Nightlife · craft cocktails · dive bars · rooftops

Best bars in Salt Lake City.

Forget the stereotypes — SLC has a seriously impressive cocktail culture. From innovative craft bars to neighborhood dives, there's a great drink waiting for you.

Top bars in SLC

6 picks
B

Bar X

★ 4.7Downtown$$

One of SLC's most beloved cocktail bars with an intimate setting, expertly crafted drinks, and a retro speakeasy vibe. Often cited as the best bar in Utah.

Craft cocktail institution
P

Purgatory

★ 4.6Downtown$$

A moody, dimly lit cocktail lounge known for its creative seasonal menu and exceptional bartender craft. Ideal for a date or a sophisticated night out.

Seasonal cocktail menu
Q

Quarters Arcade Bar

★ 4.4Downtown$

Retro arcade games meet full bar service at this fun spot popular with 30-somethings. Great for groups, with free-to-play classics and cold beer.

Arcade bar with free games
T

The Rest

★ 4.5Downtown$$

Tucked beneath Gourmandise Bakery, this subterranean bar serves innovative cocktails in an intimate setting. A hidden gem beloved by locals.

Underground hidden gem
G

Greenhouse Effect

★ 4.4Sugar House$

A plant-filled neighborhood bar with natural wines, craft beer, and a relaxed, inclusive vibe. One of the best spots in Sugar House for drinks.

Natural wine & inclusive vibe
P

Prohibition

★ 4.3Downtown$$

A speakeasy-inspired bar with an extensive list of classic and prohibition-era cocktails. Live jazz on weekends makes this a memorable night out.

Live jazz & classic cocktails

SLC's thriving bar scene

Salt Lake City's bar scene often surprises first-time visitors. Despite Utah's conservative reputation, SLC has cultivated a genuine craft cocktail culture, driven in part by bartenders who take their work seriously and a growing population of young professionals who demand quality.

The major relaxation of Utah liquor laws in 2019 — eliminating the old private club requirement — opened the floodgates. Today, Bar X and Purgatory compete with the best cocktail bars in Denver or Portland. The "Zion Curtain" separating bartenders from diners is mostly gone, and the overall experience is simply normal.

One genuinely distinctive aspect: SLC's large non-drinking population (members of the LDS church) has pushed many bars to develop exceptional non-alcoholic programs. If you don't drink, you won't feel left out.

Frequently asked questions

Utah's liquor laws have been significantly relaxed in recent years. Bars no longer require a 'membership,' and you can order a drink without buying food. The main differences from other states: spirits are sold at state-run liquor stores (DABC), beers served at most grocery stores are now full-strength (no more 3.2% beer), and last call is at 1 AM. The bar scene is lively and fully developed.
Downtown SLC, particularly the 300–400 South corridor and the areas around Broadway (400 South), is the main bar district. Granato's block has several popular spots clustered together. The 9th & 9th neighborhood and Sugar House offer a more local, neighborhood-bar feel. Millcreek has a growing craft brewery scene.
Yes, absolutely. Full-service restaurants in Utah can serve beer, wine, and spirits. You don't need to order food to get a drink at a bar, though some restaurant bars may have policies about seating during peak hours.
Yes! Several hotels have rooftop bars with great mountain views, including spots at the Hyatt Regency and Le Meridien. The Rooftop at VERSO (formerly known by other names) is a popular outdoor option in warmer months.
Last call in Utah is 1 AM, and bars close by 2 AM. This is later than many people expect given Utah's reputation — the bar scene is genuinely active through midnight on weekends.
Yes — SLC has a large LDS population that doesn't drink, so many bars and restaurants have invested heavily in non-alcoholic cocktail programs. Bar X, Purgatory, and several other top bars have excellent mocktail menus.
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