Salt Lake City Council approves waiver

    Legal

    The council voted 7-0 to grant local consent for Via Veneto's state liquor license application.

  3. Council holds required public hearing

    Legal

    Amy Stevanoni presented her case; public comment period opened for 30 days.

  4. Via Veneto applies for a waiver

    Legal

    The pizzeria filed for a waiver a day after the new law took effect.

  5. New state law takes effect

    Legal

    HB597, allowing cities to grant liquor license proximity waivers for restaurants near parks, became law.

  6. Via Veneto Pizzarium opens

    Opening

    The Roman-style pizzeria opened but could not apply for a liquor license because of its proximity to Liberty Park.

Scenarios

1

More Utah Restaurants Seek Waivers

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Salt Lake City Council members, KSL News

Silverside Deli in Sugar House has already filed a similar request. If the DABS approval holds, other restaurants near parks and libraries will likely follow, making the waiver a standard pathway.

2

State Legislature Amends or Repeals the Waiver Process

Unlikely Resolves by Mar 18, 2027

Discussed by: Rep. Jefferson Burton, Salt Lake City Council

If city councils or DABS are seen as abusing the new waiver power, state legislators could amend HB597 to restrict it. Council members have publicly worried about this possibility and emphasized following the new procedures to keep the power.

3

License Revoked After Complaints

Unlikely Resolves by Oct 6, 2027

Discussed by: Neighborhood residents

The restaurant's license could be challenged if the operation causes issues near the park, but there is no indication of organized opposition beyond the normal public comment period.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

Before 2017

Pre-2017 DABS variance system

Before 2017, the DABS liquor commission had the authority to grant variances for restaurants and bars too close to community locations like parks and schools.

Then

The authority was stripped, and no such variances were granted between 2017 and 2026.

Now

The prohibition created a blind spot for new development planned near large parks, which became a growing planning issue.

Why this matters now

This history explains why Via Veneto's case is the first in a decade and why the new law restores a broken path.

April 2026

Sugar House Park hotel rejection (2026)

A hotel near Sugar House Park was proposed, but the Salt Lake City Council ultimately nixed a rezone request for the project, partly due to proximity concerns.

Then

The project was blocked.

Now

It highlighted the need for a new mechanism to handle development near large public spaces.

Why this matters now

This nearby failure in the same city illustrates the planning pressure that led to the new waiver law.

1933-2020s

Prohibition-era liquor laws

Utah's strict liquor laws, including its state-run liquor stores, date back to the end of Prohibition in 1933. The proximity rule is one of several remnants that make Utah unique.

Then

Utah maintained a tightly controlled system for alcohol sales.

Now

Modern hospitality businesses have pushed back, leading to incremental modernization of the rules.

Why this matters now

This context frames the waiver as part of a slow, ongoing loosening of Utah's alcohol laws.

Sources

(7)
+2
The Salt Lake Tribune ABC4 Utah KSL.com Salt Lake City Open Data Gastronomic Salt Lake City The Salt Lake Tribune KSL.com