Recently, the Deseret News reported on the perceptions of the international media about Salt Lake City. (Lisa Riley Roche, "Press Not Hyped About S.L. Games," Deseret News November 22, 2000.) According to the Deseret News, the Irish Times recently whined that reporters are dreading their upcoming visit to cover the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City because of our fair city's reputation for being dull. The Irish Times article, entitled "Winter is Going to Be One Big Drag," didn't mince words: "If the recently concluded Sydney Games set a new standard for unbridled joy, the Winter Games which will follow two years hence appear destined to provide the opposite." The Cleveland Plain Dealer similarly berated our City in an article headlined, "Even Teetotalers Are Too Wild for These Games."
My immediate response: These folks obviously have never been to Salt Lake City - and, of course, never have been out with the Mayor! What would the Irish Times or the Cleveland Plain Dealer know about having a good time in Salt Lake City?
So, when asked by I-15 about my ideas for this month's column, I suggested we go out on the town for a little investigative journalism concerning Salt Lake City's nightlife. The shy and retiring folks at I-15 jumped at the suggestion.
I made a list of several of the many spots that would be lively on a Friday night and was picked up after work by Ryan and Keri. We were joined by Morgan and Jeff, and headed for Green Street, one of the surest bets among our city's many fine gathering places for a good crowd immediately after work on a Friday evening. (It's even better on summer nights, when the main-level patio, on the west side of Trolley Square, is filled to capacity.)
We couldn't find a seat, so we just stood near the bar, chatting and observing the local color. Occasionally, friendly locals invited me to their tables to introduce me around or to discuss city issues. There I was, just minding my own business and getting a good start on a night that would prove to the world that Salt Lake City offers a fine time to Friday-night revelers, when the astoundingly beautiful Utah Bikini Team members appeared - ready to join our little adventure. All six of them: Toni (currently Mrs. Utah), Vickie, Shelly, Valery, Heather, and Corie. (Of course, just to keep a grip on reality, I kept reminding myself that I was part of this group only because I am Mayor; otherwise, there's not one of them that would ever have given my four-eyed self a second look.)
After introductions, I sought to prove my Utah roots to the Team and suggested a visit to Squirrel Brothers for a little ice cream. After all, what's a night on the town in Salt Lake City without a little of the favorite Utah delicacy?
After ice cream cones, we proceeded to Port O' Call, home of the award-winning beer garden on the top floor and a mostly collegiate basement, complete with foosball, pool tables, TVs, and other assorted entertainments. Mrs. Utah and I miraculously won a foosball match, then I spent a few minutes discussing politics with some partying University students. By the time we left, the basement was rocking with recorded music and a younger crowd was gathering on the main floor in anticipation of the live band that was about to play.
We were having a grand time, but we remained duty-bound to explore more of Salt Lake City's nightlife. After walking just half a block, we stopped by the Oyster Bar, one of Gastronomy's several contributions to fine dining and drinking in Utah's capital city. The place was jammed, with people talking, laughing, and clearly enjoying themselves in downtown Salt Lake City.
After a photo-op with the staff, I followed our group another half block to Zephyr, most likely Salt Lake City's best place for live rock n' roll and blues. The Zephyr is one of our finest entertainment assets, bringing in such performers as John Mayall, The Young Dubliners, and Buddy Miles. Although the Zephyr was packed and full of people having a great time, we stayed only a few minutes because the band wasn't yet playing and it was apparent that my list of nightlife opportunities was far too long for the time remaining.
Moving on a couple blocks, we went to the Manhattan Club, one of Salt Lake City's classics. Remodeled and under new management, the Manhattan has great appeal for everyone, from the old-timers who have been going there to dine for decades, to the gold-chain-wearing hip-hoppers who come to dance to the mystifyingly monotonous techno-music. (I sing songs like "Mercedes Benz" and "Eleanor Rigby" to myself in the shower; what will these young folks be humming to themselves twenty years hence after listening to this computer-music during their formative years? . . . Am I showing my age?)
Upon exiting the Manhattan, I chatted with one of my favorite neighbors, who is making her mark as an energetic, cheerful bicycle-rickshaw driver in the downtown area. She moved up a notch on my "favorite" scale when she showed me her "Rocky - Mayor" bumper sticker on the back of her rickshaw.
It was getting late, but not too late for our last stop - Club Axis. Friday night at Axis is known as "gay night" - a time when the customers are mostly gay and lesbian and the entertainment is, well, gay and lesbian. The club, which has a $600,000 light and sound system, is reputed to be the best nightclub between Chicago and San Francisco. The reviews in national magazines rave about the place - right here in River City. As expected, Axis was jammed - with an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 people. I once visited Axis when "Phantom of the Opera" was playing on the sound system and I swear my intestines were jumping around inside of me because the music was so intense. If one likes to "feel" the music, Axis is definitely the place to go.
We moved from one crowded room to the next to the next, then I was led by one of the managers to a stage area, where I was introduced to the crowd of several hundred by a drag-queen performer. The audience was wonderful in its reception - grateful, I think, that an elected official not only joined them in their Friday-night partying, but also stands with them against the fear and ignorance that drives so much of the prejudice toward them.
After toasting the audience, I headed for home, grinning to myself about the fun and fascinating evening we had just experienced - and about the surprise that is in store for anyone who comes to Salt Lake City with a preconceived notion that our nightlife is boring. Perhaps one of the best things about the evening (aside from meeting some wonderful, interesting, fun-loving people) was the knowledge that we had barely put a dent in my list of terrific places to go at night in Salt Lake City.
There is Bricks, one of the truly great places for music and other entertainment, indoors and outdoors, with a section for 18-21 year-olds who like to dance to loud music orchestrated by some of the best DJs around. Then there is the Dead Goat Saloon, where local musical talent can be found throughout the week, and the Blue Iguana Express next door, which serves tasty Mexican food 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week - a wonderful place to go after Jazz games or going out late on the town. New clubs are opening, or about to open, including Kristauf's on Market Street. Gastronomy's New Yorker, Market Street Grill, and Baci will add style to any night out in Salt Lake City. Red Rock and Squatter's Brew Pub are always a hit, with more types of beer than one will drink in a year and the sort of delicious food that creates a loyal following.
I've now moved into dangerous territory because I've neglected to name several spots that ought to be explored by any serious night-lifer. But, then, perhaps we should leave a little to the imagination for those out-of-state reporters and others who think we're just a bunch of boring, polygamous sticks-in-the-mud. What a surprise they'll be in for if and when they visit Salt Lake City - especially if they get the Mayor to show them around . . . or if they have the opportunity to play a little foosball with Mrs. Utah.
