By ROBERT ELIAS DEATON
Part 2 of 2
This week we return to Utah, land of the Mormons, clear skies, mountain ranges, and little bluestem—which is not the name of an small Indian Chief but rather a beautiful scrub grass which is indigenous to the Salt Lake City area and whose seeds feed flocks of migrating songbirds this time of year. Now, before we launch into our discussion of the Salt Lake City gay nightclub scene, let’s clear up a little confusion. You’ve probably heard that Mormons don’t believe in drinking alcohol (or coffee or tea, for that matter).
But just because the church controls much of Salt Lake City does not mean that it is hard to find a gay club serving liquor in the city. Up until 2009, it was a bit more difficult, since clubs and restaurants serving liquor operated as private establishments requiring guests to pay a membership fee. While many current guidebooks still claim that this is the case, the liquor laws changed several years ago and membership fees are the stuff of memory. That’s the good news and the bad news. Rather than lose the income that membership fees provided, gay bars now charge a cover fee, which is typically more than the old membership fee—between $5 and $10, depending on the club.
Not a deal breaker, of course, but still a factor when putting together your budget for a nightly cruise. Our personal favorite of all clubs in Salt City City is JAM (JamSLC.com) in the Marmalade Historical District at 751 N 300 West. This sophisticated eco-friendly joint has bamboo floors, stone-topped bars, and an ambiance that throws off strong shades of a Manhattan loft. Don’t be intimidated by the wash of attitude that occasionally floods from the cuter clientele here. It’s a protective illusion that quickly crumbles when picked at like a fresh scab.
On Friday nights, the well drinks are $5.00. So, too, are the Long Island ice teas. Club Try-Angles (http://www.clubtry-angles.com) is located at 251 W 900 South. It’s a small neighborhood space that has a fun Sunday barbecue, and a naughty underwear night the third Saturday of every month. There’s zero attitude at “The Try,” strong drinks and an always-busy pool table. Keep a look out for the drag queen pool shark before you write your name on the chalkboard. The Trapp (www.thetrappslc.com) is a wood-paneled nightclub with no cover charge and great music from a house DJ called D. Mosey up to the bar and you’ll discover a pleasant mix of older guys and the boys who like them—really like them from the looks of things.
Great outside barbecue on Sundays in the spring and summer; a buffet for the rest of the year. Find the excitement at 102 S 600 West. While there are many, many great places to stay in the area—including a wide selection of gay B&B’s—the holy grail of hotels is the Grand America. (www. grandamerica.com). Built in 2001 and located at 555 S Main Street, this five-star luxury palace of opulence is 775 rooms worth of excess.
Yes, it’s over-the-top by anyone’s standards, with many of the accommodations including full kitchens, washer and dryers, and microwave oven. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the spectacular Wasatch Mountain Range and all of downtown Salt Lake City. The Grand Spa in the hotel offers a lavish fitness center with cardio and strength training equipment, plus executive services including hot-towel shaves, full back and chest waxes, facials, pedicures, manicures, and expert haircuts at very reasonable rates. Brigham Young would be pleased.
