The Best Speakeasy Bars Salt Lake City: How Back Door SLC Created Edison Street's Most Welcoming Cocktail Lounge

There's something about finding a bar tucked down an alley that makes you feel like you're in on a secret. When you step through the entrance of Back Door SLC, hidden on Edison Street in downtown Salt Lake City, that's exactly the sensation that washes over you—except this speakeasy doesn't want to keep secrets. It wants to be your perfect place.

"We had a vision for the perfect place," explains the team behind Back Door, which opened in September 2022 as an extension of the beloved Laziz Kitchen. "A speakeasy-style lounge where you can hear each other, eat a delicious meal, drinkers can get craft cocktails, non-drinkers can have a magical mocktail and you can stay awhile." One customer put it simply: "A funky little bar tucked away on Edison St. with a relaxed, cozy, intimate atmosphere. A great place to chill with some friends or someone special."

That's the thing about the best speakeasy bars in Salt Lake City—the good ones aren't trying to be exclusive or pretentious. They're trying to be inclusive. And Back Door absolutely nails it.

From Marriage Equality to Mediterranean Cocktails: The Story Behind Back Door SLC

To understand Back Door, you need to know about Laziz Kitchen. And to understand Laziz Kitchen, you need to know about Derek Kitchen and Moudi Sbeity—two people who literally changed Utah history.

Kitchen and Sbeity met in 2009 and were among three couples who successfully sued in 2013 to legalize gay marriage in Utah in the landmark Kitchen v. Herbert case that garnered national attention. But while they were fighting for marriage equality, they were also building something else: a food business that started with homemade hummus sold to friends from their first apartment together.

They began selling at the downtown farmers market in 2012, founding Laziz Foods—"laziz" being an Arabic word meaning tasty, enjoyable, and lighthearted. In 2016, they opened Laziz Kitchen, a Lebanese restaurant downtown, which has a partnership with the International Rescue Committee to hire refugees and New Americans from Iraq and Syria. Guy Fieri featured the restaurant on Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives, calling it a "pop and pop shop."

By 2022, Laziz had expanded with new partners—the Netto and Hannon families joining the ownership team. Blake Hannon, co-owner of Back Door, explained their vision: "As we designed the bar, our intention was to create a space that we would go to. A space where eating, drinking, and staying just a little too long is the norm."

"We are excited to introduce our new concept to Edison street," Hannon said at the opening. "As a street with rich history, our lounge/speakeasy atmosphere is the perfect place to connect with others in a comfortable and relaxing setting."

The Back Door Experience: Craft Cocktails That Actually Taste Like Something

Walk through the door at 152 E 200 South and you'll find yourself in what customers keep describing with the same words: cozy, intimate, comfortable. The lighting is low without being cave-dark. The seating is plush. And most importantly? You can actually hear each other talk.

The cocktail menu at this Edison Street bar features signature drinks made with local spirits, and from what customers say, the bartenders know what they're doing. One reviewer raved: "I had the 'habibi' and the 'ex boyfriend' and then brother Cody made me an espresso martini." The espresso martini, in particular, seems to be a crowd favorite—which makes sense for a cocktail bar that takes craft seriously without taking itself too seriously.

One customer described their experience with the bartender and manager: "Justin, the bartender, made absolutely fantastic drinks, was super personable, and one of the best people I've ever met when it comes to taking care of customers. Mac, the manager, was her own kind of special. I so enjoyed talking to her while just hanging out at Back Door. She was so sweet! You could tell she genuinely cared about her staff and her customers."

This is where Back Door differentiates itself from other speakeasy bars in Salt Lake City. It's not trying to be mysterious or hard to find for the sake of being difficult. The "speakeasy vibe" here is about intimacy and warmth, not exclusivity.

And here's where it gets even better: you can order food from the attached Laziz Kitchen. The same reviewer continued: "Their Pride drink specials were delicious, the food from Laziz was phenomenal—definitely try the falafel!—and the vibe was everything you could want if you're looking to hang out and talk to friends in a comfy, welcoming environment, but still get to interact and meet new people."

The dip sampler features excellent renditions of baba ganoush, muhammara and the hummus that started Laziz years ago. Lebanese-inspired bar bites with craft cocktails—it's a combination you won't find at other downtown Salt Lake City bars.

Edison Street's Comeback: A Bar District With History

In 1906, city leaders changed the name of Franklin Avenue to Edison Street, and now the street is once again undergoing a revitalization with a slew of newly opened Salt Lake bars. The area has a gritty, authentic history—it's been home to everything from brothels to immigrant communities to auto shops.

Edison's dense concentration of murals creates an ever-changing, open-air gallery of local and international street art and graffiti lending this block its unique aesthetic. The famous Ave Maria mural is there. Pairs of old shoes hang from overhead cables. It's the kind of urban texture that makes Salt Lake City feel like a real city, not just a mountain town with tall buildings.

Back Door fits perfectly into this landscape. The space was once home to the Mortar & Pestle concept—the bar area that accompanied the Curry Up Now fast casual restaurant. When Laziz Kitchen expanded to downtown and replaced Curry Up Now, Back Door was born as the 21+ only cocktail lounge next door.

Other Edison Street bars include Copper Common on the southern end, which began as Plum Alley and has morphed into one of Salt Lake's most reliable watering holes with a food-forward menu. Bar X, Franklin Avenue, and others round out what's become downtown SLC's coolest bar crawl destination.

But what makes Back Door special among the Edison Street bar scene? The connection to Laziz Kitchen means it's more than just a cocktail bar—it's an extension of a restaurant that's explicitly about creating safe, welcoming spaces.

A Safe Space in the Speakeasy Scene

As Moudi Sbeity has said: "We see Laziz beyond a restaurant—it's gathering space of acceptance, good food, and love. We are proudly queer, we hire refugees, and we have an open arm policy to anyone that walks through our doors."

That philosophy extends to Back Door. This isn't just marketing speak—it's built into the DNA of the business. The owners literally sued the state for the right to marry. They've faced vandalism and hate. And they responded by doubling down on inclusivity.

This matters in the context of Salt Lake City's speakeasy bars and cocktail lounges. A lot of bars create "intimate" atmospheres that can feel exclusive or unwelcoming if you're not part of the in-crowd. Back Door manages to feel intimate without feeling cliquish. Cozy without being closed-off.

The result is what one reviewer called "a comfy, welcoming environment" where you can bring a first date or meet new friends or just sit at the bar and talk to the staff. It's sophisticated enough for a special occasion but approachable enough for a Tuesday night.

Hours, Location & What to Order at Back Door SLC

Address: 152 E 200 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (Edison Street Alley)
Phone: (385) 267-1161
Hours:

• Monday-Thursday: 5pm-10pm
• Friday-Saturday: 5pm-12am
• Sunday: 5pm-9pm

What to Order:
Based on customer reviews, start with one of their signature cocktails—the "habibi" and "ex boyfriend" get consistent praise, and the espresso martini is apparently excellent. Ask the bartenders for recommendations based on what you like; they're knowledgeable and personable.

For food, order from Laziz Kitchen: the falafel is phenomenal, and the dip sampler with hummus, baba ganoush, and muhammara is excellent.

Good to Know:

• This is a 21+ only bar
• They offer "magical mocktails" for non-drinkers
• Reservations available through their website
• Part of the same business as Laziz Kitchen, so you get the full Mediterranean menu
• Wheelchair accessible
• Accepts credit cards and Apple Pay

Why Back Door Matters to Salt Lake City's Bar Scene

Downtown Salt Lake City's nightlife has come a long way. The Edison Street revitalization, the proliferation of craft cocktail bars, the increasing diversity of food and drink options—it all points to a city that's finally growing into itself.

Back Door SLC represents something important in that evolution. It's a speakeasy bar that's welcoming, not exclusive. It's craft cocktails with Lebanese food. It's owned by people who've fought for equality and continue to hire refugees. It's a date night spot that's also a neighborhood gathering place.

"The story of this bar starts with a family dream to have a place to gather and eat," explains Blake Hannon. "They brought this dream to a reality, and, as a result, they added a warm family touch to their creation."

That warmth is what you feel when you're there. Not just the aesthetic warmth of dim lighting and comfortable chairs, but the human warmth of a space that genuinely wants you to stay awhile. To have another drink. To order one more dip. To keep talking.

In a city that's sometimes criticized for being buttoned-up or homogeneous, Back Door on Edison Street is proof that Salt Lake City has room for everyone—you just might have to walk down an alley to find it. But trust me, it's worth the trip.

Visit Back Door SLC at 152 E 200 South, tucked in the Edison Street alley, and discover why this cozy speakeasy has become one of downtown Salt Lake City's most welcoming cocktail lounges. Follow them on Instagram @backdoorslc for drink specials and updates.