Serving Salt Lake's GLBT community
since 1992
and the rest of the alphabet too
It's the things you don't hear about Salt Lake City that make it a great place for gays and lesbians to come home to. The gay and lesbian presence is a permanent part of Salt Lake's urban make-up with many taverns and private clubs, gay owned or certainly gay friendly coffee shops, "family specific" book stores, newspapers, radio programs, film festival and not one but two Pride Day celebrations. Winter and Summer with a parade that attracts over 15,000 every year. New this year is the Domestic Partnership Registry maintained by the Salt Lake City recorder's office. This registry is open to all adult residents who have a mutual commitment including same sex couples, elderly cohabitants and people with adult dependent children.
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Pride Day - Downtown Salt Lake City
Our real pride and joy is the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah with library, resource center, meeting rooms and coffee bar (to assist in self sufficiency). Political activity is alive and well with several registered political action committees, caucus and organizations, including a cabin of the log variety. We also have an openly lesbian state house member in the downtown district and an openly gay state senator. Salt Lake City's past and current mayor are well know for their liberal and progressive causes.
Of course no community links page is considered complete without a list of clubs.
The seemingly bizarre Utah liquor laws intimidate most newcomers. I won't even try to explain all of them. Here are a few general rules and guidelines that you may find handy.1. Most restaurants have at least limited alcohol available if not a full bar. You must show the intent to order food in order to be served a drink in a restaurant.
2. Private clubs are not exclusive. Just show the doorman your ID and ask if it would be possible for someone to sponsor you for the evening. There may be a small cover charge ($1 - $10) and once inside you can decide if you like the place well enough to buy an annual membership ($12 and up).
3. Always carry your picture ID. No matter how well those Botox injections worked, state law requires that you have proof of age to get into a club or beer garden.
4. Utah uses a measured pour for alcohol. So don't bother with a dry martini. Stick with mixed drinks where it is legal for the barkeep to add "flavorings" or try our famous local brews.
Salt Lake Area GLBT Bars and Clubs
Brass Rail
103 27th St.
Ogden
Very traditional, all are welcome
Try-Angles
251 W. 900 South
Salt Lake City
Private Club, Pool tables, Dance floor, patio, very casual and friendly.
Radio City
147 S. State St.
Salt Lake City
No club membership required. Oldest gay bar west of the Mississippi! Beer bar only.Modiggity's
3424 S. State St.
Salt Lake City
Private Club. Sports bar for girls with balls
The Paper Moon
3424 S. State St.
Salt Lake City
Private Club. Salt Lake's Premier Woman's Club (men are welcome!)
The Trapp
102 S. 600 West
Salt Lake City
Private Club, Country western music and line dancing, patio
Trapp Door
596 W. 100 South
Salt Lake City
Private club, Dance floor,
Big space, Big crowds
Contemporary dance music
In addition to the "Gay everyday" locations listed above, there are now a growing number of bars and clubs that have at least one Gay Night. It seems that just about every place in town is jumping on the boys-in-the-bandwagon. It's a hard list to keep up with, so you may want to call and check with the individual clubs listed below before planning your night out.
Salt Lake Clubs with Specific Gay Nights
Club Sound
801.328.0255
579 W. 200 South SLC
Friday nights
Private Club, Shows, DancingThe Tavernacle
801.519.8900
201 E. 300 South SLC
Private Club. Dueling piano or Karaoke most nights. Come sing along at this very gay friendly venue.Mynt Lounge
801.713.0678
63 W. 100 South SLC
Private Club
Minimalist cool
Any Coffeehouse, Any time
The coffee house is the new gay bar. Cruising with caffeine. Bring a laptop and pretend to work on your new novel while glancing furtively over the top of the screen. No one will notice that your battery is dead.
Coffee Garden
876 E. 900 SouthSalt Lake Roasting Co.
320 E. 400 SouthCacao Cafe
corner of 400 East and 900 SouthJava Jo's
1st Ave and E St.nobrow coffee
315 E. 300 SouthCup of Joe
353 W. 200 SouthCafe d'bolla
249 E. 400 SouthAnd too many more to list here...
So whether your taste run to an all night rave at a secret warehouse or a late Sunday brunch behind dark glasses on the patio you can do it all in the great city of salt.
Public Library
Liberty Park
Bistro at 15th & 15th
Memory Grove Park
Just a few of the 33+ social outlets you may wish to join are: the U of U Lesbian and Gay Student Union, the Lambda Hiking Club, FrontRunners, QUAC, the Gay Rodeo Association, Salt Lake Men's Choir, Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps (ROTC), Goodtimes Bowling league, the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, the Alternative Garden Club, the Stonewall Shooting Sports, the Gay Straight Animal Rights Alliance , Gay Bingo or perhaps the Friends of Thelma and Louise Lesbian Terrorists and Sewing Circle.
Several newspapers and community guides are published locally that keep us informed and entertained. Of the city's two daily papers, the "Salt Lake Tribune" is considered the more liberal. The LDS Church owned "Deseret News" is (surprise, surprise) very conservative.
A Sample of Salt Lake Print Media The Pillar
Q Salt Lake
Salt Lake City Weekly
Salt Lake Tribune
Deseret News
The Catalyst
SLUG (Salt Lake Underground)
21st century gay life in Salt Lake is far removed from the shadows of old. Early pioneer groundwork by The Utah Stonewall Center, Utah AIDS Foundation, People with AIDS Coalition of Utah, Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats, Wasatch Affirmation and the famous East High (of High School Musical fame)Gay / Straight Alliance have created a city where rainbow flags hang from porch rails on every block and where that car stopped next to you at the light will often sport rainbow decals in the window.
New groups and old reflect the breadth of our growing community. What ever your age or predilection, there is something or someone for you in Salt Lake.So don't judge us by what you have heard from those who have never been here. Talk to all of us who have made this our home by choice not chance.
But don't just take my work for it. Talk to some of my past clients:Steve & Richard: aldersteve(at)mindspring.com
Boris: boriskurz(at)yahoo.com
Duane: wasatchaff(at)aol.com
Val: paska7(at)aol.com
Brian: brianfairb(at)aol.com
I really hope this information is helpful whether you are just visiting or a long time resident looking for new links. If relocation is in your future, please give me a call or e-mail for assistance in your new home search. At the very least, visit my links below for more real estate information.And remember...
Whether you're moving up, moving in or just moving on, call me today!
9 Questions Sellers Always ask What's in it for Me (meaning you) Queer in Utah But, We're Just Starting to Look Return to Home Page
Brad Dundas
Stonebrook Real Estate Inc.
6375 South Highland Dr.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84121
bradley@xmission.com
Phone: 801.550.0330 FAX: 801.463.6114
Copyright © 1996 Revised 04/2008 Brad Dundas
