Salt Lake City, UT, is a vibrant location with a variety of bars, breweries, and pubs.
It may not be the first city people think of when they think of a fun night out drinking, but the top bars in the area can change that for good.
The 10 Best Bars in Salt Lake City
Whether you want a classic bar or a modern, even eccentric one, you can find what you’re looking for in Salt Lake City.
1. Purgatory
Located in the downtown area, this bar offers something for everyone. Its huge outdoor patio allows you to enjoy the summer nights, while its indoor seating can accommodate a large number of people as well.
The bar is one of the largest in the city, and its drink list is just as extensive. You can choose from local draft beers or high-point bottled ones.
Their Bees Knees is a must-try, as is their Take Me Back, made with mezcal, tequila, and pineapple juice. If you want something extra fun, try their Beachfront, made with rum, honey, and spiced coconut cream.
Purgatory also offers a top selection of bar food, including the Purgs Burg with caramelized onion and the Beyond Vegan Burger.
On average, you can expect to pay $10-13 for a cocktail and anywhere from $6-17 for a shot. A burger will set you back about $12.
It is just as fun a location for brunch as it is for a nighttime drink, with mimosas and delectable food options.
Address: 62 E 700 S Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact: management@purgatorybar.com 801 596-2294
2. Water Witch
Despite its small size, this place is a hive of activity. Water Witch has the feel of a neighborhood bar but offers artisan cocktails that will keep you coming back.
Water Witch has constantly-shifting cocktails, but one of the top current ones is Banana Life, with Hamilton White Stache rum, Wrey & Nephew rum, and Giffard Banane liqueur. The bar has a huge selection of rum, rye and whiskey, mezcal and tequila, vodka, beers, and wines.
Prices range widely depending on your drink of choice, but you can enjoy a Bud Heavy for $3 or a cocktail for $7 to $15.
Water Witch offers even more ambiance by having excellent music selections.
Address: 163 W 900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Contact: info@waterwitchbar.com 801-462-0967
3. Alibi Bar & Place
Another bar in downtown Salt Lake City, Alibi offers a swanky, cool atmosphere, with hanging indoor plants and interior brick walls. It is a bar where practically everyone can feel comfortable and find something they enjoy.
You can choose from craft cocktails like the Paloma, which features tequila, Jerritos, lime, and spicy salt. Another fan favorite is the Roller Derby, with raspberry, lime, and gin.
If you prefer brews, Alibi has excellent local and out-of-town selections on draft. Because they have a constantly changing schedule of dance parties and DJs, you can check out their Instagram page to stay up-to-date on their entertainment.
Address: 369 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact: 385-259-0616
4. The Pearl
If you like gourmet food options with your cocktail or shot, The Pearl is the place to try. Chef Tommy Nguyen offers Vietnamese street food in bite-size dishes to accompany a unique cocktail menu, and fan favorites include his pork belly and egg rolls.
The fascinating cocktails to try include Ca Phe, made with Averna, robusta, coco dan, and chicory, as well as Chim, which features pisco, gin, cardamon, grapefruit, sparkling wine, and chrysanthemum.
The Pearl has limited indoor seating but an expansive outdoor patio. Prices range from $4 to $17.
Address: 917 200 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Contact: https://www.instagram.com/thepearlslc/
5. Shooting Star Saloon
If you want a bit of history on your night out, the Shooting Star Saloon is the oldest bar in Utah. It has been operating since 1892.
It only offers beer, but its ambiance is worth the visit. With its dollar bills on the roof, which people claim can add up to close to $15K, its old-timey feel, and classic burger selections, you can enjoy a no-frills, high-flavor evening.
Address: 7350 E 200 S, Huntsville, UT
Contact: Shootingstarsaloon@gmail.com 801-745-2002
6. Under Current
One of the best cocktail bars, Under Current offers a huge selection of unique and delicious options. It features seasonal cocktails with an Amari and tropical touch, as well as the best spirits, oysters, and other finger foods.
You can choose from beachy options like the Blue Hawaiian with white rum, blue curacao, coconut, lime, and pineapple or from their Boozy & Direct cocktail section, which includes a cocktail made from rye, Montenegro, and black vermouth called the Montepython.
You also have beer and wine options. Some of the food choices Under Current offers are:
- Clam dip
- Fried calamari
- Chicken wings
- Ceviche
- Fries
- Fish and chips
- Veggie tacos
- Shrimp tacos
It is a bit on the pricier side, but the quality of the drinks and food makes it worthwhile.
Address: 270 S 300 E Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact: info@undercurrentbar.com
7. Twilite Lounge
If you prefer a hipster bar, look no further than the Twilite Lounge. It offers cheap drinks, and it is a cash-only bar.
Its retro style and friendly bartenders welcome everyone. You can choose from excellent margaritas, including one made with jalapeno simple syrup, as well as cocktails like the Bingo Band, made with fernet, gin, cucumber ice cubes, and ginger ale.
The Twilite Lounge also offers live entertainment with local bands taking the stage. If you like retro games, there is also a tabletop Pacman to try, as well as billiards and an old jukebox.
Of all of the options on the list, this is the most affordable bar.
Address: 347 E 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT
Contact: info@twilitelounge.com 801-532-9400
8. Copper Common
This bar is a great date location. It has a street-side patio and shares a kitchen with the Copper Onion, which provides one of the favorite dishes, the Copper Burger.
The bar boasts a great selection of local beer and craft cocktails on rotation. Some of the favorites include the Water Lily, with creme de violette, curacao, and gin, as well as the Espresso Martini made with mezcal.
There are also wine and beer selections and food options to suit any palate. Prices tend to be a bit higher, but the quality of the food and drinks is worth the expense.
Address: 111 E Broadway #190, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact: info@copperslc.com 801-355-0543
9. Post Office Place
This bar is growing in popularity because of its location and quality drinks. It has a selection of unique cocktails to try.
A favorite is the Little Bird, with manzanilla sherry, calpico, yuzu, kiuchi no shizuku, and lemon. For a shot of flavor, try the What’s the Dill? cocktail made with elderflower, sea gin, dill, and sparkling wine.
The bar also has a wide selection of beers and wine, and you can even enjoy sake.
To accompany your drink, you can opt for cold foods like ceviche and octopus or hot dishes like shrimp dumplings and grilled beef heart. Prices range from $4 and up.
Address: 16 W Market St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Contact: https://www.popslc.com/
10. Flanker Kitchen
If you want a spot to watch a game and have a few drinks, Flanker Kitchen can offer the exact ambiance you want. It is a huge location, with over 17,500 square feet, and has a kitchen that offers bar classics to go with the local beers.
The bar provides entertainment, including local bands, karaoke nights, and televisions for game nights.
Some of the favorite food options are the tacos, while one of the most popular cocktails is the Paper Plane 2.0, with Aperol, bourbon, and lemon juice.
Address: 6 N Rio Grande St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Contact: 801-683-7070
Hangover IV Therapy in Salt Lake City
After a long night out of drinking and partying, one of the best ways to get back in tip-top shape is to turn to hangover IV therapy.
A hangover can present itself with some common symptoms, including:
- Dry mouth
- Light sensitivity
- Nausea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Increased blood pressure
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
IV therapy allows you to get the nutrients and hydration you need to fight off a hangover while bypassing your digestive system. Having a hangover can make it difficult to drink or eat, so you may not be able to get the electrolytes and nutrients you need quickly enough.
By turning to IV therapy, you can get what you need directly into your circulation so that you can get relief from symptoms. For Salt Lake City residents, we offer a few different IV therapies for hangover relief.
Still Spinning
The Still Spinning package is for a mild hangover that still interferes with how you feel. It offers electrolytes to help get your body back to its normal levels.
The package contains saline, which is a mixture of sodium chloride and water to help you regain the hydration you lost after drinking alcohol. It also contains your choice of anti-nausea, pain relief, or anti-heartburn medications.
Hydration
Even if you drank responsibly, you might feel dehydrated after a night out. This package offers one liter of saline to help you restore your fluid levels so that you can start feeling more like yourself again.
DEFCON 1
If you feel you have overindulged and find yourself struggling with hangover symptoms, the DEFCON 1 package can help. It offers fluid-replenishing saline as well as your choice of two medications. You can choose from anti-nausea, pain relief, and anti-heartburn.
The Baller
The Baller lets you start feeling more normal after a hard night out. It offers saline for hydration, as well as a modified Meyers Cocktail.
The Meyers Cocktail offers a boost of B vitamins and vitamin C, along with a dose of magnesium. It can help you regain the nutrients you lost during the night, and it can also let you regain your energy levels.
The Baller package also lets you choose between a multivitamin cocktail or a blend of anti-nausea, anti-heartburn, and pain relief medications.
Pre-Game
If you want to avoid the hangover symptoms, it is a great idea to plan ahead and get the Pre-Game package. This package provides saline to help keep you hydrated while also offering a B-vitamin complex.
Enjoy Your Nights Out
With all of the excellent bars Salt Lake City, UT, offers, you want to know you can enjoy your nights out without fear of feeling sick the next morning. You can depend on IV therapy to get you feeling like yourself once again.