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Main Floor Bar - Lake Effect, Salt Lake City, UT

Lake Effect

4.8 (781)
$30 and under
Cocktail Bar
155 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Make a reservation

A photo of Lake Effect restaurant

Lake Effect

4.8
$30 and under
Cocktail Bar
Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 20 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Great for creative cocktails
Lake Effect is Salt Lake City’s destination for cocktails, cuisine, and live music—all under one roof. Our bar program spans an extensive, ever-evolving menu, from seasonal house creations to modern classics, while the kitchen serves Latin-inspired dishes designed to complement the glass in your hand. Our Tin Can Nachos have earned a reputation of their own, but the menu ranges from shareable tapas to refined entrées that make dining here as memorable as drinking.
With three floors, each space carries its own character. Our main floor is open daily from 11am–1am, we serve brunch from 11am–4pm and dinner from 5pm–10pm. Every evening, live music fills the room—whether it’s jazz downstairs in the Rabbit Hole on Wednesday nights, acoustic sets on the main floor, or DJs upstairs in Church on the weekends. There's something for everyone here at Lake Effect.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Cocktail Bar, Latin American, American
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 11:00 am–1:00 am
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Sergio Flores
  • Private party facilities
    To find out more about booking your private event at Lake Effect, visit:https://www.lakeeffectslc.com/private-eventsEmail: events@lakeeffectslc.com
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Cross street
    200 S 200 W
  • Parking details
    There is metered street parking and several garages and paid parking lots near by.
  • Public transit
    You can exit Trax at the Gallivan Plaza stop and take a short walk to Lake Effect
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

What 781 people are saying

Lake Effect reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Salt Lake City

    Good for special occasions

  • Salt Lake City

    Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Lake Effect boasts a vibrant ambiance with "amazing cocktails" and "delicious food." Guests rave about the "great vibes" and live music, making it a "must visit" in Salt Lake City. Service is generally "excellent," with standout bartenders and waitstaff. It offers a unique dining experience, perfect for tapas and drinks.
781 Reviews
  1. Karla Gold

    Washington DC9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 23, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was a cool little place and very nice. The live band was very good as well. The food and drinks were absolutely delicious. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Jeff Gold

    Salt Lake City13 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on June 21, 2026

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    Don’t go… lousy service, food and music way too loud for Sunday brunch. Had to go sit outside.

    Is this helpful?

  3. CAROLINA

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 19, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Tarinh was a great bartender. She had a wonderful personality and it was nice chatting with her. She Made me feel welcome.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Verity

    Greater Boston4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 17, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our team loved the tacos, cocktails and brownies at Lake Effect. A special outing for all!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Mehmet Gold

    Philadelphia1 review

    3.0

    Dined on June 3, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Ambiance was nice and food eaa decent but the old fashioned I got was miniscule - The ice was sticking way out of the drink. Not good value for the price.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Robert Gold

    Salt Lake City28 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 29, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place to hang out. Very cool room. Excellent service. Very good food.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Cynthia

    Miami3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I was visiting from out of town. The brunch was amazing. Our waiter Jasper was friendly and welcoming. I had the shrimp and grits which was delicious and we also had the three egg breakfast. The hashbrowns are delicious not traditional hashbrowns like what I typically have but so good the drinks were amazing. I will be visiting Lake affect any and every time I’m in Salt Lake City.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Dru Gold

    Washington DC15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 30, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great vibes, ambience, food, and drink! A must visit when in SLC!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Shannon

    Denver1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 26, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food ! Ambience is awesome ! Band was playing , drinks were great !

    Is this helpful?

  10. Trina Gold

    Salt Lake City7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 25, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love the drinks, the ambiance,”, the music and the food! Shared steak tin can nachos with my daughter still only ate about one third. :)

    Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Cocktail Bar, Latin American, American
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 11:00 am–1:00 am
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Sergio Flores
  • Private party facilities
    To find out more about booking your private event at Lake Effect, visit:https://www.lakeeffectslc.com/private-eventsEmail: events@lakeeffectslc.com
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Cross street
    200 S 200 W
  • Parking details
    There is metered street parking and several garages and paid parking lots near by.
  • Public transit
    You can exit Trax at the Gallivan Plaza stop and take a short walk to Lake Effect
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Portions lean toward shareable tapas and bar-friendly plates, expect a mix of small plates and hearty sharable items. The Tin Can Nachos are frequently called very large and easily shared; many guests treat the menu as tapas-style and plan to order a few dishes to share rather than one big entrée. A few guests did note some items feel more appetizer-sized, so come ready to share or order a couple items per person.

Yes, Lake Effect is a popular date-night spot thanks to its chic decor, crafted cocktails, and nightly live music. Many guests recommend cozy booths, intimate downstairs seating in the Rabbit Hole, or a main-floor table for an upbeat but stylish evening. Be aware that music can get loud on live-music nights, so request a quieter table or an earlier seating if you want to talk. Reservations are a good idea for weekend dates.

Lake Effect welcomes families and groups, guests often bring teens and celebrate birthdays here, and there are cozy booths and varied seating across three floors. However, specific accessibility details (ramps, elevator, ADA seating) aren’t listed, so if you need wheelchair access or other accommodations call ahead. For families, consider an earlier seating or requesting a booth for a more relaxed experience.

It depends on the vibe you want: go earlier in the week or for Sunday brunch if you prefer a more relaxed, quieter experience. If you want live music and a lively scene, evenings, especially weekends, are best. For jazz nights head downstairs midweek, and for DJs and dancing try weekend nights. Arrive early or reserve if you prefer a quieter table, since the place fills up on popular nights.

Yes, Lake Effect allows private parties and can accommodate group bookings. Guests have reported arranging larger parties and celebrations there; contact the restaurant directly to discuss private-dining options, capacities, and any event fees or minimums.

Busiest: weekend evenings and nights with live bands or DJs, expect a lively, packed scene. Quietest: weekday afternoons and Sunday brunch/dinner tend to be calmer and better for conversation. If you want music with lower volume, choose an early dinner or a Sunday night; for dancing and a party vibe, pick weekend nights.

The ambience is stylish, energetic, and music-forward, think posh, speakeasy-inspired decor with a lively soundtrack. Guests frequently praise the gorgeous design, nightly live music, and upscale yet relaxed vibe. It’s great for dates, nights out with friends, or small celebrations; note that music volume can be high on busy nights, which some guests loved and others found too loud for conversation.

Yes, Lake Effect lists daily hours (11:00 am–1:00 am), and guests have visited for holiday occasions like Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, suggesting they operate on public holidays. If you have a specific holiday plan, call ahead or check the reservation platform to confirm hours or special programming.

It depends on your priorities: go Sunday for relaxed brunch and a quieter dinner; midweek (like Wednesday) for jazz in the Rabbit Hole; and Friday/Saturday if you want DJs, dancing, and the most energetic nightlife. Reservations are recommended for popular nights.

The stated dress code is business casual. Guests commonly describe the place as posh and well-dressed, so business casual or smart-casual attire fits the vibe, no need for formal wear, but many people dress nicely for the night out.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Salt Lake City
  4. Salt Lake City
  5. Downtown

Make a reservation

A photo of Lake Effect restaurant

Lake Effect

4.8
$30 and under
Cocktail Bar
Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 20 times today
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