The Utah Senate's Republican majority has gone against the governor, state liquor control officials and dozens of citizens and club owners attending public hearings who had hoped to open private clubs to the public.

Senate President-elect Michael Waddoups said that in a meeting two weeks ago, all 20 Republicans in the 29-member body decided against loosening regulations that require patrons to buy club memberships before they can get a drink.

On Tuesday, Lisa Roskelley, spokeswoman for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., held out the hope that some kind of a compromise might be worked out that would abolish membership regulations when the Legislature convenes Jan. 26. Huntsman expects draft legislation to be completed early next month.

"The governor is committed to alcohol reform," Roskelley said. "There's compromise in every legislative effort, and that will continue to be the trend with this issue as well."

Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, stopped short of calling club memberships a dead issue, but he did say the Republicans agreed "unanimously to keep the status quo.

"Unless we find something better that protects our children and protects us from drunken drivers, we want no change in private club memberships," he said. "Someday we may find a better solution, but it hasn't even been suggested at this point."

Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, said the senators "saw no compelling reason to make a change. Those at the caucus said they had talked to enough people who have restaurants, that they were not excited about any change."

Hillyard, who could not provide owners' names, said he was only half listening during the meeting "because this isn't one of my top priorities. Putting together a budget is my top priority."

Unlike private clubs, restaurants do not have to charge club fees before they can serve diners a drink. Restaurant customers, however, may not purchase an alcoholic beverage unless they also order a meal.

Lisa Marcy, who represents the Utah Hospitality Association, said it's possible that abolishing membership fees could put some restaurants in competition with clubs, "but I'd like to see a list of restaurant owners who don't want to make a change. We sure didn't hear from any of them at the public hearings. We're disappointed but we're not giving up the fight."