Word on the Street - Festive Finds

November 29, 2018 Written by

Downtown Salt Lake City is alive and thriving as ever! While we recently witnessed the closing of a classic restaurant, The New Yorker, we are continuing to experience the lasting legacy of the vibrant culture it helped to launch many years ago.

Some restaurants have moved locations to allow for larger crowds or more convenient service. Other restaurant groups are opening new locations to keep up with the increasing and evolving demand. We continue to see growth of the dining and nightlife along Main Street, especially between 300 and 400 South. And of course, the folks over at The Gateway are working hard to make it a commercial and entertainment destination on the west side of downtown with multiple openings and announcements in recent months. Many of these openings come just in time for the busy holiday season, but don’t expect them to stop any time soon! We look forward to sharing a lot more with you at the start of the new year.

Recently Opened

Alibi Bar & Place | 369 South Main Street
Alibi is a welcome addition to the resurging “Whiskey Street” section of Main Street. Though quaint, the bright space adds a new vibe to add to your bar route. Its size may mean it fills up quickly, but that could also be due to the selection of inexpensive wines and craft cocktails whipped up by expert bartenders.

Anson Calder | 50 South Main Street (At City Creek Center)
New York-based Anson Calder recently moved the fulfillment and operations of its premium leather goods to Utah. Soon after, the brand opened up an exclusive, experiential retail location at City Creek Center to show off its goods to the public. You’ll be able to witness on-site monogramming as well as demonstrations of burnishing, skiving, sewing, and even leather splitting at the store. Though you can buy online from anywhere, this is the only place you’ll be able to see the experiments and prototypes for yourself!

Button Down | 122 Pierpont Avenue
Sports bar, meet nightclub. Button Down brings together the best of both worlds, featuring an upscale sports bar setting that turns into a nightclub for the weekends. You no longer need to choose between dancing and watching the game! Button Down regularly hosts watch parties and other events, including a weekly Wine Down Wednesday.

Caffe Molise & BTG Wine Bar | 404 South West Temple
One of downtown’s favorite restaurants just got a serious upgrade. You have probably seen the large banner on the side of the historic Eagle Building for a while now, but the renovation is finally complete. In case you’re worried about the loss of incredible outdoor dining, the new Caffe Molise also boasts an impressive patio. The open layout includes a ballroom on the top floor that can be reserved for private events. Head downstairs for BTG Wine Bar, which is sure to please any wine lover.

Christopher’s Prime Tavern & Grill | 110 West Broadway
Another relocated downtown restaurant, Christopher’s has taken over its old location at Peery Hotel. You can expect the same delicious menu with even better service than ever before.

City of Industry | 209 East Broadway
Joining a large number of local shops along Broadway, City of Industry is an outlet for makers and hobbyists. Products range from pins, patches, stationery, and other unique goods you won’t find anywhere else. The store is currently open for business on weekends, leaving plenty of opportunities to find a perfect gift.

The Daily | 222 South Main Street
The Copper Onion team has done it again. The quirky cafe features a simple but chef-driven menu utilizing fresh, local ingredients. The Daily offers an impressive selection of teas, coffee, and cold-pressed juices in addition to gourmet grab & go options. You’ll also want to try the baked goods, which are as tasty as they are beautiful.

Embers Boutique | 281 South Weechquootee Place
Ladies, if you’re looking for some unique flair to add to your wardrobe, stop by Embers in Gallivan Plaza. The small fashion shop has an eclectic selection of clothing and accessories that will surely make you stand out from the crowd.

Kiln | 26 South Rio Grande Street (At The Gateway)
A coworking community originally launched in Lehi, Kiln opened its doors late last month at The Gateway. While surely not the first coworking space in downtown, it has a local touch that will surely appeal to professionals in the city. Private, resident and club memberships provide the flexibility for you to choose how you work. Kiln also has an on-site cafe (see Voro Café below) and plenty of event space, so look out for a number of community events there!

Ramen Bar | 319 South Main Street
This is the second location for the popular Ramen Haus in Ogden. Following on the current ramen trend, Ramen Bar offers an affordable, yet gourmet selection of ramen. You’ll also find an assortment of other Japanese specials, including a delectable honey toast for dessert.

Rugged Grounds Outpost | 29 East 400 South
It may be hard to believe, but this coffee shop came to SLC from Provo. Serving local Great Basin Coffee, Rugged Grounds also offers a selection of tea and kombucha and a basic menu of comfort food.

Salt & Honey Market | 111 South Rio Grande Street (At The Gateway)
Following up on its popular pop-up markets, Salt & Honey recently opened a permanent retail location at The Gateway. The shop curates products from a number of local makers with the goal of helping creative professionals establish their own successful businesses. You can find everything from home decor and kitchen items to jewelry and stationery every day. Also check out special events, such as the Christmas Makers Market.

Sonoma Grill | 110 West Broadway
Another project from the group behind Christopher’s, Sonoma Grill boasts an eclectic, farm-inspired menu. The wine bar offers an impressive selection of wines to pair with your dinner and is available for private events. Its old-world charm is the perfect complement to Peery Hotel and the downtown dining scene.

Voro Café | 26 South Rio Grande Street (At The Gateway)
Located inside the new Kiln space, Voro Café fuses together elements of Italian and Brazilian cuisine for a unique breakfast and lunch spot. The café will offer Campos coffee along with a variety of teas and raw-pressed juices with easy access for both Kiln tenants and the general public.

Opening Soon

Fat Boy Phillies | 400 South State Street
Fat Boy Phillies opened its first location in Murray to rave reviews earlier this year. Now it’s opening shop downtown on the corner of 400 South and State Street. Our mouths are already watering for some nice, juicy cheesesteaks!

Kazé Sushi | 65 East Broadway
The area around Gallivan Plaza is becoming a destination of lunch spots. A new sign for Kazé Sushi can be seen just a few doors down from the recently-opened Ramen930. We don’t know much about it yet, but we are always open to the idea of some good sushi.

Punch Bowl Social | 6 North Rio Grande Street (At The Gateway)
Denver-based Punch Bowl Social recently announced its newest location at The Gateway. The adult playground features bowling, karaoke, and an assortment of other activities alongside craft drinks and artisan food. Get ready for a social scene like you haven’t seen before downtown.

Seabird Bar & Vinyl Room | 11 South Rio Grande Street (At The Gateway)
Have you noticed a trend of “At The Gateway” yet? The diverse mix of new tenants will soon include a fully-licensed bar, a sister concept to the neighboring La Barba Coffee. We hear Seabird will open its doors before year’s end, so keep your fingers crossed for some craft cocktails and rich vinyl tunes this holiday season.

Torrent Cycle (252 East Broadway)
After months of preparation, Torrent Cycle is scheduled for a grand opening on December 7! You may have noticed the pop-up on 400 South, but the new space will be sure to stand out to any fitness junkie. Don’t be afraid to work up a sweat and get your day off to a good start at the boutique cycling studio.

Do you know of a new business we missed? Got some tips of one getting ready to open? Let us know at !