The 10 Best Bars In Salt Lake City Utah

Salt Lake City is the capital city of Utah, a state with historically fascinating liquor laws. These strange laws mean some places require a food order with your drink. Here are the 10 best bars in Salt Lake City.

The Red Door

Bar, American

Open for a decade, The Red Door serves specialty cocktails and an extensive list of drinks. These range from a Dirty Girl Scout Martini (made with vodka, Irish cream, coffee liqueur, and creme de menthe) to classic bourbons and whiskeys. They even offer wine in this small, downtown bar. Every Friday night, you can find the resident DJ spinning some great tunes, and live bands during the rest of the week. For smooth drinks, dim lighting, and the perfect antidote to a busy week at work, The Red Door is a great downtown spot.

Beerhive Pub

Beerhive Pub is one of the first places in Salt Lake City where you could get a taste of more than 24 different brews on tap or choose from a long list of impeccable bottled beers. Upstairs, you can even find an ice-topped bar table where you can keep your beer cold while you relax. The warm atmosphere in Beerhive is created by vintage, wood-toned decor and the buzzing chatter as beer-lovers share in the fun of experimenting with the hundreds of beers available in this pub. This place is great if you’re in the mood for a casual drink after work in a laid-back spot. Or, if you are especially interested in beer-tasting from a variety that includes both local and international brews, Beehive is the place to go.

Arrow Press Square Shopping Center, 128 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (801) 364-4268

The Garage

Bar, American, Pub Grub

Literally a garage, this bar is known for its great beers, good live-music setup and delicious food. The Garage has an Americana feel, as its decor and location were inspired by old juke joints and roadhouses. The Garage is also a welcoming environment for all ages and types of crowds. This makes it a fun and eclectic hangout. On Thursdays through Sundays, you can find live music, with a small cover charge. Don’t be fooled by the industrial surroundings of this affordable and fun bar in Capitol Hill – it’s a good time for everyone.

The Bar in Sugarhouse

Bar, Pub Grub, American

This small dive-bar in the Sugarhouse neighborhood of SLC is a charming bar to have a drink with a friend or a date in an intimate setting. The friendly staff, the old jukebox, and the good beer make for a quaint and cozy atmosphere. This beer-only hangout is also a good place to catch your favorite game in town. Don’t miss the happy hour for great prices on a great selection of brews.

Avenues Proper

A small and simple brewing operation in the historic downtown area of Salt Lake City, Avenues Properoffer four house brews on tap and several other local beers like Wasatch, Squatters, and Uinta. As you walk into this brewhouse, you get a firsthand look at the brewing process, with fermentation vessels in sight. You can even catch a fantastic weekend brunch here. This July, Avenues Proper is also going to take part in the first annual Eat Drink SLC event. This celebrates the culinary diversity and quality of Salt Lake City’s eclectic establishments. Main Street in Salt Lake City|©Antti/Flickr

Whiskey Street

Bar, Cocktail Bar, American

The wide selection of whiskeys and spiced nuts make for a relaxing and fun evening at Whiskey Street, where the food is just as good as the drinks. Poutine and pork belly corn dogs go great with a bourbon, rye or single malt on their extensive menu. This is hip and popular bar is buzzing with chatter most nights. While it isn’t the perfect place for an intimate and romantic date, it is a great place to start up a conversation and meet travelers and locals. The bartenders, too, are a friendly bunch who know the menu inside and out.

Squatters Craft Beers

Brasserie, Pub, Pub Grub

Squatters Craft Beers is a neighborhood spot that uses local ingredients from farmers in the region. The pub and brewery has been recognized through many awards for its eco-friendly approach. It partners with several organizations that support the community. Squatters is also known for its delicious food that complements its beers. The bartenders here are friendly and knowledgeable, so they can recommend the best combinations. If you’re still unsure about which brew to commit to, you can try their samples for only 45 cents. Squatters even offers vegan and gluten-free beer options.

Bar X

For creative and artfully mixed drinks, Bar X is the place to try. It was opened in 1933 – the same year that Prohibition was repealed. This place was recently revamped by Modern Family actor, Ty Burrell, his brother and a few friends to give it a cool new feel. Serving old-fashioned Prohibition-style drinks and playing jazz and blues tunes, this bar maintains the speakeasy feel. It also introduces a modern touch with masterfully made cocktails. Bar X is environmentally conscious, processing its recyclable waste in a responsible way, so you can feel great about giving a place like this your business.

155 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 355-2287

Brewvies Cinema Pub

For a unusual pub or movie-going experience, Brewvies Cinema Pub would be your best choice. It’s a cinema-pub where you can get great food, drinks, and watch a movie all at the same time. The beer selection is extensive as is the entire bar list. Plus, the food is delicious, and the movie theater offers tickets that are cheaper than most theaters. You can even grab a pitcher here while you sit at a table or a couch as you watch. Because of the experience that Brewvies offers, be sure to order tickets ahead of time online or on the phone. Arrive early because the place crowds up shortly before a screening.

677 S 200 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (801) 355-5500

The Tap Room

Bar, Pub Grub, American

A pleasant little neighborhood bar, the The Tap Room recently opened a second bar with a pool table. There is an outdoor patio that is perfect for a warm summer day, or for cozying up to a strong drink on a cool day. This bar is home to locals of all ages, though it is welcoming to visitors as well for a random conversation and a quality drink. Though the name refers to the bar’s wide beer selection, they also offer a wide whiskey selection, with the rye whiskey being a Tap Room favorite.

About the author

Jonaki Mehta

Born in India, Jonaki has lived in California since a young age and has been on the move since. She recently graduated from UCLA with a degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Art History, and spent much of her time hosting an arts and culture radio show in college. Her love of Art History brought her to her most recent exciting adventure abroad living in Istanbul for a few months, which is her favorite city at the moment. Jonaki is an aspiring journalist about to embark on her first major international story in South India in upcoming months.