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Show B4 Openings 1994 The Daily Utah Chronicle r CTP D 1 l Ci fr??V staff spent a week relentlessly exploring Salt Lake's night life. To our surprise, we actually found a number of night clubs and bars that cater to an increasingly diverse population. While our money ran out before we could sample every dub (not that we didn't try), what follows is an abridged sampling of our favorite and not so favorite nocturnal attractions. 77e Chronicle's popular arts BURT'S TIKI LOUNGE STEPHEN SPENCER BY (726 South State) Chronicle Staff Writer large majority of the University of Utah's students are under 21. The biggest chunk of residents in the valley with some disposable income and more freedom (whether from parents or family) than any other are college students. Barred from private clubs and other alcohol-sellin- g venues, all this raw, young energy gyrates in the city's "dry" dance clubs The Bay, Club XThe Vortex and Club Confetti. The Edge, in Provo, is another "dry" club. In reviewing the closer three, I n was amazed at the of music, clientele and cross-sectio- general outlook this small sample of night life provided. These clubs not only have their own differences, but most also offer themed nights or rooms. One, the Club XVortex combination, even changes its name to suit the theme of the evening. If you're going for the first time, make sure you bring an I.D. and a friend. The writhing mass of strangers could be as intimidating as exciting, and it helps to have someone to talk to while waiting in line, which can take quite some time, especially if you arrive past 10:45 or 11 p.m. The Bay 400 S. West the Hilton), Temple (park 363-262Open Tues., Timrs. 8:30 until 1; Wed. Tues. and Fri., Sat. Thurs. are Country nights, 3; 9-- 9-- 1; 2. with dancing lessons; Wed., 25 and over; Fri. is College Night $3 wID; Fri. and Sat. Alternative downstairs, Top 40 53-5- Cover The Bay is the oldest of the clubs reviewed. It has just recently moved from its old digs to the Eagles Building, which has been extensively remodeled. On all nights, the average age is 21 or 22, meaning many people who are of drinking age would rather dance or hang out in a upstairs. smoke-fre- e, alcohol-fre- e envi- ronment. People at the Bay come from all over the valley, and many come from Provo and Ogden as well. However, the staff estimates that, on college night, as many as s of the audience U. the from comes the also is The Bay easily largest or these three clubs, taking up the entire three-toV- y building. There is a large upper dance floor with a balcony, and another room, two-third- nearly as large, in the basement. On the main floor, a lounge with music videos or the Jazz game exists to soothe tired customers and allow socialization. During difference between this club and Club X and the Bay it's not nearly as slick and has more of an underground feel. Club X and The Vortex In Exchange Place (enter from piped out here, while water volleyball or simple talking pass the night away. Right now, the Bay, as is typical, has many gimmicks Club X), Sat. (as the Vortex), 9:30-2- ; 18 on dance floor, 21 for balcony, patio and y themed lounges; Alternative all nights (some- or promotions going on. Every weekend, men and women compete for the best body in Salt Lake. Bit by bit, best arms, legs, torso or some part will be selected by the clubbers that night. Also, starting soon and running through most of September, the Bay offers a free barbecue every weekend, "Built-to-Part- y" with Q99.5 ed i d o The Bay is definitely the most mainstream dance club in the city. The music is never constantly deafening, but no one complains about its soft-- n s s e r a , Club Confetti 2100 South, Thu.- - Sat. 486-426- 909 E. Open 1; Industrial, Modem, Techno all nights; 9-- 1; cover $3 before 10, $5 after. This club is the youngest dance club in the city in the two senses of the word clientele is young and the club hasn't been around very long. The minimum age is only 16, so this is as much a high school club as anything else. There are two rooms in this converted old building, the larger features more mainstream alternative, while the smaller specializes in techno music. harder-cor- e These two rooms are adjacent, but the music remains 1 i s o a t e d . The clientele at this club is notably different than the others, mainly because of the not so many people age are there to meet people as to dance. There are certain extremes of customer, as well. If you arrive early or on a Thursday, plan on encoun- tering the wannabe living dead Gothics, complete with black lipstick or full are a defivampire nite presence. Later on, the make-u- p, mix tends to the more ntional-looking f conve- modern n a Confetti Club has refreshingly few promotions or gimmicks zero, in fact. The place exists solely as a place for people to dance and meet ; State or 400 South), Wed. Fri. and (as open 521-9292- what different as Vortex); cover varies call. Club X seems to have the quickest pulse of all the clubs I reviewed. While the Bay is more the standard for the dance clubs of Salt Lake, and Club Confetti feels more rebellious, Club X's clientele seems to keep the place throbbing. This club is not for the faint of heart. The music is, j definitely louder than Confetti or the Bay, but let- ting the actual decibels vibrate you across the floor has a certain appeal. This club's lounge areas are only, but talking or hangare not the only way out ing to meet people. When asked 21-pl- us why she went to Club X, freshman Darci Dixon said, "I like to dance with strange men!" The simple allure of dancing all night is indeed not the only factor many clients, say the staffs of all the clubs, come to meet peo-- p e 1 The biggest drawback to a night at Club X is the omnipresent cigarette smoke. Whether allowed or not, smoking goes on inside the club, and, to this non-smoke- r, it was hard to have a good time with burning eyes. If you smoke, however, this is a plus, since the other clubs enforce no smoking policies. Club X's older and younger, patrons mix, somewhat, on the lower floor, but in many ways, the club is like two separate clubs. There are two lines to get in, two entrances, and there are not very many wristbands downstairs. Generally, Club Confetti is for someone who detests the refined flavor of the estab- lished clubs, Club XThe Vortex is more intense and The Bay is the most mainstream and musically diverse. At all the clubs, the most important thing is the music, instead of the alcohol, so the pressure of conversation and new people is smothered by the common ground Uinta, and Murphy's, Burt's draws many who like to play a game of pool and hear the latest local phenomenon to hit Salt Lake City, the recent rockabilly resurgence. Burt's has become the unofficial home of the rockabilly movement and ASHBURYPUB (22 E. 100 S.) in a basement, it's downtown, it's cozy. It has live music, pool tables, and beers as tall as a third-grade- r. Ashbury Pub, the name in reference to San Francisco's his- presents many local talents such as Broken Hearts, The Scoffed, and the dearly departed Voodoo Swing. An important thing to point out about Burt's is that there is never a cover charge to get in, which makes it easier on those less fortunate college students. The interior of the Tiki Lounge is interesting enough to keep you fascinated for hours on end with the unique decoration. As its name would imply, Burt's features palm leaves over the bar and ceiling, as well as Polynesian masks hanging on the wall. Something to toric Haight and Ashbury beat-heav- everyone is there to move. J neighborhood, is a guaranteed rockin' good time. Megan Peters plays every Thursday night, and other favorite local acts like Backwash and Tempo Timers play Wednesday through Saturday. The cover charge, less with your college ID., is always affordable. The business crowd packs this place during lunch, and in the evening, the pub brims with the college sort. Great prices and generous portions, Ashbury Pub has a better than look out for when visiting moderate selection of sandwiches, burgers, soup and Burt's is the odd assortment of pictures of JFK, Jesus, and Elvis. One unique picture had Jesus offering patrons a mug of Burt's beer. Even with all the oddities, Burt's Tiki" Lounge is a very casual place and no one should feel intimidated about visiting. appetizers. The tall beers are called yards and are 52 ounces of your favorite brew for only four bucks. Ashbury Pub is relatively new to Salt Lake and is already the place to be. -J-.H. They provide an atmosphere that is perfect for a final stop after a long and grueling day. BARX (155 East 200 South) Located in the heart of K.G. Bar X remembers that a bar exists for one essential reason the DEAD GOAT SALOON con- sumption of alcohol. Because of Utah's liquor laws, Bar X can only serve beer. But Bar X reduces its scope even further, (165 S. West Temple) Dead Goat Saloon is a beer tavern that features blues, rock and acoustic music. The atmosphere is riddled with character that oozes off the walls, exposed ceiling The allowing patrons only the choice of draft Coors or Coors Light. What Bar X lacks in selection, it compensates for in sheer volume. A fishbowl-siz- e tankard guaranteed to put a drinking lightweight under the and wooden bar. Monday Night Blues is broadcast by KRCL one Monday every month. Bands are mostly local, but an occasional big name blues artist will appear. Manager Linda Anderson said the Dead Goat tries to table costs only $3. Smaller sizes are available, but are certainly not conducive to the raison d'etre of Bar X. Bar X's low prices and keep the cost of admission loca- tion draw one of the more between $1 and $5. The crowd is mostly college students and blues fans, depending on the diverse crowds in Salt Lake. Any given weekend features a motley assortment of travelers, frat boys, drunken middle-age- d women reminding college-age- d men of various female erogenous zones, and tattooed pool sharks monopolizing the bar's only pool table. The decor is and three large neo-Weste- the last year, Burt's Lounge has become one of the "hipper" places to go, hang out and put down a few cold ones. Serving Pabst, That's probably the biggest the warmer months, the poolside patio serves the same purpose. Music is still BARS Over 1 nighttype of entertainment. They have a large screen TV. for Monday night football and other sports specials, but music and dancing are the focal points here. The music room is separate from the entry room, allowing one to "cool" off away from the bands and rn screen televisions provide con- tinuous visual stimulation. A limited menu, featuring widely renowned chili dogs, is available as well as an ample supply of peanuts. R.R. humidity. To get there you have to go . up an alley off West Temple and curve your way to a stair-- , case leading to a basement. Parking is not provided, so I |