Salt Lake City info

[Prime Muscle]

I'll be headed to Salt Lake City next month and since I'm not real familiar with the city - had a few questions for those that either live there or know the city. I'll be staying downtown -- do I need a car or can I just cab it? Also, what are the good gyms in the downtown area. Finally, hot spots?

Thanks.

[OneFinger]

I live in Utah and hope you enjoy yourself while you're here. I think it's a great place to visit (once you figure out some of the odd customs).

 

Are you still recovering from the broken leg or will you be available for clients?

 

First, let me explain about how things are laid out in SLC. Most of the streets have directional names which indicates their relationship to the Mormon temple. For example, the address for The Trapp (a gay bar) is: 102 South 600 West. That means it is 1.02 blocks South of the temple and 6.00 blocks West. The address for Club Axis is: 108 South 500 West (1.08 blocks South and 5.00 blocks West).

 

The higher the street number the further away it is from downtown.

 

Renting a car is not a necessity IF you're planning to spend your time exclusively in the downtown area. There is a light rail system that runs from downtown to approximately 10600 South (106.00 blocks South of the temple). It also goes East to the University of Utah and some of the major hospitals. There is also a good bus system that supplements the light rail.

 

Cabs are plentiful but also fairly expensive.

 

If you're planning to do sight seeing or going to Park City (a great place to visit), you'll definitely need a car. Just be aware that Utah is full of rude and aggressive drivers. Be prepared to drive defensively.

 

I'm definitely not a gym rat so I can't give you any info. But here's a link to health clubs. Note that it shows "distance". Again, this is in relationship to how close they are to the temple.

 

http://www.healthclubdirectory.com/health_club/clubResults/UT/Utah/Salt%20Lake%20City/

 

I'm also not much into the bar scene so you're on your own. There is a monthly magazine called "The Pillar". It has lots of great info. Unfortunately their website hasn't been operational for several weeks but free copies are available at most bars.

 

Be aware that Utah has "funny" liquor laws. Bars do NOT serve mixed drinks and only offer 3.2 beer. Mixed drinks are available at private clubs and some eating places. Yearly memberships for private clubs are about $25 PER CLUB but visitor memberships (for 2 weeks) are available for about $10-15.

 

If you're into casinos the closest are located in Wendover, NV. Several bus companies have day trips there. It's approximately a 2 hour drive (one way) and includes 4-6 hours of gambling time. I believe the cost is about $15. It will give you a chance to see the Great Salt Lake and the salt flats.

 

E-mail me if you have more specific questions concerning places to eat, things to see, etc.

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

Performance Advantage Gym

 

There is a Gold's in one of the suburbs, but if you are hoping not to rent a car (or decide not to), you might try Performance Advantage. A friend was just in SLC for a ski trip a few months ago that I passed on and highly praised this place:

 

1750 South 500 W Number 400

(801) 972-3165

[Michael]

> Just be aware that Utah is full of rude and aggressive drivers.

> Be prepared to drive defensively.

 

I think that this statement needs to be put into context.

 

I suppose that, by Utah standards, many of the drivers could be considered to be rude and aggressive, but if you have ever driven in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, London or almost any other big city, you will be amazed just how polite they all are.

 

> Be aware that Utah has "funny" liquor laws. Bars do NOT serve

> mixed drinks and only offer 3.2 beer. Mixed drinks are

> available at private clubs and some eating places.

 

You should also be aware of the "only one drink at a time" rule.

In other words don't expect to be able to order another drink until you have either completely finished the current one or it has been cleared away ...

[OneFinger]

>...You should also be aware of the "only one drink at a time" rule. In other words don't expect to be able to order another drink until you have either completely finished the current one or it has been cleared away ...

 

Oops, forgot to mention that one. And, if you order another round before you're finished with the first round, they will immediately REMOVE the half-consumed drinks.

 

The only exception to the "one drink" rule is red wine. Someone told the non-drinking liquor control commission that red wine has to breathe so they will allow that on the table in addition to a mixed drink.

 

Also forgot to mention that some gay clubs are only gay certain nights of the week. Be sure to check at the door before buying a temporary membership -- you could be surprised. :7

[VaHawk]

"The only exception to the "one drink" rule is red wine. Someone told the non-drinking liquor control commission that red wine has to breathe so they will allow that on the table in addition to a mixed drink."

 

And yet all the literature/teachings EMPHASIZE that NOTHING has a quicker intoxication rate than wine!

[Prime Muscle]

Thanks for all the tips. Not sure what I'll do in SLC but I probally can find something.