Gay Salt Lake City
Alan YorgasonSalt Lake City is probably most known for its neighboring ski slopes and as the home of the Church of Latter Day Saint's largest temple, but Salt Lake City itself (unlike small town Utah) does not have a Mormon majority and seeks to broaden its appeal. There's a reasonably sized gay community here with over 15,000 people attending pride last year.
As far as gay nightlife goes, in 2003 Salt Lake City loosened its longstanding unique set of liquor laws. With that, bars and clubs have flourished, but you still need to know the terminology.
- A bar/pub/restaurant - they'll serve only beer or wine
- A private club - officially, you have to be a member to enter, but
someone at the door can "sponsor" you, or you can just pay for a
2-week membership. If you are stuck, ask the doorman to hook you up
with a "sponsor".