Salt Lake serves as a bastion of progressiveness, playfulness, and pride. In fact, the city's been listed by Advocate magazine as one of the Ten Queerest Cities in America! The city holds one of the biggest and best-attended Pride parades and festivals around, with Pride Week festivities attracting tens of thousands of participants who light up the downtown scene in full rainbow-hued regalia. Of course, it doesn't have to be parade week to celebrate pride and inclusivity as our gay bars do that year round.

So, check out a few of our favorite gay bars and gay-friendly bars— because, in this town, it needn't be a "gay bar" for everyone to fit right in.

LGBTQ Couples Dancing

Located on 600 West just off 100 South, the Sun Trapp greets everyone with a warm welcome and is famous for serving beer in mason jars. Don't be fooled by its rustic exterior-the Trapp often draws a line of patrons that snakes around the corner on the weekends. Their outdoor patio is as big as the interior, offering plenty of open-air seating, and in the winter, the patio has a heated tent with its own bar inside.

Insider tip: If you love inexpensive drinks and dancing to club remixes of Whitney Houston and Ariana Grande, you'll probably find yourself becoming a regular. And definitely go often because Sun Trapp typically offers entry with no cover charge, although you might expect to wait a few minutes for bar service on weekends.

Club Try-Angles

At Try-Angles, expect friendly and easygoing bartenders and customers, making it the perfect place for newcomers to the Salt Lake scene or anyone exploring the place solo. And if you're merrymaking on a tight budget, Try-Angles has your back with $5 beer steins. Check out one of their colorful cocktails like the Va-jay or Purple Kool-Aid while you're at it. Try-Angles also offers inexpensive pool, darts, and karaoke and is known by some as the "gay dive" of Salt Lake, which only adds to its charm.

Insider Tip: The bar is normally known for a chill vibe—except during their theme events like Underwear Night or Leather Night, when you can expect an epic all-night party and a more rambunctious crowd.

Revolution Fridays at The Moose Lounge

The Moose Lounge in the heart of downtown has become a Salt Lake favorite for those who love DJs and a dance club atmosphere. On Friday nights, The Moose Lounge turns into a sequin-studded party full of go-go dancers and drag queens, designed to bring together the LGBTQ community with their local allies. Revolution Friday is a great introduction for someone just getting into the Salt Lake gay club scene, and features a different theme for each event. The staff is accommodating, making sure all patrons feel safe and comfortable.

Insider Tip: Arrive before 11 pm for free entry, or reserve a spot in the VIP section and dance 'till tonight turns into tomorrow.

Bartender-at-the-Twilite-Lounge

Among the "not technically gay bars but hella gay-friendly" establishments, the Metro Music Hall, Twilite Lounge, Bar X, and Twist are all popular within the community. Metro Music Hall hosts frequent drag shows and queer events featuring performers from near and far. Twilite Lounge is a total throwback experience where walking in feels like stepping back several decades in time, but its atmosphere is as welcoming as it is diverse. And Bar X has a sultry, speakeasy vibe with must-try cocktails. The ambience is cool yet intimate-no matter who you prefer to cozy up with at a corner table.

The gay-club scene in Salt Lake is evolving in a positive way (like many sub cultures in Salt Lake, recently), and we’re seeing a general acceptance and openness in all locations (nightlife and otherwise). All this has led to a much more interesting and diverse nightlife scene in Salt Lake.