Page 3 of 3
Dick N’ Dixies
The college crowd is to be expected at Dick N’ Dixies, given the presence of the University of Utah just blocks away. More surprising is the fact that on game nights, the place fills with soccer fans to watch Real Salt Lake battle. It makes for an energetic mix at a small neighborhood bar that is almost always packed with folks eager to partake in the whiskey selection or one of the house’s cheap specialty cocktails.
479 E. 300 South, 801-521-3556
The Republican
Packed full of TVs with games running nearly around the clock, The Republican is the place to be if you’re a soccer fan looking for a place to take in a match. Show up a little early, grab a spot and a pint, and you can pass the time before kickoff with some darts, shuffleboard or one of the many other games spread throughout—or maybe the free bacon on Wednesdays. Don’t let the drab exterior fool you—it’s what’s inside that matters. 917 S. State, 801-595-1916
Jam
This friendly neighborhood gay bar—and longtime Best of Utah winner—in the Marmalade area has a great selection of drinks and a variety of themed nights, such as karaoke and a popular pub quiz. On weekends, the place is full of beautiful men showing off their moves on the dance floor. 751 N. 300 West, 801-891-1162, JamSLC.com
Club Try-Angles
Besides its great name, Try-Angles is a bar that’s comfortable for gay people and their allies. The décor will make you feel as if you’ve traveled back in time, with its disco ball and black & white checkered dance floor—which is packed on weekends. On weekdays, it’s a chill spot to play pool or have a quiet drink. 251 W. 900 South,
801-364-3203, ClubTry-Angles.com
Lucky 13
To beef enthusiasts, Lucky 13 is a like a second home—a home that’s wrapped in smoked bacon and furnished with fried pickles. In 2013, Lucky 13 took first place in the World Burger Championship, an honor that came as no surprise to Salt Lakers—Lucky 13’s burgers are so delicious they should be painted onto the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Pair one of these juicy beasts with a pitcher of Cutthroat and you’ll be the Michelangelo of burgers. 135 W. 1300 South, 801-4418, Lucky13SLC.com
ROCKIN’ THE SUBURBS
Downtowners definitely don’t have all the fun. Outside of the Salt Lake City limits, neighborhood bars are truly neighborhood bars; sports bars are home to rivalries going back decades; and the dance floors writhe to the sounds of Top 40 here and golden oldies there.
Huka Bar & Grill
A lot of hookah lounges go for the claustrophobic opium den vibe, but the Huka Bar is tailored toward its Fashion Place-neighborhood clientele. Big booths, real lighting and a nice array of chow complement the hookahs, giving patrons a complete social experience. 151 E. 6100 South, Murray, 801-281-4852, TheHukaBar.com
Scallywags
Though it’s technically a pirate bar, people who lack peg legs and prescription eye patches are just as welcome. On the weekdays, hookahs are only $5, and you can take advantage of the $3 wells and $2 domestics. Aye, and there’s always free pool and never a cover! 3040 S. State, 801-604-0869
Maggie McGee’s
More than just the perfect spot to catch every UFC fight, Jazz game or Utes bout, this Holladay sports club has an expansive pub-grub menu, nightly karaoke, an in-house pool tourney every Tuesday, and poker night every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. 6253 S. Highland Drive, 801-273-9899, MaggieMcGees.com
Dawg Pound
A no-frills dive dedicated to a rock & roll crowd, the Dawg Pound wastes no effort on fancy decorations or hi-def TVs. Rather, this is a place to hunker down with your fellow metalheads for live shows or to enjoy classic metal like Black Sabbbath or Metallica blasting from the house stereo. The drinks come cheap, as do the house hot dogs and corn dogs, and you just might want to use the money you save through a night at the Dawg Pound on some good earplugs. 3550 S. State, 801-261-2337
Gino’s
The exterior of Gino’s isn’t exactly the most inviting in Salt Lake City, but those who enter find an incredibly spacious and well-kept club great for a quiet beer with friends after work, or for a night dancing to live music later on. A spacious dance floor, large bar and abundance of booths combine to make Gino’s a welcoming spot, and the cheap drinks don’t hurt, either. 3556 S. State, 801-268-1811
Highlander Club
If you’re not at least watching the karaoke here, you’ll be the only one. Singing is a serious business at Highlander, with all seats pointed toward the stage and two isolation booths for warming up the pipes. You’ll want to be at your best when your name gets called, as everyone will be paying attention, and the waitlist to perform is lengthy even on a slow night. 6194 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City
Cheers to You Midvale
Known as a down-to-earth neighborhood bar with cheap suds, Cheers to You Midvale also has live music and karaoke on the weekends, classic pub grub like hot dogs and French dips—and you can bet your mustache that the flatscreens are always tuned to Utah sports. 7642 S. State Street, Midvale, 801-566-0871, CheersToYouSLC.com
Club DJs
Looking for a place to toss some darts? Club DJ’s is a guaranteed bull’s-eye. There are 13 electronic dartboards, weekly dart tourneys, the Utah State Dart Tourney is held there every three months, and you can join up with a dart league. And if darts aren’t your thing, there’s also weekly karaoke and DJs spinning Top 40 and hip-hop on the weekends. 3849 W. 5400 South, West Valley City, 801-964-8575, ClubDJsUtah.com
The Royal
This sleek, stylish club/bar hybrid located in the Ivy Place Shopping Village opened in early 2013, and has all the ingredients to make it a music hotspot: a good-size stage, a killer sound system and ample dancing room. Live music happens every Friday, from both national and local acts. If you feel like socializing with friends or a hot date, the upstairs lounge (equipped with its own bar) and sweet deck overlooking the river are both cozy spots for conversation. There are also plenty of TVs if you’re in the mood to catch the game and enjoy a beer. If dancing has fired up your appetite, there’s a full menu, with plenty of stone-oven-fired pizza—the Stable Able is particularly tasty—sandwiches, salads, appetizers and more. 4760 S. 900 East, Murray, 801-590-9940, TheRoyalSLC.com
Lumpy’s South
The cavernous Sandy location of the local chain can support a lot going on at once, while not making the individual visitor feel too overwhelmed. There are two stages for music or stand-up comedy, a wall of TVs and a whole bunch of pool-and-dart-type diversions. You can find a fun lounge vibe on weekend nights hanging out on the white couches. 8925 Harrison St., Sandy, 801-255-2078, LumpysSouth.com
A Bar Named Sue on Highland
If not for the flashy sign, it would be easy to miss the one-door, windowless strip-mall entrance to this Holladay institution. Once you’re inside, however, the bar stretches on for a while, and there are many corners to call your own. Feeling social? Head to the southern tip for a free game of pool. 3928 S. Highland Drive, 801-274-5578, A-Bar-Named-Sue.com
The Hog Wallow Pub
In the old days, when worthwhile bars located anywhere besides downtown were unimaginable, The Hog Wallow took over a long-running tavern at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon and immediately became one of the best spots around for either a long night out or a quick pop-in after a day at work or on the slopes. Pizza, burgers and nachos dot the menu, and live music fills the little stage nightly with a wide range of local and touring talent. In summer, the patio out back offers a multi-tiered array of tables among the trees. 3200 E. Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, 801-733-5567, TheHogWallow.com
Lumpy’s Highland
No one would mistake Salt Lake City for a college town, despite the prominent presence of the University of Utah just east of downtown. The original Lumpy’s, though, earned its rep as a Utes bar years ago, thanks to its décor and regular bus rides to the stadium on game days. Weekend brunches bring the sports fans in early, and DJs bring a downstairs dance floor to life by night. In between, a menu ranging from rib-eyes to Reubens and pizzas to rice bowls, draws in lunch and dinner crowds as well. 3000 S. Highland Drive, 801-484-5597, LumpysBar.com
Paper Moon
As well as being an important staple in the Salt Lake City lesbian community, the Paper Moon is also a comfortable dive bar that stays calm on weekdays with activities such as pool, karaoke and poker, but has a whole other vibe on weekends. On Fridays and Saturdays, DJs spin Top 40 hits, and the place is full of high-spirits fun. During summer, the large patio out back is great for smoking or relaxing under the stars. 3737 S. State, 801-713-0678, Facebook.com/PaperMoonSLC
Leprechaun Inn
There’s more than just cold brews being enjoyed at this fine Murray establishment. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this cozy neighborhood bar—located in the Ivy Place shopping center—features 15 HD TVs, pool and darts, Golden Tee golf and great live bands on the weekends. 4700 S. 900 East, Murray, 801-268-3294, TheLeprechaunInn.com
The Westerner
The first thing visitors to The Westerner notice is the bar’s size. A stage sits at the end of a giant dance floor, and both are surrounded by dozens of tables. Add a room dedicated to karaoke in one corner, the occasional appearance of a mechanical bull in another, and you have a massive space dedicated to country music and its fans. Whether you’re there for a live show or simply a little boot-scootin’ to a DJ while ogling local cowboys and cowgirls, The Westerner offers an experience unlike any other in the Salt Lake Valley. 3360 S. Redwood Road, 801-972-5447, WesternerSLC.com
’Bout Time Pub & Grub
With eight locations across the Wasatch Front, you’re never far from a spot to watch sports or simply sip a brew in a laid-back sports bar atmosphere. Each ‘Bout Time—some in strip-mall suburbs, others in city centers—is different, but the ethos remains the same: good games, drinks and food (the Scotch eggs are a must-try) among friends. Multiple locations, BoutTimePub.com
Totems
With nearly 20,000 square feet of space, this west-side bar can be whatever you want it to be—weekend meetup spot, office lunch tradition (the Mexican food is bodacious), host for your Mountain Man-themed wedding reception, or simply a place to sit back and relax under the large wooden rafters as you’re catered to by the friendly staff. It’s like your own private Idaho lodge—just moments from the downtown hustle. 538 S. Redwood Road, 801-975-0401, Facebook.com/TotemsNightClub
The Puck
Located near the Maverik Center, The Puck is a great spot for pre-gaming (and post-gaming), whether your night involves a Grizzlies hockey game, a monster-truck show or a Backstreet Boys reunion concert. The spacious spot boasts a full menu of tasty food, tons of TVs, a large selection of beers and, in the summer, one of the best patios around. 3396 S. Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City, 801-975-7825, ThePuck.org
5 Monkeys
Located in the heart of Murray’s bar row, 5 Monkeys is a classic neighborhood favorite. There’s always free pool, live shows on the weekends and, of course, cute little monkey statues all over the place. While you’re there, try the Monkey Piss lager. 7 E. 4800 South, Murray, 801-266-1885, 5MonkeysClub.com
Barbary Coast
Not just for bikers, Barbary Coast has a little something for everyone. This Murray favorite is known for throwing great live shows that span everything from country and rock to hip-hop. It also hosts a massive backyard stage and killer pub grub like the gigantic Best Burger. 4242 S. State, Murray, 801-265-9889
The Huddle
With 24 flatscreens on hand, the only thing this bar is missing is a TV on the ceiling. The sports hangout is a great bet to catch UFC fights, hockey, college football and, hell, probably even curling. There’s also an huge menu that features wings, burgers, salads and quesadillas. 2400 E Fort Union Blvd., 801-438-8300, TheHuddleSportsBar.com
The Canyon Inn
Snow on the ground or not, this Cottonwood Heights après-ski bar knows how to throw a party any day of the year. Cheap draft beers and famous pizza pair nicely with a huge array of live bands, DJs and local hip-hop acts. When the weather warms up, check out the weekly Sunset Sessions parking-lot parties.
3700 E. Fort Union Blvd., Cottonwood Heights, 801-943-6969
Carol’s Cove II
Don’t let the strip-mall location fool you—Carol’s Cove II has got a lot more going on inside than its exterior would suggest. It’s big enough to accommodate giant groups of karaoke crooners while still leaving room for others to belly up to the bar for a ballgame. Cheap brews are plentiful, live music occasionally takes over the stage from the karaoke crew, and the menu full of bar grub is a good reason to settle in at this friendly outpost. 3424 S. State, 801-466-2683
Club 90
What doesn’t this Sandy-centric club offer? Tons of pool tables, a huge patio and a great menu are only the tip of the iceberg. The weekends are Club 90’s bread and butter: You can cut a rug on their massive dance floor with live music acts like Paid in Full, Next Faze and LOL. 9065 S. Monroe St. (150 West), Sandy, 801-566-3254, Club90SLC.com
Habits
The legendary DJ Scotty B spins here, sending ladies to the dance floor with a healthy mix of Top 40, dance and video mixes. But beside a packed dance floor on the weekends, this spot also holds its own with great food, a classy, heated patio and plenty of cheap libations. 832 E. 3900 South, 801-268-2228, ClubHabits.com
A Bar Named Sue on State
The overall vibe is quite different from the original Sue’s, but the hearty food menu and barrel tables have been replicated. A wide-open space, the Midvale Sue has plenty of room to move around. With TVs on every wall surface, you’re sure to find a good spot to hang out and nurse one of the cheap drinks. 8136 S. State, Midvale,
801-566-3222
Junior’s Tavern
A Salt Lake City mainstay since 1974, Junior’s moved from its longtime location to its current spot in 2005, and there was genuine concern at the time that it wouldn’t be the same. Suffice it to say, the place is still one of the best low-key neighborhood bars in town, a perfect spot for a post-work gathering of co-workers or late-night stop with friends or a date. Blues and jazz rule Junior’s airwaves, and owner Greg Arrata regularly mans the taps and joins the conversation, offering a glimpse into the vast knowledge of SLC he’s gleaned from behind the bar. 30 E. 300 South,
801-322-0318, JuniorsTavern.com
• Welcome to the Neighborhood(s)!
• The 16 Utahns You Need to Meet
• Dive Into the Art Scene
• Browsing & Buying
• How to Get Here, There & Everywhere
• No Skis, No Problem
• Resort Report
• Local Live Music Spots
• SLC Bars & Clubs
• Meatless Meals
• Nosh Around the Clock
