Bars Out West 

Bars Out West
The bars of Salt Lake Valley’s west side offer things that downtown Salt Lake City can’t compete with, from the massive dance floor of The Westerner to the log-cabin vibe of Totem’s to the compact batch of bars in Magna. You can also find 2011’s coldest beer at Magna’s Filling Station.

31.7 Totem’s
West Valley City is almost like Texas—everything is bigger here, including Totem’s. The restaurant and lounge feature huge seating for a live-music stage used every Friday and Saturday. The lodge-like structure packs ’em in for the music and dancing but closes early on weeknights, when folks mostly from the neighborhood drop by. 538 S. Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, 801-975-0401

34.1 Copper Creek
Upon entering Copper Creek, you will surely catch a whiff of the famed “chubby burger” and well-seasoned fries. The bar is well-lit, staying true to its name in giving off a copper ambiance. The bartenders are friendly and the regular customers even friendlier, always looking for great conversation: It’s definitely worth a draft beer (in a frosted glass from the freezer) next time you’re in town. 3451 S. 5600 West, Suite A, West Valley City, 801-417-0051, CopperCreekPub.com

35.6 Wasted Space
Formerly AJ’s Lounge, this little hideaway can be found on 200 South right before it curves southward under the freeway. The new owners have gussied up the bar with a coat of black paint, brushed metal and a soon-to-open patio, while maintaining its unpretentious, neighborhood-bar feel. Like that band you liked before they were popular, Wasted Space is worth a visit to build your indie street cred. 161 S. Pueblo St., Salt Lake City

36.8 Club DJs
This ’90s-grunge bar near Bangerter Highway is definitely for a particular crowd. The dimly lit bar has plenty of seating in an open warehouse-like setting fit for dart competitions. Although in need of a slight touch-up, the bar seems to have an interesting history, calling regulars back nightly. 3849 W. 5400 South, Taylorsville, 801-964-8575, ClubDJsUtah.com

38.3 Lofte’s Club
Pronounced like lofty dreams, not like a room near a roof, Lofte’s Club may be the best place in town to flirt with some beautiful strangers on their way to Tokyo or Berlin. The only thing regular about Lofte’s airport clientele is how regularly it changes. Attached to a restaurant next door, Lofte’s is a clean, high-ceilinged facility where nobody knows your name—and sometimes, that might be just what you’re looking for. 2106 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City, 801-741-1188, LoftesPizza.com

38.8 Good Spirits
This younger crowd of rowdy west-side rascals knows how to have fun! With occasional live music and karaoke every Thursday, this bar has something unique: the arcade game you punch to show how strong you are. 999 W. 3500 South, Salt Lake City, 801-263-0411

38.8 Bill’s Lounge
A concrete box abutting a large lawn, Bill’s Lounge is the archetype of neighborhood holes in the wall—that is to say, dimly lit escape cubbies for weary workin’ folk. Bill’s, a beer-only tavern, specializes in the domestic and so does the clientele, who’ll favor the place for the familiar simplicity of beer, good company and maybe some pool. Bill’s hosts occasional karaoke on Fridays and serves pizza and spaghetti with similar frequency. 9027 W. 2700 South, Magna, 801-250-9987

39.2 Copper King
Ever had a buddy with a cool basement? Although it sits at street level, the Copper King is kinda like that guy’s man cave. The Kennecott-adjacent joint has darts, twice-weekly karaoke night, three billiards tables —free every Wednesday—and might make the intended one-off Pajama Night a regular thing. Regulars dig the enclosed patio, and there’s a selection of microwaveable comestibles upon request. 9071 W. 2700 South, Magna, 801-252-1226

39.9 Art’s Place
Art’s Place is a surprisingly spacious neighborhood beer bar. This is where locals come to unwind, chat with neighbors and play a couple rounds of pool before heading home after a long day. While the beer menu is not extensive and back-bar snacks consist of packaged chips and peanuts, Art’s more than makes up for it with a warm, laid-back vibe. Drop by on Saturdays to get down to the weekly DJ, who spins Latin grooves until closing time. 76 S. 900 West, Salt Lake City, 801-363-9117

40.1 The Redwood Lounge
This retro and dim place is where all the workers in the area go when their own bars and restaurants close for the night. A glass of draft beer will set you back only $1.75, and the relaxed atmosphere makes for a nice vibe. The vintage décor is spotted with football helmets, and there’s plenty of seating to watch the big game. 502 S. Redwood Road, West Valley City, 801-972-9822

42.0 Club Rendezvous
Hidden almost in plain sight adjacent to the west side of the Kmart parking lot, Club Rendezvous is a surprisingly special place. With horseshoe pits out back used each Thursday for tournaments and $6.50 steak-dinner specials on Tuesdays, this longtime family-owned club has a regiment of happy regulars. The first Friday of each month features live music, and karaoke happens on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Monday is poker night. 4100 S. 1900 West, West Valley City, 801-972-4264

45.3 Lone Star Saloon
This neighborhood bar with a deep passion for NASCAR features karaoke every Friday and Saturday night. Antlers dot the wood walls of a space that gives off a vibe that feels like something between a ski lodge and a barn. Pool tables are only 25 cents, which keeps a loyal crew of regulars coming back not just for the pool but for the grub and suds, too. 3153 W. 2100 South, West Valley City, 801-972-0506

45.7 The Westerner
Here you’ll find a Redwood Road classic—a cavernous dance hall perfect for boot-scootin’ and two-steppin’ with half of West Valley City. The pool tables are free, and free karaoke is hosted every day in a room dedicated to the art. Line dancing is each Wednesday and Thursday, and on Friday, the Westerner offers free line-dancing lessons. 3360 S. Redwood Road, West Valley City, 801-972-5447

47.1 West Valley Billiards
With its beef from Hunsakers, this place brags about having the best freakin’ burger in town. This beer-only pool hall features an all-ages section, arcade, in-house pool leagues, and more pool tables than anywhere for many miles. West Valley Billiards also features a golf table—a pool table that’s even bigger than a snooker table. 4669 W. 3500 South, West Valley City, 801-968-2200

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