Bars, Barbers, Boba, and Burritos
OPEN THE VAULT!
Hotel Monaco has finished its top-to-bottom renovation, including one of our favorite bars, The Vault. The once-tiny bar is a bit bigger, amping up the sophistication, but retaining all the charm of its former self. And, all you blue-cheese-potato-chip fans, Chef Patrick LeBeau updated the dish with fresh-fried Idaho potato chips accompanying a smoked blue cheese, Monterrey jack dip. (It’s delish).
From the folks behind The People’s Coffee and right across the street (inside The Randi) comes The Block Barbershop. This newest edition at Second and Second only adds to the vibrancy of the neighborhood–especially with that awesome neon! Road construction is finished, there are a ton of interesting shops, bars, restaurants, and a new liquor store is just a few months away… is 2nd and 2nd rivaling 9th and 9th?
Private event space, The Tasting Room near The Gateway on 200 South has applied to become a bar, operating under the same name. Intriguing… We love how the owners have finished the 1900’s Goodyear Rubber Factory with beautiful exposed brick and wood. We are excited for the convivial possibilities in this gem.
A stone’s throw up the street, the former Finca/George property is getting some love from a venerable Park City restaurateur. The location in Park City has many, many accolades. We might live across the street from these two downtown additions. We will try to contain our excitement.
We will keep an eye on these... A sign appeared this week inside the Judge Building on the corner of Broadway and Main Street: “New York Pizza Kitchen, coming spring 2024.” Killer–we mean killer–location, this place should print money when they open. Down the street between Cupbop and Kaze Sushi, another ‘coming soon’ wrap has appeared for Boba Tea. The beloved Thai shop on south temple Sawadee opened Sawadee 2Go seemingly overnight on Gallivan Avenue. Next door Kafé Mamai will have opened by the time you read this. The African-Caribbean food truck puts down stakes and offers up their jerk cheeseburgers and sambusas
Next to Main Street’s 222 Building, Mali Thai is sometimes overlooked. It has been rebranded as SHIM. Check them out—the lunch specials offer some delicious curries.
SHH!
We’re burying this one a bit. Citizen is still in a soft opening period, but that’s not the reason we put it at the end of our column. It is a charming little neighborhood bar inside the new Lotus Republic on 300 East near South Temple. Views of downtown from the patio are picturesque, the bar itself is gorgeous, and very kind bartenders are interested and interesting. See why we’d want to keep it to ourselves? 
This Week Downtown
GET A HOTEL ROOM!!!
YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS A MINUTE ON MAIN AND DOWNTOWN THIS WEEKEND
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at 7:30 at Gallivan Center with a free concert by El Grupo Natural. You’ll sway, swoon, and salsa to ranchera, pop, and a little mariachi from this talented and energetic band!
Open Streets returns for a fall edition this Friday! Main Street will turn into an urban playground every Friday and Saturday from noon ‘til 2am! Each weekend brings delightful surprises, like free yoga, pop-up parks, silent disco, urban golf, and lots of free concerts! Check out the full list of fun!
Utah Symphony opens its season with Dvořák’s New World Symphony. Neil Armstrong loved this piece so much he played a recording of it on the moon! The work is paired with two of our favorites: Ravel’s Bolero and Barber’s Violin Concerto. (Friday and Saturday, $17).
NEON RODEO returns! A one-of-a-kind showcase of electrifying music, art, and creativity at the crossroads of the West. Giddyup! (Friday through Saturday)
The confetti cannon of fun explodes at Open Streets with SLAM Block Party 5-8pm. Come see Lionfish and the Salt Lake Academy of Music play a free concert at Main Street and Gallivan Center!
Ciao Bella! Once we had the best gnocchi of our life at Festa Italiana, and we’re determined to find that vendor again this weekend at The Gateway. Utah’s Italian community brings Italian beer and wine, live bands, sports cars, street performers, and yes, delicious food trucks to The Gateway, Saturday and Sunday, 12-7 FREE.
Come for the food, stay for the music at Gallivan’s Rock ‘N’ Ribs! Black Smoke Gypsy, The American Hitmen, and Andrew Boss headline the musical acts. Around the plaza there will be face painting, bounce houses, a merchant marketplace, and plates of ribs starting at just $3!
UNITY Block Party is an inclusive, art-centric event with headliner and social media phenomenon, INKIO. The event will raise money to establish an innovation hub for creative professionals in Salt Lake City. Get your ticket online and then head to Library Square 2-11pm to hear a line-up of 12 artists, $55.
See you at the Market!