Lake Effect

Lake Effect in downtown Salt Lake City is known as a cocktail bar with a large drink selection and live music, set in a historic building with a vintage yet modern vibe. While I’m not a drinker, we went based on a friend’s recommendation for the food...and it did not disappoint. I had the Crispy Shrimp Tacos, and the shrimp were perfectly cooked and full of flavor, the avocado sauce was amazing. My wife ordered the Chicken Chopped Salad and really enjoyed it as well. It was fresh, well-balanced, and satisfying. Even if cocktails aren’t your thing, Lake Effect is worth visiting for the food, atmosphere and overall experience. A great spot with more to offer than just drinks.

The food was phenomenal. The service was great. Nice, low key, quiet. You could actually talk with somebody and have a conversation without loud music. The hamburger I had was great and the wife loved the tacos that she got, especially the ice cream for dessert, was the best tasting ever. Now just don't grab underneath the tables. Cause you will get dried gum stuck to your finger. Hope whoever is seeing this will get the tables cleaned.

A great place for a holiday treat. Food was very good. The holiday drink options were GREAT!!!! Getting the food was a sloooow process as we were told they were shorthanded, took over an hour to get all of our food. The chicken wings and wood fired pizza were worth the wait. Our server was very nice. The atmosphere was really AWESOME.

Wonderful charming bar. Went at 11 PM on a Monday. Food is good, nothing spectacular. This is a bar afterall. Mixed drinks are great. Had live music and a great atmosphere. Enjoyed my time.

Great bar I would highly recommend! They play live music though so if the music doesn’t suit your taste you’re out of luck

We really enjoyed the bar and had great service. The food was good and the drinks were great. The atmosphere was good with great vibe. We will return if ever in Salt Lake City. My plan was to give 5 stars but upon review of my receipt, we had a 3% charge for live music. While we noticed someone setting up, there was no live music while we were there nor was it close to starting. For this we deducted one star. This is clearly a management/owner decision. Charging for services not provided is wrong.

Did someone say speakeasy? I am checking it out. This spot is dark shabby chic. The countertops are concrete. Whoever decorated this; I need you at my house. I started civilized with the charcuterie board. Then I dove right into the lobster and shrimp skewers. Then I got this huge bottomless salad of arugula, feta and grapes. Everything was so fresh and delicious. I was there on a Tuesday night and they had live music. Fantastic atmosphere and wonderful food items.

Recently stopped in with some business partners for drinks after dinner. The atmosphere was immediately impressive. Everything from the front door, to the bar, down to the bathrooms in the basement. Every little detail was thought out, and it makes for an incredible atmosphere. We only had drinks, but we were watching all the food come out around us and it all looked amazing. Everyone really seemed to be enjoying their food. The drinks were pretty good. I got a whiskey sour, and while it wasn't bad, it wasn't nearly as impressive as I've had at other bars. The live music was a nice touch and the girl singing the night we were in was very talented. Service was pretty good. Our waiter was generally great, but we had lots of little issues that added up. Drinks got forgotten and not topped off, just basic stuff. Overall, a good experience and I'm excited to come back to try the food.

Spent the most beautiful evening at Lake Effect in SLC. Not only is the bar itself beautifully curated and decorated to bring a feeling to class and high society, but the service was great. I got the Organic Half Chicken and found the plating to be so pleasing and inviting ! The meal itself was delicious while every flavor complimented each other. It was delicious and the plate was CLEARED. Live entertainment was on and off throughout the night. Though the talent was great to hear, I do wish that the speakers weren't AS loud, since we were sitting not so far from the stage. The sound system could have been better distributed since it felt extra noisy by the stage. I highly recommend Lake Effect to anyone coming to SLC who wants to feel extra classy for an evening. A night out that isn't too overwhelming but can feel like that perfect blend of a fulfilling social environment as well. The food and drinks are pricey but unique and worth every penny !

While on a trip late last year to Salt Lake City, I went to Lake Effect one frigid night along with my boss and a colleague. It's hard to find this place, the signage is small and easily missed for this bar/restaurant. We drove around 7 times before we found it. Still, it was worth the effort. The Ambience of the place is impressive. Just seeing the amount and selection of alcohol in the bar was incredible! Shame I was on the company dime, or I would have drunk a heck of a lot more here and tried out some amazing drinks... alas I just had some cider, albeit delicious cider. The food here is incredible too! The charcuterie board we had for an appetizer was scrumptious! The organic chicken with saffron rice for my main was absolutely delicious! We had amazing service! If I ever come back to Salt Lake City, I will be returning to Lake Effect!

Alrighty here's what you need to know about this place, it's entirely hit or miss. The issue is, on the nights where it is a hit, and it's busy, you've got to make sure you're there early enough to get any service! On the nights where it's slow the service is great but the vibes are so awkward. Good menu but crazy overpriced. Many of their cocktails were relatively simple and yet had a hefty price tag. Great spot if you're trying to show off on a weekday or to meet Post Malone on the weekends evidently. But actually getting a drink on a busy night? Good luck dude.

First off....five stars plus for the ambience. Please see attached photo of the Xmas decorations and the live music vibe is epic. Would return for that and the cocktails which were very good and unique. See photos for cocktails as well. Dual star beat down? Yes,,,the famed or what I heard were famed, Nachos. Ordered them (again see photo as they look like a power house in the photo) but low and behold, there was almost no meat or guac. Each of those misses resulted in the two star removal which are inexcusable errors in my pea brain. Sorry and hope this was a one off mistake...maybe ask to get a decent amount of meat and guac when this dish is ordered. One offset to this was the price as the dish is not too expensive so maybe that is a factor.

Rhetoric? That was the topic of conversation earlier in the day. Bourbons and whiskeys. What was our favorite? I wasn't sure I had a FAVORITE, so to speak. So many still to try. But I had mentioned I thought Rhetoric was a good one. We decided to journey out and see what we could find. Why not start with Contribution, the bar across the street from our hotel. And no further did we need to go. In addition to a phenomenal line of libations, there is great food. Definitely better than normal "bar" food.

Lake Effect is fun to go out and dance upstairs. The music they play is fun to dance to, and they have a good bar. The main problem is the level of crowding (get ready to be shoved) and the cover charge for no-name DJ's. They also upcharge significantly if you pay with credit card rather than cash. If you want to come for a meal and a drink, there is also good seating away from the dance floor that feels much more intimate. It's a pretty good spot for a date night or to go out with friends. Just watch out for long wait times to get in and bring plenty of cash for the cover.

Food was excellent! The atmosphere and ambience was next level! Try this place out! Our server was attentive and kind. Will be back!

Any well-seasoned Salt Laker knows about Lake Effect, but the real ones know and love their swanky basement bar which hosts the best live jazz nights in the city. Roll by on a Wednesday to catch The Flamingos, a local jazz band who provide the vibes for dancing, swaying, and drinking your night away! It's ideal for a first date, since the space is so lively and entertaining but still intimate enough to conversate. Service is timely and friendly, as this is more of an upscale bar with a literal BOOK full of crafted cocktail options, so there's truly something for everyone. They even offer crafted mocktails, such as a N/A Old Fashioned. I always enjoy how fresh the food is and love their Arugula and Red Grape Salad. Make sure to book ahead, since it fills up quick, especially on weekend evenings.

Impressive layout and overall venue. The Tin Can Barbacoa was quite conceivable the best tin can nachos I ever had! The service was quick and the experience was great. Although I only visited during lunch I did pass by during the evening and the atmosphere given live music appeared to be amazing and something I want to visit next time in town. A+

This place is a gem for anyone who loves live music with their meal! The music really enhances the whole dining experience, with jazz downstairs and EDM upstairs during the week across three levels - so cool! The food and cocktails are great, and the rustic interior adds a nice touch. Just a heads up, there's an additional service fee for the live music,. Parking can be tricky, so plan ahead. Friendly staff make the experience even better. Highly recommend for a fun night out!

Went here for the live jazz Wednesday nights and it was so fun! We got a fun corner circle booth and a perfect view of the stage. We were upstairs for 10 minutes at the bar but sat downstairs for the show. The whole place is very picturesque and the drinks are as well! For food we got a burger and some apps to share- it was phenomenal. Was expecting something mediocre but I would go back just for the food itself!

Updated June 2024** Came here after a concert because we wanted a late night bite and drink. The place was dead yet charged a cover ($15 with cash, $20 card). Music upstairs was live country while downstairs there was a DJ. The music wasn't bad but it was so empty and no one was dancing. We shared the nachos and fries and ordered a round of drinks. Prices are already high and you add a cover just to eat and 3% fee on top is ridiculous. Not even sure what the 3% was for but it felt like we been had. The drinks were good and unique but not worth it.

Amazing ambiance! This place is a great place, live music great atmosphere. The service was perfect we told them we were in a bit of a rush they quickly got us our drinks and food. In and out in 40 minutes that was impressive. Kind and friendly staff very knowledgeable. The tacos were good. Anywhere else very good. But, I'll finish with the best for last. Those Tin Can (wow) Nachos are out of this world. Anyone who has read my prior posts knows I'm a nachos and wings guy. These were hands down my 2nd favorite nachos in the world and yes I'm pretty well traveled many other countries. The menu here is comprehensive and should be considered a must visit if you visiting the area.

Came by for a drink before our other Rezzo! Live music was devine, drinks were tasty! A little pricey but well worth it for the drinks, vibe and ambiance... not to mention their insane BOOK of craft specialty cocktails! Definitely give it a whirl if you're in SLC! They also have a speakeasy downstairs open at certain hours that we are excited to check out tonight!

I came here on Wednesday night for their jazz night on a colleague's recommendation and thought the experience was so cool! If you want to experience some incredible live music in a more hidden speakeasy style bar, come to Lake Effect! I arrived around 8pm and went downstairs for their jazz night at the basement speakeasy. The bar had a whole slew of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and it felt like New Orleans came to Salt Lake City! I really appreciated the music, dancing, and the whole vibe at Lake Effect - it made me think of how cool the nightlife scene must be in SLC. It seemed like they do food as well downstairs, but I didn't get a chance to try any of the eats. Highly recommend checking this place out on Wednesdays for jazz night if you like live music!

Fun and delicious! We NEEDED a night out and really enjoyed the experience. Great server. Good music. Delicious cocktails

My wife and i came here for a double date snd enjoyed it. The ambiance is really nice! If you like taking pictures on nice seats , you'll find a few opportunities for that. The food was delicious!!! It came out all together , hot and fresh! I did order an appetizer and an entree and they both came out together. If want the appetizer first I'd recommend you to specify. We got the nachos, avocado tacos, fried pickles and a charcuterie board. We happen to be there while it shifted to a nightlife and it was fun. Live music, 2 floors of entertainment with outside hangout. The service here for dinner and nightlife was top line!

Paid a $20 cover. The staff said it was because there was a band. Then was charged a hidden fee on my bill. 3% live music fee. how is this legal? I am filing a complaint with the division of consumer protection. https://db.dcp.utah.gov/complaints.html if anyone else is interested in filing a complaint.

Lake Effects is located downtown Salt Lake City. It is a three level restaurant that serves American and Latin cuisines and they have an extended menu of drinks. As you walk into the restaurant, there is a huge beautiful wine case. They also have a well stocked bar. The restaurant gave me that vampire vibe with the low lighting and decor of the furniture. As soon as we were seated, are waitress came over and asked if we wanted anything to drink. My mother and I ordered the Charred Lamb Ribs, Tin Can Nachos with Steak, Bomba Rice and Cabrales Cheese Croquette, and Shrimp Skewers. I didn't taste the Shrimp Skewers or the Charred Lamb Ribs because I don't eat Shrimp and I don't like the taste of Lamb, but my mother said they were delicious. The Tin Can Nachos was definitely good. The Nachos were homemade, crunchy, and the Steak was very tender and flavorful. It's a definite must try plus the presentation is incredible. The waiter comes out and pulls the Nachos from the tin can. The Bomba Croquette was not my favorite. It had an acquired taste that I just couldn't get with. It was fried and cooked nicely but it's something I wouldn't order again. The customer service was good and are waitress was very helpful and very friendly.

My favorite thing about this place is the ambiance, and the cocktail menu. Their cocktails are to die for, and the menu is pretty extensive. The food was really good. I was with a group of five co-workers, and we ordered a swath of apps. Everything looked appealing, though I really only tried to house fries and the tin can nachos. It comes out exactly as it's named: the waiter brings over and tin can, turns it upside down over a plate, and starts shimmying the nachos out. Depending on how it's cooked, it may come out in a neat tin shaped nacho pile, or fall out in a clump - I've watched this happen both ways around the restaurant. Either way, it tastes great! Seriously, go for the cocktails, the ambiance and the decent food with friends. I always enjoy stopping by whenever I'm in SLC.

Walked in from out of town. The taps all have generic black handles and there is no menu. We asked the bartender with the long dreadlocks what was on tap and his answer was "all local" . We asked what kind of beer specifically since we are from out of town and was told " I'm not going to name 17 beers on tap babe. Tell me what style". This guy is completely rude and condescending. Left this place very soon after. Terrible customer service.

Visited this place on a girls trip to SLC. Super convenient from our hotel, this place looks like it is very popular across the board. During our visit we ended up sharing some items including a Charcuterie board, fried pickles and seasoned fries. Those were good and pretty much what you would expect. The more unique dishes we tried were the Tin can nachos with chipotle hibiscus, cheddar, black beans, pickled jalapeños, tomatoes, Salsa Verde, scallions, Guacamole & sour cream. Those were surprisingly good. I'm not a huge fan of some of those items but the pieces I didn't like, I was able to eat around and the chipotle hibiscus was surprisingly good. We also shared a blacked sea bass and scallops dish in a lemon caper wine sauce served with Smashed Garlic Potatoes and Carrots & Cauliflower It was ok.

The atmosphere is great, it has a fun vibe. We would definitely go again. The shrimp and grits had a GREAT flavor. However the servings were a bit small and the grits were pretty runny. But, the flavor was amazing.

Quiet. Sweet employees, very clean and overall very delicious drinks and food. Def worth the price and time. I'd recommend, i was recommended here by one of the RHSLC girls and i came and wasn't disappointed. Our server was sweet and the food was just perfection. Way too many nachos than we could eat haha but great idea and great taste.

Came here with coworkers. Food was soggy (I got the braised beef tacos) and we were sat underneath a blaring speaker at the back which we asked to move but moved to a spot just as loud. We were yelling to try to talk and it was very difficult to hear. The service was great and margarita was decent (although having some flavored margs could be a cool idea) despite the other hiccups. I can't say I would go back.

This is one of 2 places in Utah where I slightly enjoyed the food. The vibes are great. Big giant comfy seats. & the bar is so cool to just even look at. Interior design is on point.

Going on a live music night is awesome. I came here after a concert and the live music at Lake Effect was straight up better than the band I paid to see. So much great energy. And the food is incredible, too. The lake effect burger changed the way I make burgers at home, now. Exceptional. Also expensive.

The vibe is great! But, my ONE mixed drink was $36 and their electronic tips started at 22%. My buddy had nachos and they looked amazing.

My friend and I came in and the main floor was packed! But we went upstairs and it was mostly empty which was great for us! They had great DJ, the bartenders were always attentive even when the upstairs got packed. When the upstairs was full, we head downstairs, which had chilled out and were able to get a table. Which was great!! Overall I would say the bartenders are very attentive and great the drinks were always delicious and this experience was really good.

I only had a cosmopolitan at Lake Effect, and it was okay. It was not very flavorful or strong. The vibes and ambiance was cute though! They had a guitarist play live music the entire night. The songs she covered were modern and popular songs which was really nice! The waitress was nice; however, I had to ask for my check several times even though it wasn't that busy. I would definitely visit again for another experience.

love the spectrum of ambiance // multi-floor thing. speakeasy on 1st, foods on 2nd and dance on 3rd. probably the most fun night out dancing i've had in years. props to the dj and also props to good human who turned in my wallet. lol

Lunch at Lake Effect was an incredible experience I've been anticipating for years. Today, I finally indulged and was blown away. The menu boasted enticing options, but I settled on the crab and prawn salad along with lamb ribs. The crab salad was a masterpiece, abundant in lump crab meat and claw meat--my personal favorite--with a generous serving of shrimp, brunoise cucumbers adding a refreshing touch, complemented by chickpeas and balsamic vinaigrette (I opted for it over avocado dressing). Four romaine leaves served as perfect vessels for this delightful creation. As for the lamb ribs, they were simply outstanding. Tender, not gamey in the slightest, with a glaze so exquisite it could elevate any dish. While slightly tougher in texture, the flavor compensated remarkably. Overall, a dining experience that exceeded expectations.

Just a great place for a night out with friends. We were able to hang in one of the speak-easy booths, and really enjoyed the experience with Dewar taking care of us. He made our group feel at home, and seriously recommended the best plates, drinks (including a nice variety of non-alcoholic drinks on an extensive menu), and desserts. We'll definitely be back. PS. Try the tin can nachos.

If you're in SLC, this is a spot to grab drinks and dinner at! Amazing service, ambiance and live music! It will not disappoint!

My first time having lunch at Lake Effect, and everything was perfect. The service was quick and the server/bartender genuinely friendly. My crab and prawn salad delivered quickly and was delicious. And the tunes playing quietly in the background were also delicious. I want to subscribe to the Lake Effect Spotify channel. Really good food: check. Quick and friendly service: check. Relaxed atmosphere: check. In and out in 40 minutes for $21 plus tip: check. Good tunes: check.

Great food and service. I showed up without a reservation and plenty of room to eat at the bar. Had live music which was also nice on a Tuesday night!

In town for a concert and stopped in for lunch. Service was great, bartenders were very attentive. Tin can nachos were delicious! Drinks were tasty as well. Loved the band too! Great all around!

Good food, good service, cool vibe. The nachos and margs were great although they could use a few more lights as it's pretty dark inside.

Definitely worth a stop. The ambiance is well worth the visit. The basement area is posh and comfortable. The drinks- all of the drinks are great. Our party had the Malibu Barbie, Come-on Barbie, Peaches for me and Nutz for Rosie. The appetizers of nachos with chicken were out of this world. Very good starter, but is a large portion for four people. The salmon with vegetables was absolutely delicious, the roasted half chicken with rice was great, the crispy shrimp tacos (has sesame seeds and taco shell was deep fried. The Brussels sprouts ceased with grilled chicken was delicious and a decent portion for a salad. Price is reasonable and service (Anita) was very nice and attentive. She was bubbly and gave great advice on drinks.

Ambiance and breadth of craft cocktail menu is unmatched. I was in SLC for a conference and Lake Effect became our go-to almost every night. The menu is so large we could never have the same thing twice.

Loved this environment! Amazing cocktails and the best nachos and charcuterie board! Live music upstairs and a chill vibe downstairs.

We were brought down to the speakeasy on a Saturday night and it was so cool! It was a little dark and we def used our phone flashlight to see menu, but the vibes were really different and much quieter downstairs. We started with the tin can nachos and beef skewers. We were disappointed by the nachos. We expected there to be neat and cheese and sauce in majority of the chips when it came out the can, but that wasn't the case. We wouldn't order them again for that reason. It was mostly chips with some meat on the top unfortunately. We also got the Brussels and kale salad but didn't love it. I probably wouldn't get it again and I think it was the dressing that threw me off on it. It just didn't taste that good. The 3 of us each got the tacos. One had barbacoa, one had pastrami and one had fish tacos and we each had one taco of each type and shared. We would def go back for those tacos and to try the other food items. Plus, their drinks were all delicious. These drinks were some of the best we have had in SLC. We would recommend checking this place out next time you are down in SLC especially if you are craving some good tacos and cocktails!

Excellent bar service and a phenomenal drink selection. It's cozy inside and a pleasing environment. The top shelf is impressive. Truly enjoyable experience.

I decided to come here for a late night snack. They have a decently sized menu for later hours and a ton of cocktails if you're coming for the bar. There was live music when we arrived on a Tuesday, which was so fun! The tin can nachos were HUGE and hit the spot. I wouldn't get the chicken again as it was pretty dry. The steak tacos were juicy and delicious. I would probably get steak on the nachos next time. Peaches for me: 3/5 peachy flavor, but with a strong tequila taste GodJam: 5/5 light refreshing peachy fruity, almost tastes like juice

My girlfriend recommended that go here. Great food, good music, and friendly staff. I recommend going there any time of the day. This is where the cool kids hang out and it's not hard to see why. Oh by the way it's a legit cocktail bar. Can't miss! I tried the shrimp tacos, Caesar salad w/ chicken, and lamb ribs. All options were great!

Great menu. Egotistical bar tender. Amazing drink menu, wonderfully creative and masterfully concocted. Bartender was busy. He asked what drink I wanted. I ordered a cocktail and he said 20 minutes. I took the hint and our group left. He also told one of my party that they fucked up ordering the wrong whiskey.

We made reservations for a large group on Friday at 5:15 pm. You definitely need reservations if you are coming here with a large group. There are 3 different floors to this restaurant, the first floor is super dark and more of a romantic vibe. It was kind of hard to see the menu but we made do with our phones. The 2nd ( main floor ) has a lot more lighting and live music on the weekends. The 3rd floor has a DJ and opens around 9pm, its $5 if your already inside, and I believe $15 for cover if you are just walking in after 9pm. We ordered a few dishes to share, the tin can nachos, wagyu skewers, broccolini, ceviche, and the chile rellenos. We also ordered a few rounds of drinks, the crepe cake, and the thai tea creme brulee. The tin can nachos, chile rellenos, and broccolini were delish. Skip the wagyu, it is dry and not that good. They have a huge cocktail menu !! I just stuck with the espresso martini. The crepe cake was also super good!!! Service was great !!! Great place for drinks or to get some food before headed out somewhere else downtown.

Fun place, good food. Love the nachos, the drinks are delicious they do have 3 levels, the top floor is a dance floor, the main floor is the event room where musicians play, and downstairs is more of a lounge.

Ok, to be fair, Ill start with the good. The place is beautiful and on Wednesday nights down stairs opens to live music, which is cool! The ugly, and lots of what I experience in SLC, the service! Ugh, first you are greeted like your there to rob the place, second no hostess to speak of, and your left wondering what now? Third, the employees are so bad, so bad! Gossiping all the time, so loud and inappropriate! Also, sitting at the bar is like WTF you want kinda feeling! Literally this is "an exercise on patience". To add, they take your card before asking if you want anything. It makes you feel like "give all your money!" First then will tell you if you're worthy of our service. All in all. The place again is really nice, but the employees just kill the vibe!