Park City Nightlife Guide: Best Bars, Liquor Laws and Local Utah Tips

Home to three world-class ski resorts and the Sundance Film Festival, Park City, Utah boasts a thriving nightlife scene despite the state's confusing liquor laws. Armed with a basic understanding of club rules and a local's insight into the diverse club scene, visitors can navigate Park City with ease, finding just what they seek to enjoy a carefree night on the town.

Getting Into Bars

As in any part of the county, Park City clubs require a valid ID for anyone appearing under the age of 35. Utah's quirky "private club" law, which mandated at least a temporary membership fee to enter bars, has long intimidated out-of-state visitors, but lawmakers reneged the archaic rule in March, to take effect July 1, 2009. Most Park City bars nix door fees unless hosting a big-name band, special event or fund-raiser.

Getting a Drink

The biggest difference between drinking in Utah and other states is in the beer. Most beer served, including brews on tap, contain just 3.2 percent alcohol by volume, about half the typical 7 percent found outside Utah. "Heavy beer" (available in some brands by bottle), wine, shots and mixed drinks are fair game as long as the total alcohol by volume does not exceed 2.75 ounces, according to Utah's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Bars may serve alcohol until 1 a.m. and remain open until 2 a.m.

Getting Home

Park City police heavily patrol Main Street and surrounding areas as bars close for the night, but lax overnight parking laws and abundant transportation options eliminate the need to ever drive drunk. The free city bus system runs a limited route until 2 a.m. during the ski season, and taxis typically line the street all night. Fares rarely exceed $10 for destinations in town or $20 for outlying areas. Free overnight parking is also available at any covered space in the China Bridge parking structure on Swede Alley, one street parallel to Main, and cars may remain until noon the next day.

Where to Go

• The Sidecar (333 Main Street): A favorite among 25 to 40-somethings, the Sidecar attracts big crowds with its spacious bar, shuffleboard table, outdoor balcony and sizable dance floor. The bar's legendary Fat Kid pizza brings in a particularly heavy last-call crowd.

• Downstairs (627 Main Street): Park City's first celeb-run hot spot, partially owned by Danny Masterson from "That '70s Show," has quickly become a favorite among locals for its red carpet crowd and wildly creative theme parties, including regular costume bashes with pro big-mountain skier Julian Carr. Original cocktail recipes by mixologist/manager Layne Edwards also bring in locals.

• The Spur (352 Main Street): Known in town as "The Cougar Den," The Spur does attract its share of conspicuously ageless women, but the bar's shamelessly Western attitude and purposefully danceable music lineup make it a favorite for folks of any age looking to slam a beer and hit the dance floor. The Spur also serves food from the adjacent 350 Main restaurant until midnight.

• The Star Bar (268 Main Street): A hidden gem for reggae and dance music, the Star Bar draws inconsistent crowds but has started to gain popularity for its talented artists and cheap drinks. The reggae-themed Wednesdays have featured Don Carlos, Sister Carol and the Melodians, while Thursdays spotlight national house phenom, DJ Dav.

• Harry O's (427 Main Street): The self-proclaimed "World Famous" nightclub boasts the biggest stage in town, and in turn, the biggest acts, including Akon, Matisyahu, Armin Van Buuren and Kim Kardashian. The closest venue to an urban club Park City has, Harry O's is the only place to mandate a dress code at certain events.

• O'Shucks (427 Main Street): Sharing a building with Harry O's, Shucks is the urban club's antithesis, filling the role of Park City's quintessential dive bar. Sporting pool tables, arcade games and huge, bowl-like troughs of beer called "scooners," O'Shucks is a favorite among young industry workers.

• Cisero's (306 Main Street): Home to some of Park City's most popular DJs, the biggest crowds flock to Cisero's on Saturdays for one of Utah's biggest female spinners, DJ Chassis, and Wednesdays for locals' night with DJ Q-Tip. Attached to a restaurant of the same name, Cisero's serves food until midnight in the nightclub.