- Rachel Scott
- Christy at the Bonwood Bowl Lounge
Readers’ Pick: Favorite Bowling Alley Bar
Bonwood Bowl
Many people treat their neighborhood bowling alley like a neighborhood bar, and it helps when the bar inside the alley has a personality all its own. While many of our poll respondents sang the praises of the Olympus Hills Bowl and All-Star Lanes, the classic Bonwood Bowl in Salt Lake City was the clear winner, thanks to its Trophy Room Lounge that boasts more than 30 kinds of beer in cans and bottles, plus six more on tap, along with a friendly staff (Christy is pictured) and a giant plasma-screen TV with sports on the satellite. It’s easy to picture The Dude ordering up a Caucasian in the Trophy Room before rolling a few frames. 2500 S. Main, Salt Lake City, 801-487-7758, BonwoodBowl.com
2. Olympus Hills Bowl
3. All-Star Lanes
Mountain Dell Golf Course
What sets this 19th hole apart is the same thing that sets Mountain Dell apart from other public courses: the natural surroundings. Although next to Interstate 80, this course is gorgeous, sprawling across the canyon landscape. It’s also challenging, with two different 18-hole courses, which makes the beer—mostly bottles and cans—served in the clubhouse all the more needed. Parley’s Canyon, Interstate 80 Exit 134, 801-582-3812, SLCGov.com/PublicServices/Golf/MountainDell.html
2. (tie) Bonneville
2. (tie) South Mountain
Molly Green’s at Brighton
Depending on the occasion, Molly Green’s smiling moosehead (pictured with manager Trey Snow) will be adorned with a variety of festive hats. However, every day is a holiday when it comes to après-ski. This is the place to nurse injuries or boast about pulling wicked tricks in the park. Nestled in a cozy A-frame—Brighton Manor—at the base of Brighton’s slopes, folks can ride down or walk up to Molly Green’s. Yes, Molly Green’s cold libations truly hit the spot after a long day on the slopes, but City Weekly readers also may have been voting with their bellies because the food—especially the killer pizza—pairs nicely with a cold one. 12601 E. Big Cottonwood Road, 801-532-04731, BrightonResort.com
2. Tram Club at Snowbird
3. Goldminer’s Daughter at Alta
The Bit & Spur
There are many reasons readers picked The Bit & Spur in Springdale as a favorite spot to drink beer in southwestern Utah: The Mexican grub, for starters, is killer, perfect with a cold beer after a day hiking to Angel’s Landing or the Emerald Pools of Zion National Park. It could be the full bar and extensive wine list, along with the slew of Utah microbrews on tap. And it might be weekend entertainment—everyone from The Supersuckers to Mike Watt to Stan Ridgeway have headlined. Add all those elements together, and it’s crystal-clear why The Bit & Spur got four times as many votes as its rivals in our poll. 1212 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, 435-772-3498, BitAndSpur.com
2. (tie) Mike’s Tavern, Cedar City
2. (tie) Oscar’s Cafe, Springdale
Readers’ Pick: Bar Fave North of Ogden
White Owl, Logan
OK, so Idaho actually won this category. And a south Ogden bar came in third. For those looking for a watering hole in northern Utah, the choice seem pretty clear: The White Owl. It might be the closest thing to a genuine college bar in all of Utah—so say many Utah State students—and it doesn’t lack for amenities pleasing to all ages. The food is excellent, especially for a bar—the Reuben is possibly the best in the state. In the summers, the rooftop patio offers panoramic views of Logan. There’s also a large pool room and a smaller room suitable for more intimate dining. 36 W. Center St., Logan, 435-753-9165
Ray’s Tavern
Ray’s Tavern in Green River got twice as many votes as its nearest competitors in this category—both brew pubs in Moab. Many stop at Ray’s for a beer and a fresh-grilled burger or steak en route to Moab or nearby Arches and Canyonlands. With Moab-bound mountain bikers, Harley-riding weekend warriors and Green River-floating water jockeys, you have a scene worth checking out in this true Utah classic. 25 Broadway, Green River, 435-564-3511
2. Moab Brewery
3. Eddie McStiff’s
Utah County
Really, people? It’s not like Utah County is a province in Iraq; there are plenty of fine watering holes here for all you non- and Jack Mormons looking for some frosty libations—and some of the best and most eclectic dives in the whole state. Take part in a horseshoe tourney at Scorez in Lehi or pair your tasty beer with a pickled turkey gizzard at La Sabre in American Fork. Let’s not forget ABG’s in Provo, a welcoming neighborhood bar that acts like an insurgency for all the sinners in a town where night life seems centered around ice cream parlors instead of beer joints. Now that you know beer exists in Utah County, it’s time to come out and experience some of the colorful and friendly outposts that serve it.
