The holidays are upon us in Salt Lake City and if you’re hoping to cozy up with a cocktail this season, now is the time to make a plan. Between high-demand and limited holiday hours at Utah liquor stores, it’s wise to stock your bar well ahead of time. You’ll also need to think ahead about how you’ll get around if you’re going out; public transportation or a ride service such as Uber or Lyft. Here are some tips to help with your holiday spirits in Utah – at home and out on the town.
Liquor, Mixed Drinks, Cocktails
Credit: Caputo’s
If You Want to Stay In
Don’t wait until the last minute to get the ingredients for your favorite cocktail! While it’s relatively easy to pick up a six pack any day of the week at your neighborhood grocery store or brewery, packaged liquor is available exclusively at state-run liquor stores. These outlets are typically open Monday through Saturday, always closed Sunday and holidays. You can easily locate your nearest liquor outlet on the DABC’s website but sometimes it’s worth going to a larger store that’s farther away if you want a wider selection. The DABC offers a product locator online so you can check for a specific item and before heading out.
Cocktail-nerd-quality provisions are available but might require an additional errand or two. Would you like some artisan bitters or cherries to enhance the flavor of your Old Fashioned? Stop by a specialty market such as Caputo’s or Boozetique for all your mixology needs.
If you want to go out
If you prefer to have a professional make your drinks, there are a bevy of bars happy to serve you a beverage. For a fancy cocktail we recommend Bar X in downtown SLC. The cozy interior and high quality cocktails are well worth a venture out in the cold. Or you could stay warm with a stroll through the holiday windows at the Grand America followed by dinner and drinks at their new restaurant, Laurel, opening December 1st. If you find yourself in Park City, you can’t go wrong with a drink at The High West Saloon.
WINE
If you want to stay in
Are you dreaming of a white (or red or sparkling) wine? Head to one of the two state-run liquor stores that specialize in wine:
- Store 35, 255 South 300 East, open Monday through Saturday, 11am – 7pm
- Store 41, 280 West Harris Ave (1605 South 300 West), open Monday through Saturday, 11am – 7pm
These stores have impressive inventories from around the world and the staff members are usually willing to help you make a selection. The DABC also has an app (UT DABC App) to eliminate driving between stores if you’re searching for something in particular.
If you want to go out
The holidays are a wonderful time to gather with friends for a nice dinner and a bottle of wine. Restaurants in Utah are allowed to charge a corkage fee. Avoid any unwanted surprises by asking about the corkage fee before you get the check. For a sophisticated, wine-focused experience spend an evening at BTG in downtown Salt Lake City.
BEER
If You Want to Stay In
It’s illegal to sell or possess beer in any container larger than 2 liters in Utah. No kegs, no party balls. But you can get your 64 ounce growlers filled at local breweries. You can also purchase bottled or canned beer onsite from many breweries and take it home to enjoy.
Epic Brewing, located downtown, is proud to sell cold, full-strength beer to go seven days a week. State run liquor stores carry respectable selections of local and imported beers. The stores on 300 West (store #41) and 3300 South (store #25) both have large beer selections. Liquor stores, with one unicorn exception in Taylorsville, don’t have refrigerators. Pick up your beers with ample time for them to chill before drinking them.
If You Want to Go Out
Great news—Utah’s craft brewing community is booming! There are dozens of breweries throughout Salt Lake City and many of them are national medal winners. Belly up to the bar at Fisher Brewery to try one of their 17 beers on tap. You could easily spend an evening taste testing in Sugarhouse; Wasatch, Hopkins, and Craft by Proper are close neighbors. The Beerhive and The Bayou are two beer focused bars (must be 21 to enter) that offer impressive beer selections from around the world.
Credit: Shutterstock
Cheers!
Whether your plans involve eggnog in your living room or toasting with friends at a neighborhood pub, we at Niche Homes sincerely hope you have a safe and merry holiday season.
Niche Homes is a full-service real estate agency specializing in Wasatch Front neighborhoods and enclaves. Contact us if you are interested in buying or selling a home.
