Like so many creatively-minded folks that just can’t seem to fit into the box of a traditional workplace, I was drawn to hospitality in my early twenties. For nearly ten years, I worked my way up the ladder from host to barback to server — eventually achieving the exalted status of bartender. Captivated by the chaos, I leveled up my cocktail knowledge with the guidance of some of the most venerable minds in Salt Lake’s industry. I spent countless late nights swapping customer horror stories with coworkers over a mop, and sometimes bonded with those very customers after a post-shift beverage dissolved the boundaries between the server and the served. My life was inextricably bound to the bar in a perfectly maddening way that only those in hospitality can understand. It was, and always will be, my third space.
For our September/October issue, we sought to capture the essence of third space camaraderie that resonates with so many of our readers. So, we present our 27 favorite watering holes in Utah stirring up more than something special in a glass. Comprising nationally-recognized cocktail bars that tease our curiosity and no-frills dives that answer the call for human companionship with a stiff pour and schooled benevolence — these are the places we feel represent the current state of nightlife in Salt Lake. Along the way we highlight four star-tenders that are bringing something special to their establishment, and explore trends signifying an evolving service ideology.
For those whose preferred third spaces take shape in hushed theaters and spotlit stages, our writer Heather Hayes takes us behind the scenes with four of Utah’s leading artistic directors. Utah Opera’s Christopher McBeth dishes on the technically challenging productions that will impress audiences in the 2026-27 season, while Adam Sklute of Ballet West reflects on the ideas and inspiration that guide his final bow as the company’s artistic director. Reignite your appreciation for the arts as more treasured cultural institutions make their case for the upcoming season. This is what’s worth seeing; this is what will move you.
There’s so much more to love in this magazine. So settle in on your favorite barstool. Order your regular from the bartender who knows your name, favorite color, zodiac sign, and probably a few too many intimate details of your personal life. Slow down, sip your way through the pages. And then tip 25%. It’s the least you could do to show your appreciation for the third spaces that show up for us time and time again.
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