After 17 years of serving as a beloved fabric of Salt Lake City’s nightlife, The Garage on Beck has officially closed its doors. Founded in 2008, the venue quickly became known for its roadhouse-style atmosphere, live music, and a diverse community that brought together individuals from all walks of life.
In a heartfelt conversation with SLUG, owner and founder Bob McCarthy shared his reflections on what made The Garage unique and impactful.
“The proudest [I was made of the venue] was because of our diversity,” McCarthy said. “The bar on the edge of town was for rebels and misfits, a mixture of old, young, Black, white, gay, straight, trans — it was an amalgamation of diversity. I didn’t want an old dad bar or a bar full of fraternity kids, I wanted to blend them all.”
Although The Garage’s doors may have closed, McCarthy assured patrons that there are still plenty of authentic establishments in the city. He mentioned several alternative spots for former customers: “Bob’s Redwood Lounge, Duffy’s [Tavern], Lucky [13], Piper Down [Pub] — anywhere you can see that somebody is home, that someone has their eyes on it, y’know?”
A defining aspect of The Garage was its commitment to authenticity in music and entertainment. “We didn’t want cover bands, we didn’t want it to be get-up-and-dance hits kind of a thing, y’know? It doesn’t feel authentic,” McCarthy emphasized.
This commitment to authenticity was present in every aspect of his tenure at The Garage. Reflecting on the venue’s origins, McCarthy noted, “The reason The Garage is The Garage is because it was born as a garage in 1947 … Be true to whatever the project is, and when everything changes, which it will, don’t follow every trend. The trend will come and go; I’d rather just be timeless. I know the garage would have been there a hundred years if we owned the property — it is timeless.”
Despite its significant cultural contributions, The Garage faced a tumultuous journey leading to its closure. The venue had endured significant challenges since its inception, including a nearly disastrous land deal early on. Another hurdle came when the bar experienced two devastating fires over the years, yet it still managed to continue operations.
In the previous year, an agreement was made for the surrounding land to be sold, leading to a complicated and pivotal moment for The Garage. McCarthy explained, “It wasn’t about putting me out of business, it was about liability. To have 300 kids there by an oil refinery every night — and they do blow up or have mishaps where eardrums blow and windows crack — I’m sure they paid a million dollars [in insurance] a year because of the 300 kids sitting right next to them.”
Coming to terms with the decision to close, McCarthy expressed sadness yet relief that The Garage was able to end on a high note, hosting one final musical celebration.
McCarthy reminisced about the unforgettable acts that graced The Garage’s stage, reflecting on the venue’s commitment to showcasing genuine talent. He recounted performances by notable musicians such as national acts like Brad Wheeler bringing Andre Williams, and Bill Kirchen from Commander Cody, as well as treasured local artists like Joe McQueen, a remarkable jazz musician from Ogden, and Morgan Snow from Triggers & Slips.
“All those guys I mentioned are the real deal … Music has always been a big deal [to me], I wanted to do what I knew, and I know music, and I know good music,” he stated, emphasizing his vision for The Garage’s music offerings.
With the closure of The Garage on Beck, McCarthy’s impact on the local scene will endure through his other establishments. He continues to contribute to the authenticity and vibrancy of Salt Lake City nightlife through venues such as Stoneground Kitchen and Junior’s Tavern.
As he looks to the future, McCarthy encourages locals to support bars that foster genuine connections and uphold the spirit of community, just as The Garage has done for nearly two decades. You can follow McCarthy’s journey on Instagram with updates from @juniorstavern and @stonegrounditalian, the latter of which just celebrated 25 years of serving Salt Lake City.
While it is bittersweet to bid farewell to The Garage, its legacy of diversity, authenticity, and unforgettable music will surely resonate within the hearts of its patrons for years to come.
image source from：slugmag
