Downtown Salt Lake City Bars

If you are anything like me, you love a fun night out on the town. Well, I've compiled my favorite bars in downtown Salt Lake City. Here is a list of what I suggest you stop by. I've also given a small description for each place. This list has three bars on Main Street, three bars south of Main, three bars west of Main, and three bars East of Main. There are tons of other bars throughout the city, but it's easy to keep these in mind as the staple bars of downtown. 

Main Street

Keys on Main

My number one recommendation is Keys on Main. Located on Main Street and 242 South. This is a piano bar that is always packed on the weekends. There is a $5 - $10 cover (depending on the night), but the cover is totally worth the entertainment. Once you get inside, snag a table with the best view of the pianos. Don't worry about going to the bar to get a drink, there are always cocktail waitresses walking around. Specialty cocktails are a little pricey, but normal drinks and beers are average. Expect the waitresses to check on your regularly. Each night there are usually two people playing the piano and singing. Song recommendations are encouraged, just remember to leave a little bit of cash! For certain recommendations, they may ask you to jump on stage, so beware if you pick any songs too crazy. Some of the songs can get a little crude, so this place is definitely not somewhere you'll want to bring your Mormon friends, but you'll have a blast on a date or with a group of friends.  

Cheers to You 

Just south of Keys on Main, also on main, you will find Cheers to You. Cheers to You is located on Main Street and 300 South. Here there shouldn't be a cover and the drinks are decently cheap. I usually will start my night here to grab some drinks for half the cost of the surrounding bars. I recommend ordering the "mind erasers". They will have tons of flavors to choose from. I usually get the watermelon (it tastes like a jolly rancher) or the peanut butter and jelly (this one has such a strong peanut butter flavor). This bar also had pool tables and karaoke. It's a pretty small bar, so be prepared to fight for the bar tenders' attention. My absolute biggest con for this bar is the bathroom. At all costs try to avoid using the bathroom at this bar. There is only one bathroom for both genders. It's also a terrible layout where you walk into the bathroom and then have to walk into the stall. So while you are going to the bathroom, anyone of any gender can walk in at any time. 10/10 do not recommend unless you're okay with drunk dudes hitting on you while you are actively trying to pee. 

Whiskey Street

Directly next to Cheer to You is Whiskey Street. Whiskey Street is more of a higher-end bar/restaurant. They have over 100 whiskeys you can order from the price ranges from $10 to $1000 a shot. My husband is a big fan of whiskey and loves this bar. I usually have to cut him off after two drinks so he doesn't charge us a house payment. They also serve cocktails and beers. I love the fancy appetizers here. You'll feel very fancy while eating them. My favorite part about Whiskey Street is the outside seating. On a nice summer night, you can sit outside and enjoy people watching. 

South of Main

Quarters

A little bit further south on Main Street you'll hit the corner of Main and 400 South. Here you will find Quarters. It's an underground arcade filled with all the cult classic machines. The last time I checked there wasn't a cover charge, but expect to spend a lot of money on the arcade games. All of the machines take quarters only and range from 50 cents to one dollar. They do have ATMs machines as well as coin machines, so you don't have to worry about bringing all the quarters. The cocktails here are very expensive so don't plan to buy all your booze here. My favorite game is the four-player Pac man. My husband's favorite is ski ball. I still have yet to beat him at ski ball.

The Green Pig

Continuing to round the corner, head east to the next bar The Green Pig. This bar unfortunately does have a cover most nights. The last time I checked it was a $5 cover. They do have live music and get pretty busy on the weekends. Drink prices are pretty average. My favorite part of this bar is the open rooftop bar. If it's open, sit on the bar stools overlooking the street. It's a great view of the city and mountains. Plus on a hot night, this will be the best place for some airflow.

Twist

Continue again around the corner, heading north and you'll reach Twist. Twist used to be my favorite bar. But now I'm just a little too old. This is your classic college bar. It'll always be packed with people and the average age will forever be 22. If you're looking for a girl's night out of dancing and flirting with boys, Twist is perfect for you. Sometimes I'll go with my husband, but we make sure to leave before the kids show up around 9pm. I love bars that have an outside seating area and this bar has just that. They set out lights and music. It's a vibe. 

West of Main

Graces

Just west of Main street you'll run into Graces. Graces Bar is located at 326 S West Temple. Go to Graces if you're looking for anything spot to continue your college party fun. Here you will also find dancing and boys to flirt with. But this venue is a lot bigger. The upstairs patio has its own bar that is usually a lot less busy. The last time I checked the cover to get in it was $6. This is my least favorite bar downtown. But I've never really been into the whole pump and grid scene. 

Sky Bar

Over one street to the north on Pierpoint Ave, you'll find Sky SLC. This is a full-on music venue. Most nights the cover is $10, unless a bigger artist is performing, then the cover may be more. The highest I've seen is a $20 cover, but I wouldn't be surprised if on some nights this is a lot higher. This is where you want to take a group of friends to dance and party all night. They even have bottle service and a VIP lounge if you're willing to pay. This would be a perfect night ended for a bachelorette or birthday party. 

Poplar

If you hop half a block west you'll run into Poplar Street Pup. Located on 242 South 200 West it's the most western bar I have on this downtown list. Poplar Bar is a huge favorite among my friends. It's a little off of Main Street, so it doesn't get as busy. It's a pretty spacious bar with multiple rooms and an outdoor area to hang out in. It was pool tables to pay to play. And it even has a bar hiding outside in a small building that almost never gets as busy. They have tons of beers to pick from and even will give you a "long pour" if you ask nicely. This is definitely a fun place to take some friends or go for a night date night. 

East of Main

Bar X

Traveling east from Main one block you'll run into three bars right next to each other. The first you'll see is Bar X. Located at 155 East 200 South. This is the most intimate bar of the three. Inside it's dark and moody. They'll sometimes be live music. They focus on mixed cocktails and some beers. This will be the most expensive of the three bars, but it shouldn't be too much. Something this place can get a little packed being such a small building. At the back of the bar, you'll see that there is a side entrance to Beer Bar.

Beer Bar

Like I just mentioned, Beer Bar is connected to Bar X. This means you can walk among the two without having to even go outside. This is perfect if you have one person who wants a specialty beer, while you have another who wants a craft brew. Beer Bar is exactly how it sounds. Here they have a large selection of draft beers. If you are looking for a nice local brew, Beer Bar should do the trick. Other than the beer, this bar doesn't have much to offer. Inside you'll find picnic-style tables, outside you'll see a small outside bench for smoking. 

Johnny's on Second

Directly next to Beer Bar you will find Jonnys on Second. Here you can always count on low-quality cheap beer. This is the perfect bar to go to if you're having a night out with the boys or looking for as low-key as possible. They do have pool tables and terribly dirty bathrooms. For me personally, Johnny's is the perfect way to end the night. Here you can grab one last beer for cheap, and not have to worry if your mascara is a little smudged. 

Make sure to always head over to the Pie Hole on 344 South State Street after a night out. It's the perfect place to snag a piece (or four) of new york style pizza. My favorite is the potato bacon. That's all for this round! These 12 bars are my downtown go-to's. Check out my other posts for other bars throughout Salt Lake Valley. Where are your favorite bars? Thanks so much for reading and I hope you have a fun and safe night out!