Republican

07/22/09

Expansive pub feel, minimal BS

by CSMobileUser at Citysearch

The Republican is fairly unique on the downtown SLC bar/pub scene. It has an ambience that's hard to accurately describe but is always enjoyable, yea, even comfortable.

It's not a bar everyone, it definitely has a laid-back feel to it. Monday nights feature an ecclectic, but always enjoyable, Irish music jam.

The smokers can congregate in the back smoking cage and the patrons can enjoy the pleasantly lit converted warehouse interior.

Staff has always been pleasant with me, but I've never been there on a really busy night, so I haven't dealt w/ them under pressure. I tend to think they'd still be agreeable.

Overall, a great neighborhood pub with a unique vibe that's easy to sync up with.

03/25/09

come as you are, unless your lame.

by jdjoo at Citysearch

This is a nice down to earth pub that you should stay out of if you are looking to make an jack-A out of yourself. For years I have been looking for a place that isn't so dedicated to turning into the biggest hippest bar in town that they basically sell out the people that put it up in the first place. These guys arent looking to generate a base of frat boy or singles hookup junkies. If you can hold your liquor and humble yourself at the door you can walk in sit down and have a pleasant enough time and converse with the patrons. Just remember most these guys have been around a long time and dont give two hoots about what you think their bar should be like. If you like the hype there are countless bars in town that cater to just such a patron. try the other "irishish" bar just down the street.

10/22/08

Old school pub, not for everybody

by nate101 at Citysearch

I always go there with the regulars ever since day-one, so you can argue that is the reason they always treat me fine. The Republican is definitely a different kind of pub. They seem to be more interested in making it a comfortable hangout for the regulars, than expanding the customer base. And I can see how first timers would judge this place. But it all boils down to this: Whenever I wanna see meat market, I go to the Port'O Call, Piper Down, or any of the thousands of bars in SLC. Whenever I wanna get imports, I go to the Bayou. But whenever I wanna just chill out with my regular hangout crowd without the annoyance of people around trying to pick up girls/guys, I go to the Republican and other old school pubs. Name your own pubs where you don't feel like talking to strangers, and I bet that first timers there would feel the same as these early reviewers feel about the Republican.