Dining and Nightlife
Photography: Cha Cha Weller
Park City’s dining options continue to grow, and include all nuances of French, Mexican and Swiss fare, as well as Italian, American, Vietnamese and Western cuisine. Family-friendly barbecue joints and fine dining Asian fusion are two of the options you have on any given evening, but so are burger joints, diners, steakhouses and fresh seafood places.
New developments have learned the importance of anchoring shopping centers with restaurants, and reputable names have ventured outside city limits in greater numbers recently, adding to the number of restaurants outside of town that have become destinations in their own right.
Among all of that variety is a high level of quality as well. Park City chefs have garnered almost as many awards as Park City racks up inches of winter snow. From AAA Diamonds to Mobile stars, DiRoNA, Wine Spectator and Conde Nast awards, area chefs have been recognized worldwide.
Several dozen private clubs are just as passionate about their food menus as their drink selections. Buffalo burger, sushi and vegetarian offerings are just some of the dishes that can accompany adult beverages. Private clubs, or bars, have slightly different rules, and are for adults over 21 only. Patrons must be members or guests of a member to enter a private club. (Anyone can purchase a ‘temporary’ membership during their stay in Park City).
Private clubs are also the heartbeat of Park City’s nightlife. Summertime is a chance to see some of the year-round locals out of hibernation and an opportunity to catch live music. The concentration of private clubs on Main Street makes it easy to go bar hopping, but Kimball Junction also caters to the dancing and concert crowds.
If you’re planning on staying home, grocery and convenience stores sell 3.2 percent beer, but the town’s three main liquor stores stock everything else— from spirits and wines to “heavy” (higher alcoholic content) beers. The Prospector Square location at 1901 Sidewinder Drive, is still the largest store and offers one of the best wine selections in the state. The Main Street store and the Kimball Junction location (1612 Ute Boulevard), have an abbreviated but satisfying assortment. Many area lodging properties also carry a small selection of alcoholic beverages for their members and guests.
Several restaurants and businesses cater to eating at home without having to prepare everything from scratch —from in-store delis to take-out cafés. They’re the perfect in-between to cooking and going out.
Don’t look past some of the smaller eateries just because they don’t have tables with white cloths. Some of the best places to find everything from sandwiches to jerky are tucked away.
Jonesing for a cup of joe? Coffee shops and espresso bars throughout the county can help wake you up in the morning, mid-afternoon or evening, whenever you feel at your sleepiest. Stand-alone shops sell coffee brands originating from Hawaii to Seattle to Vermont and many gift shops have included espresso service in their spaces as well. Whether you need a latté before heading down the grocery aisle or browsing the Internet, there is likely to be a barista at your service.
Your comments may be edited for brevity and foul language.