Wasatch Brew Pub opened its first restaurant in Salt Lake City last September, and already it’s a hit with a brand that is perfect for the growing heart of Sugar House.
With Westminster College within walking distance and 600 apartment units opening in the hub this year, the local demographic is changing. Wasatch Pub gravitated to Sugar House because they could see what was coming; the youthfulness and vitality of the neighborhood is a powerful magnet.
The new dining club occupies a highly visible corner of the building called “The Vue at Sugar House Crossing” at 21st South and 11th East. The ground-floor commercial space has a two-story glass exterior that is open and inviting to everyone who passes the famous corner, site of the iconic Monument Plaza. The plaza was recently remodeled into a modern urban gathering place for special events like the annual Farmers Market and Sugar House Arts Festival.
A spokesman for Mecham Management, the property developer, said that they were very careful about the selection of restaurants to occupy the retail floor of the Crossing. The building was designed to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Silver environmental standards for commercial development. Wasatch Brew Pub has a reputation for environmental sensitivity, and is recognized for its effort to recycle, save water, and conserve energy. The brewery used reclaimed materials to finish the new store, and its ceiling glows with a cloud of energy-efficient LED lights that hang above the bar and lounge.
Another factor was Wasatch Brewery’s commitment to the community. Last month, Wasatch joined other merchants and the Chamber of Commerce in hosting live entertainment for the Sugar House Winter Carnival. They participated with Flatbread Neapolitan Pizzeria and the Annex by Epic in Yelp’s Toys for Tater Tots campaign. This spring, they look forward to sponsoring special events on the Plaza, where patio seating will allow patrons to watch the entertainment while enjoying dinner and drinks.
The Wasatch Brand
21st South and Highland Drive is at the center of Sugar House. Ralph Nagasawa, MJSA, was the project architect for Wasatch Pub Sugarhouse. He said the property owners were quite receptive to creative design ideas that matched the distinctive Wasatch brand. The high ceiling and transparent walls lent themselves to a second floor mezzanine that overlooks the main dining room and the Monument Plaza, and provides a wonderful indoor space for private events, parties, and weddings.
The new store has all of Wasatch’s trademark beers and menu offerings — bison burgers, wings and fish & chips are still the favorites. They have a manufacturing agency license to brew on-site. Salt Lake Brewing Co.’s Chief Operating Officer Doug Hofeling is excited about their test lab where they can experiment with bizarre and esoteric recipes. He says they can also make a beer for a specific occasion, such as a wedding or birthday party. Last year, Wasatch Brew Pub in Park City created Clothing Hoptional Golden Ale, brewed using wild hops harvested from sites that are protected by Summit Land Conservancy.
What’s coming for 2015?
Since Wasatch received their dining club license last October, patrons now can enjoy any of their classic favorites or special edition brews without ordering food. Perhaps the Brew Pub will hold a home-brewing contest, or host a craft beer festival on the Plaza. Or, maybe there will be a seasonal sugar beet brew to tap. Whatever they do, count on it to be original and delicious.
Wasatch Brew Pub
2110 Highland Drive
Mon-Thurs, 11 am-12 am/Fri-Sat, 10 am-12 am
