Live jazz · cocktail bars · concert halls · the Utah Jazz city

Best jazz clubs in Salt Lake City.

From speakeasy cocktail bars with live jazz to the world-class Eccles Theater, SLC has more jazz than its name might suggest. Here's where to find it.

Top jazz venues in SLC

6 picks

Prohibition

★ 4.4DowntownJazz Bar

A speakeasy-inspired bar with live jazz on weekend evenings. Excellent prohibition-era cocktails, dim lighting, and musicians who set a sophisticated mood.

Speakeasy atmosphere + live jazz weekends

The Jazz Lounge at Grand America

★ 4.6DowntownHotel Jazz Lounge

The elegant jazz lounge at the Grand America Hotel features live jazz in an upscale setting. Perfect for cocktails before or after dinner at one of the hotel's restaurants.

Elegant hotel jazz experience

Eccles Theater

★ 4.9DowntownConcert Hall

While primarily a performing arts theater, Eccles hosts major jazz concerts and touring artists. Utah Presents programs world-class jazz acts throughout the year.

World-class jazz performances

The Depot

★ 4.5DowntownConcert Venue

A mid-size concert venue in the historic Union Pacific Depot that regularly hosts jazz and soul artists in a beautifully restored space.

Historic venue, intimate feel

Squatters Pub Brewery

★ 4.3DowntownBrew Pub

SLC's original craft brewery features occasional live jazz and blues on its patio and indoor stage, pairing local music with excellent house-brewed beers.

Live jazz + craft beer

University of Utah Fine Arts Events

★ 4.5University DistrictAcademic Venue

The U of U's music department hosts regular free and low-cost jazz concerts featuring faculty and student performers. Consistently high quality and often overlooked by visitors.

High-quality & often free jazz

Jazz in the city of the Utah Jazz

Salt Lake City's jazz scene has a charming irony at its core: the city is best known worldwide for the Utah Jazz NBA franchise, yet the actual jazz music scene is relatively modest. That said, what exists is genuine and rewarding for those who seek it out.

The University of Utah's music program is the backbone of SLC's jazz scene, producing working musicians who perform across the city's venues. The Eccles Theater regularly brings in major touring jazz acts, and the intimate setting of Prohibition — a speakeasy-style bar downtown — delivers some of the most atmospheric jazz listening experiences in the city.

For visitors who love jazz, pairing a visit to the Grand America Hotel's jazz lounge with cocktails is a quintessential SLC upscale evening. The hotel's European-influenced design and live music programming make it feel genuinely special — not just a hotel bar.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I hear live jazz in Salt Lake City?

The best options for live jazz in SLC include: Prohibition downtown (jazz bar with live music on weekends), the Jazz Lounge at Grand America Hotel (elegant hotel setting), The Depot (mid-size venue with touring jazz acts), and the University of Utah which hosts regular faculty and student jazz concerts. The Eccles Theater brings major jazz touring acts to SLC throughout the year.

Does Salt Lake City have a jazz scene?

SLC has a genuine jazz scene driven largely by the University of Utah's music program and a network of professional musicians who perform across bars, restaurants, and dedicated venues. While it's not a jazz mecca on the scale of New Orleans or New York, the city supports regular live jazz programming year-round. The Utah Jazz (NBA team) ironically gets most of the jazz name recognition in SLC!

When does SLC have jazz events and festivals?

The Utah Arts Festival (late June) features jazz and world music alongside visual arts downtown. Various restaurants and venues run regular jazz nights throughout the year. The Eccles Theater and Utah Presents bring major touring jazz artists to the city. Check Kilby Court and The Urban Lounge for jazz and soul crossover acts.

Are there jazz brunch options in Salt Lake City?

Yes — some upscale restaurants feature jazz brunch on weekends. The Grand America Hotel has offered jazz brunch service in its restaurant. Several downtown restaurants bring in jazz musicians for weekend lunch and brunch service. Check current schedules as these programs rotate seasonally.

Is the Utah Jazz (NBA team) named after jazz music?

Yes — the team was founded in New Orleans in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz, reflecting that city's musical heritage. When the franchise moved to Utah in 1979, the team kept the Jazz name despite Utah's very different cultural identity. The name is beloved in SLC and the team is an important part of the city's identity, even if jazz music itself plays a smaller daily role.

What is the dress code at jazz clubs in SLC?

SLC jazz venues range from casual (Squatters, some bars) to smart casual (Prohibition, The Depot) to upscale (Grand America Hotel, Eccles Theater). For most venues, smart casual — dark jeans or chinos with a button-up — works perfectly. The Grand America and Eccles events lean toward business casual or cocktail attire.

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