Picking the Perfect Night

There are seven days in a week, and five of them are fairly grueling. So what do you do if you get the urge to go out on one of those five days? What should happen if on a Tuesday night the urge to sing comes upon you? Or if it’s Thursday and you don’t have work, school or any pressing plans for Friday?

Well, there are a few establishments that have opened their doors to our community and are welcoming us to their party all week long.

If you work 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, you might think that going out on a “school night” is not in the cards. But this couldn’t be farther from the truth. As a matter of fact, the urge for a vodka soda lime tied and a social outing can hit on any day of the week. Usually for me it seems to hit on a Thursday — and I am not alone. Bars and clubs are recognizing this need to start the weekend early and are holding events to draw us in. This differs greatly from times past when gay establishments would actually hold a “Straight Night” to draw in the straight crowd looking for a night out.

The most obvious example of the opposite trend currently is Püre Salt Lake and its dominant hold over Friday nights. Püre, however, is not a club or a bar — it’s an event held weekly at the Rail Event Center. This trend of a “Gay Night” is becoming more common than in previous years, and is an indication of a growing acceptance of our community within the Salt Lake Valley. Even our gay bars are having specific gay nights such as JAM’s “JAM U Gay College Night.” I like this trend and I like participating in it.

But I digress. Let’s get back to venturing out during the week. A specific new night that comes to mind is at the Circle Lounge. This particular bar is attached to a great little sushi restaurant and an amazing patio area and is becoming the “place to be” for Thursday nights. The environment is inviting and comfortable with a hint of sophistication and a dash of hipster chic.

Another  Sunday night party is held at Karamba, located in the heart of Sugarhouse. From the rhythmic beats of the music to sensual style of the cultural dancing, it is an environment worth venturing to if you’re not ready to end your weekend just yet. On the other side of town, there’s The Tavernacle, which also holds a great end of the weekend party. This comfortable bar on Broadway’s east side has dueling pianos on some nights. Here you might see a slew of attendees (including Michael Aaron himself) enjoying performances of beautiful, lyrical art most commonly known as karaoke — I hope you noted the sarcasm there.

Fortunately, we do not lack in nightlife options. We have our known places to venture where things are kept edgy and entertaining, and now our options are expanding. Who knows? Maybe one day nightlife will even reach Provo. But regardless of your “scene” places are coming out of the woodworks to capture our community’s interest, and I honestly think it is a good thing. If it takes the almighty dollar to open opportunities otherwise not acceptingly open, I say I’ll have two shots of Patron and a Jägerbomb for my friend, and I’ll see you next week!