The capital of Utah, Salt Lake City, has a vibrant drinking culture with countless bars around the downtown area. If you want to make your next night out in Salt Lake City a little more special, why not go to a speakeasy-style bar?
Speakeasies are unique bars that were popular during the Prohibition era in the 1920s when the sale and consumption of alcohol were illegal. This didn't stop everyone from drinking, and many bars called speakeasies had hidden entrances and passwords that only insiders knew. These were the only places people could drink and socialize throughout the 1920s and early 1930s.
Even though there hasn't been a need for real speakeasies to exist anymore since the end of Prohibition, many bars keep the decor and the secrecy of this period alive. You'll find many speakeasy-style bars like this in Salt Lake City, and our article will list the best ones. Read on to learn more about the best speakeasies in Salt Lake City, Utah.
What Are the Different Types of Speakeasy Bars in Salt Lake City?
You'll find different types of speakeasies in Salt Lake City. These types of bars have changed a lot over the years, as there's no real reason for them to exist. However, many bars have kept the hidden entrances, secluded spaces, and the decorations of Prohibition as a throwback to this era.
While some of the speakeasies in Salt Lake City have hidden entrances you need to locate to access, others are regular bars with secluded areas. There are also Salt Lake City bars that have been open since the end of Prohibition and maintained more or less the same interior.
With many different types of speakeasies in Salt Lake City, from upscale bars that require cocktail attire to others that are more relaxed, you're sure to find at least a few that match your vibe.
The Best Speakeasy in Salt Lake City: Our Top 5 Picks
Salt Lake City is home to several speakeasies ranging from secret spaces with a hidden entrance to regular cocktail bars with secluded areas that offer more intimacy than the main bar.
Below, you'll find our top five picks out of all the speakeasies you can find in Salt Lake City. We'll include the working hours, website, phone number, reservation policy, and the exact location of each speakeasy, as well as the dress codes to know before visiting.
1) Prohibition
Image sourced from: https://www.prohibitionutah.com.
- Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11 AM – 11 PM; Friday: 11 AM – 1 AM; Saturday: 9 AM – 1 AM; Sunday: 9 AM – 10 PM
- Website: https://www.prohibitionutah.com
- Phone Number: (801) 281-4852
- Reservations Policy: Reservation Required
- Address: 151 E 6100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84107
- Open in Google Maps
Prohibition, located at 151 E 6100 in Murray, is one of the few traditional speakeasies in Salt Lake City. If you've been in the city for some time, you likely know this 1920s-themed speakeasy, as it is by far the most visited bar in Salt Lake City.
To enter Prohibition, you'll need to find the hidden entrance behind Mary's Antiques and Oddities. However, make sure to make a reservation and dress appropriately. Prohibition has a "smart casual" dress code, so no torn jeans, shorts, or flip-flops - a semi-formal cocktail attire, at the very least, is expected from guests.
Inside, you'll experience live music and burlesque shows. On top of craft cocktails and a wide range of spirits to choose from, Prohibition in Salt Lake City has a fairly extensive dinner and brunch menu. If you're looking to experience what it was like to drink in an actual speakeasy in the 1920s, Prohibition is definitely the place to go.
2) Bodega and The Rest
- Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 5 PM – 11 PM; Friday – Saturday: 5 PM – 1 AM
- Website: https://www.bodega331.com/
- Phone Number: (801) 532-4042
- Reservations Policy: Reservations Required
- Address: 331 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
- Open in Google Maps
Bodega and the Rest appears just like any other bar in the downtown area at first, but that's just what it seems like on the surface. Once you enter, you're in Bodega, and to access "The Rest," where all the speakeasy charm is, you'll need to speak to the staff and show your reservation. You will then be guided to the concealed staircase leading down to The Rest.
Once you're down there, you'll discover a dimly lit speakeasy with elegant decor and handcrafted cocktails. The Rest has a small but tasty menu ranging from filling meals to desserts. If you're on a specific diet or vegan, you'll be surprised how many vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options this speakeasy has.
As you can expect from a speakeasy as upscale as this one, The Rest requires guests to follow a business casual dress code. That means no shorts, flip-flops, or sportswear. It is an upscale speakeasy in Salt Lake City that calls for formal attire or something more refined, like collared shirts and office jeans.
3) Lake Effect
Image sourced from: https://www.lakeeffectslc.com.
- Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11 AM – 1 AM
- Website: https://www.lakeeffectslc.com
- Phone Number: (801) 532-2068
- Reservations Policy: Not Required
- Address: 155 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
- Open in Google Maps
Lake Effect is yet another popular bar in downtown Salt Lake City. This bar has three unique spaces on three different floors, but the only area that interests those looking for a speakeasy in the city is the Rabbit Hole.
This bar in Salt Lake City is one of the most aesthetically pleasing speakeasies, with marble tables and eclectic decor. It is a cozy place with plenty of cocktails, spirits, and food options.
Since the Rabbit Hole isn't the only space in Lake Effect, you can discover the Church, the club upstairs, if you ever find yourself too relaxed and want to dance the night away.
For walk-ins, reservations aren't required if you're just by yourself, on a date, or with a small group of friends. Reservations are required only for private events, and when booked, they don't accept guests as the space can only be booked entirely. Due to this, it is best to call them and ask if the Rabbit Hole is booked on the day of your visit.
4) Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining
Image sourced from: https://www.whiskeystreet.com.
- Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11 AM – 1 AM
- Website: https://www.whiskeystreet.com
- Phone Number: (801) 433-1371
- Reservations Policy: Not Required
- Address: 323 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
- Open in Google Maps
Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining in the downtown area is all about speakeasy vibes. It is located in an old building and features a decor that makes a throwback to the Prohibition era.
Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining differs from others we've listed in our best speakeasies in Salt Lake City article with its huge selection of American bites. If you're a foodie and want to taste some delicious food before drinking your favorite alcoholic beverages, this cocktail bar is by far the best in Salt Lake City.
The Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining dress code is casual, but it wouldn't hurt to dress up a little more upscale. While this cocktail bar doesn't have the biggest speakeasy charm with no hidden doors or a password to enter, the vintage decor and the menu that lures in foodies will guarantee a memorable night out.
5) Bar-X
Image sourced from: https://barxslc.com.
- Hours: Sunday – Monday: 6 PM – 1 AM; Tuesday – Saturday: 4 PM – 1 AM
- Website: https://barxslc.com
- Phone Number: (801) 355-2287
- Reservations Policy: Only Required for Private Events and Parties
- Address: 155 E 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
- Open in Google Maps
The last speakeasy in Salt Lake City that made its way to our list is Bar-X. It is located in downtown Salt Lake City, like all the other speakeasies we've mentioned so far, except for Prohibition.
The entrance to Bar-X is through Beer Bar, one of the most popular bars downtown, with tasty snacks and a broad selection of beers. You enter Bar-X through a hidden doorway you will find on the left once you're inside the Beer Bar. It is a speakeasy without security at the entrance, which gives a sense of exclusivity once you become a regular visitor.
This speakeasy was opened in 1933 and has kept some of the original decor to pay tribute to the original speakeasy-style bars. Bar-X also specializes in intimate classic and craft cocktails that were popular in the Prohibition era.
While it has an upscale vibe, Bar-X is the most relaxed speakeasy in our article without a dress code. Everyone can come to Bar-X as they are and try their classic and craft cocktails.
How to Find a New Speakeasy in Salt Lake City?
Finding new speakeasies in Salt Lake City isn't as tricky as it once was for people who lived in the 1920s and 1930s. Now, we have the power of the internet, and every new speakeasy-style bar will make sure to get themselves heard through social media.
Still, word of mouth is just as effective as it was for finding new speakeasies in Salt Lake City. As you spend your night in the speakeasies we've listed in our article, keep your ear to the ground to stay on top of newly opened speakeasy-style bars in Salt Lake City.
Find the Best Salt Lake City Speakeasy
While finding new speakeasies in Salt Lake City won't be a difficult task, locating the best one that meets what you would consider the best speakeasy may take some work. However, it will be a fun one as you will need to try a few drinks at the speakeasies we've listed in our article.
If you're looking for a true speakeasy experience, Prohibition and The Rest are perhaps the best and first places to visit. Lake Effect's Rabbit Hole and Bar-X are equally good options for those looking for more private spaces without needing a whole speakeasy experience with all the passwords or hidden entrances.
Lastly, Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining is the place for foodies who want to eat something delicious in a speakeasy-style atmosphere. Whether you plan on leaving for your next night out by yourself or with friends, the places we've listed in our article have the best speakeasy experience in Salt Lake City.
