Residents of Liberty Wells are one step closer to enjoying a new community gathering place as the Salt Lake City Planning Commission unanimously granted a conditional use permit for Neighbors Bar.
Located at 416 E. 900 South, the bar will be part of a larger development project that includes the Wasatch Cooperative Market, a grocery store owned by shareholders that is opening its first location.
Neighbors Bar is envisioned not just as a tavern, but as a venue offering a unique food menu featuring American and Taiwanese fusion dishes.
According to the bar’s owners, the menu will consist of 12-15 items, inclusive of vegan and vegetarian options.
In addition to food, Neighbors Bar aims to provide a diverse beverage selection, which includes draft beer, cider, wine, kombucha, nitro coffee, and non-alcoholic mocktails.
A special house cocktail menu will cater to a wide range of tastes, featuring both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Chase Worthen, a partner in the project and owner of The Pearl in Central 9th, will help lead the Neighbors Bar initiative.
The bar’s plans outline an establishment that will occupy approximately 1,080 square feet on the ground floor and include a 220 square foot patio located in the northwest corner of the building.
City staff noted that earlier plans had featured a somewhat larger patio area.
The staff report also included a mix of community feedback from Liberty Wells residents regarding the proposed bar, yielding a diverse response.
While some residents expressed concerns about potential noise, parking shortages, and increased traffic congestion in the area, many voiced their support for the bar.
Supporters indicated that they are looking forward to having an additional meeting spot and dining option in their neighborhood, suggesting that the bar could serve as a vibrant community hub.
Among the supporters is Ty Burrell, the star of ABC’s Modern Family and a local restaurateur known for owning popular establishments such as Salt Lake City’s Beer Bar and Bar X.
Burrell emphasized his confidence in Worthen’s ability to realize his vision for Neighbors Bar and highlighted the importance of community building in Worthen’s plans.
As construction continues on the building, the Planning Commission’s approval marks a significant milestone in the journey toward establishing the bar in Liberty Wells.
Along with the grocery market, the development known as the Milk Block will introduce additional enterprises, including a Xao Bao Bao location and a flower shop adjacent to the proposed bar.
Upon its opening, Neighbors Bar will join an expanding list of businesses situated along 900 South, enhancing accessibility via the 9 Line Trail for the community.
Following the approval of its conditional use permit, the project is now poised to secure a bar license from the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services, paving the way for the eventual opening of Neighbors Bar.
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