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Bars and clubs serving cocktails and providing live music abound in Salt Lake City, meeting diverse tastes. Yet remnants of the state's quirky liquor laws make for a few surprises to newcomers. Don't expect to spend the night barhopping along a single street—zoning prohibits more than two bars on one block. And you won't party until dawn here—last call is 1 am or earlier. Cabs are not on hand outside every bar or club, so you will probably have to call for one.
At the forefront of south Salt Lake's burgeoning spirits and craft brewing scene, this acclaimed small-batch gin and vodka producer has a stylish, post-industrial bar where you can sample expertly crafted cocktails and nibble on tasty apps and sandwiches. Serious enthusiasts might want to book one of Beehive's occasional behind-the-scenes tours.
Opened in 2017 by a group of beer lovers that includes the great-great-grandson of the owner of the original Fisher Brewing, which flourished from the late 1800s to 1967, this lively taproom in the Granary District produces some of the finest beers in the city. Have a seat on the dog-friendly patio. Rotating food trucks dispense tasty fare.
Grab a table in this handsome, brick-walled tap room and try some of the finest and most distinctive craft ales in the city, such as a crisp Sauvin Blanc Brut IPA produced with hops and Chardonnay grapes and a roasty Black Sesame Stout. The kitchen is known for its Thai-style and chipotle-honey wings.
One of the state's first craft cider producers, Mountain West uses local ingredients—prickly pear puree and a wide variety of apples—to create its crisp and refreshing concoctions. In the cheerful tap room and sunny garden, where live bands often perform, you can sample the ciders along with local beers and spirits. It's on a quiet block in the Marmalade District, next door to the popular Red Rock Brewery.
Although Ostia Amore is a full-service restaurant serving very good Italian fare, its bar is also one of the best spots near the University of Utah and the Avenues for a glass of wine—the selection is impressive, and the setting warm and inviting. On warm nights, sip and eat on the sidewalk patio.
Above a ski- and board-rental shop at the mouth of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, this lively pub offers a huge menu of hearty dishes, cocktails, and craft beers. Inside the large A-frame chalet-like building, you'll find bright polished wood floors and trim and a friendly vibe.
The handsome gastropub in Alta's swanky Snowpine Lodge has big windows and an inviting terrace overlooking the slopes and plush leather seats and rustic stone columns. Upscale but easygoing, it's a terrific spot for a glass of wine or local IPA and light dining (from noon until evening) on tasty bar fare, such as kale Caesar salads, pickle-brined fried chicken, and New Haven–style white clam pizza.
This chic, contemporary cocktail bar opened in summer 2022 in the buzzy Granary District/Central 9th neighborhood and has quickly become a trendy go-to for artfully crafted drinks and Vietnamese street food—lemongrass pork skewers and crispy fish-sauce wings. On warm days, snag a seat on the patio to enjoy your ice-cold ca phe, a robust concoction of Averna amaro liqueur, Vietnamese coffee, chicory, and spices. Check the bar's Instagram page for details.
This intimate, minimalist space on the west edge of downtown received a James Beard nomination for its exemplary farm-to-cocktail scene. Creative drinks using fresh herbs and extracts and artisan spirits are served with a flourish in colorful vessels.
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