Salt Lake City

A vibrant community, Salt Lake City impresses many first-time visitors. The 2002 Winter Olympics helped put Salt Lake City on the map, and the many world-class ski resorts, nature reserves, and state parks in the area make this a year-round destination. It’s no surprise there’s also a growing gay population, part of a more liberal and urban blue/Democrat enclave within an otherwise very red/Republican state.

The city is a lot less dominated by the Mormon Church than elsewhere in Utah, but liquor laws here are strict, and taverns and lounges sell beer only. For mixed drinks there are “private membership” clubs where you can buy a two-week membership card or get someone to “sponsor” you at the door.

Getting here

Salt Lake City International Airport is about 7 miles northwest of downtown. If you’re going to be doing a lot of driving, rent a car there. If not, taxis are reasonably priced, and many hotels provide free shuttle services.

Amtrak trains also head to Salt Lake City, with arrivals at the Salt Lake Central (Intermodal Hub), at 340 South 600 West. Greyhound Lines intercity buses arrive nearby, and there are easy connections to local UTA bus services.
 

Getting around

Salt Lake City has great public transportation. The light rail and city bus systems can get you around with a minimum of fuss. See UTA for online information about routes, schedules and fares. There are also taxis in the downtown area.

Media and Resources

The Gay Hotspot is an online info resource.  Q Salt Lake is another gay news and listings website.

City Weekly is the local alternative paper, with general listings, events and reviews.

The Utah Pride Center (361 N 300 West) is the state’s gay community resource, also the organizers of Pride each June. Café Marmalade is the coffee shop here, with free Wi-Fi, computer access, and a GLBT library.

Drag shows and pageants are popular, and the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire (RCGS) holds their annual coronation each Memorial Day Weekend.

The Sundance Film Festival has screenings each January in Park City, Utah; and for information on the Utah Gay Ski Week each February, also in Park City, see their website.

Visit Salt Lake is a useful general tourism website, with hotel, restaurant and recreation information, plus events listings.

For locations and website links to the businesses listed below, and more, see our Salt Lake City gay map & listings pages.

Accommodations

Hotel Monaco (15 W 200 South) downtown boutique hotel in refurbished landmark 14-story building, special gay package deals.

Parrish Place B&B (720 E Ashton Ave) restored Victorian, generous in-room breakfast, near shops, restaurants, attractions.

Peery Hotel (110 W Broadway) Victorian-era buillding, boutique style, gay-friendly vibe, restaurants, bars/clubs, gym,  in-room spa services.
 

Bars & clubs
In the midst of a generally conservative society, gay people of all kinds mingle in ways you don't often see in more liberal parts of the country. Men and women, straights and gays, and all races and ages hang together a little easier here.

Area 51 (451 S 400 West) straight dance club with "gorgeous freaks" and alternative vibe, monthly fetish party.

Bay (404 S West Temple), 18+ dance and live music, mixed crowd, top 40 and hip hop. The Old Babylon Club location.

Club Try- Angles (251 W 900 South) lively mix of bears and other folks, weekend DJ dancing, smoking patio, Sunday beer bust and barbeque.

Club Karamba (1051 East 2100 South), weekend Latin dance club, Sunday gay nights, drag shows, sexy male go-go dancers.

Fusion Saturdays at Metro Bar (540 W 200 South), mixed lounge, dance club, rock/hip hop/house, live music, gayest on Saturdays.

Hydrate @ Club Sound (579 W 200 South), young 18+ gay mix, Friday night dancing; was called Pure.

Jam (751 N 300 West), neighborhood bar, outdoor patio, karaoke, food, liquor, wine and beer.

Off Trax (259 W 900 South), daytime cafe, reopens 1am on weekends as after-hours club next to Club Try-Angles; WIFI, games, pool table, jukebox, Sunday brunch.

Paper Moon (3737 S State St) women's weekend dance bar with patio, karaoke, pool table.

Tavernacle (201 E 300 South) gay and straight crowd mix, piano and karaoke bar, dancing Wednesdays through Saturdays.

Trapp (102 S 600 West) regular guys, cheap beer, sports, back patio, jukebox, country-western ambience, DJ/VJs, Wii games, WiFi, no membership required.

Restaurants

Cafe Med (420 E 3300 South) Mediterranean specialties, Sunday brunch, breakfast burritos, steak and eggs.

Cedars of Lebanon (152 E 200 South) weekend belly dancers, vegetarian-friendly menu.

Market Street Grill (48 W Market St) fine seafood restaurant in Salt Lake Hotel, popular brunch.

Mestizo Coffeehouse (631 W North Temple) coffee,WiFi, art, open mic nights, spoken-word performances, jam sessions.

New Yorker Club (60 Market St) award- winning American cuisine, great steaks, to-die-for soufflés, elegant vibe, excellent service.

Off Trax (251 W 900 South) internet café, salad bar, large patio, pool games, weekend breakfasts after the bars close.

Red Iguana (736 W North Temple) all regions of Mexico flavors, tasty burritos to smoldering mole sauces.

Sage's Cafe (473 E 300 South) City Weekly's best vegetarian, breakfast to dinner, organic food and wine, open every day.

Tin Angel Cafe (365 W 400 South) bistro fare, fresh sandwiches, tasty salads, live music, local art, wireless internet.