This year, we’re skipping the wrapping paper and going straight for the good stuff. December is here, and with it comes our annual reminder that the most memorable gifts aren’t things—they’re nights out, shared bites, unexpected cocktails, and evenings spent listening to Salt Lake’s best live music.
So we’ve assembled a little guide to help you gift (or treat yourself to) experiences worth savoring: new Zodiac cocktails, refreshed dishes from our winter menu, Wonderland pop-up magic, and a whole lineup of weekly happenings that make December at Lake Effect feel like its own holiday.
Settle in—your seasonal inspiration starts here.
For the person who has everything, give them something they’ve never seen before.
Our Alice in Wonderland pop-up bar returns December 15th & 16th—an immersive, descent into the Rabbit Hole where cocktails defy logic, the food borders on fantasy, and the room itself feels ever-so-slightly enchanted. It’s thoughtful, unexpected, and delightfully over the top… the kind of gift that becomes a story they’ll tell long after the holidays fade. Tickets are limited, the magic is fleeting, and the experience is truly one-of-a-kind—secure your tickets before this chapter closes.
Nothing says thoughtful quite like knowing someone’s astrology sign—and then handing them a drink crafted precisely for it. Our new Zodiac cocktail menu offers thirteen celestial creations, starting with Aries: bold, fiery, and impossible to ignore. Whether you’re gifting an evening out or orchestrating a cosmic surprise, choosing a cocktail aligned with their chart is a gesture that’s personal, playful, and undeniably delicious. It’s the kind of present that sparks conversation, invites curiosity, and tastes even better.
Some gifts are wrapped. Others are danced, swayed, or toe-tapped into existence.
Every Wednesday, Jazz Night in the Rabbit Hole delivers three uninterrupted hours of Flamingo Jazz—warm brass, smooth rhythms, and that underground, velvet-lit charm that makes midweek feel cinematic.
Prefer a little more BPM? Head upstairs for Thursday Revelations, where Church transforms into a house-driven haven led by rotating DJs.
Whether it’s jazz-soaked ambiance or high-energy pulpit beats, gifting someone a night out with live music is an invitation to escape the ordinary—no wrapping paper (or cover fee) is required.
If food is a love language, consider us fluent. Our winter dinner menu is the kind of gift that never gets returned—plated with new dinnerware, elevated flatware, and dishes that arrive with both flavor and flair. From our reimagined entrées to the classics polished for the season, everything feels a little richer, a little cozier, a little more celebratory. And honestly? We’d take our NY Steak over a new pair of socks any day. Treat your favorite people to a night out that feeds every sense.
Some gifts sparkle for a moment; this one keeps unfolding long after the wrapping hits the floor. A Lake Effect gift card is an open invitation to craft their own perfect night—whether that means a Zodiac cocktail tailored to their chart, brunch that turns into an afternoon well spent, dinner that lingers, or a spontaneous stop downstairs for jazz & drinks (or upstairs for a sermon of a different kind). It’s thoughtful without guessing, generous without overthinking, and always the right size.
In other words: the gift that keeps on giving, one unforgettable evening at a time.
As the holiday season blooms over Salt Lake City, consider this your guide to the best seasonal experiences, gifts, and festive nights out the city has to offer. Whether you’re searching for unique holiday activities in Salt Lake, a thoughtful Salt Lake gift guide, or simply the perfect place for dinner, cocktails, and live music this season, Lake Effect is ready to make every celebration memorable. Thank you for spending your year with us—here’s to a December filled with good company, great drinks, and unforgettable nights in the heart of downtown SLC.
