The Depot

As some have mentioned, The Depot is a great venue for good quality sound. I think Utah is short on good venues with great acoustics. While not perfect, The Depot definitely beats out most other places. You can actually hear the music and the lyrics. You can distinguish individual words that are coming from the stage. That could be a combination of the better acoustics of the place as well as the audience.

Another reason I like this concert venue is because it's 21+ for most shows. That means I don't have to deal with a bunch of young kids who don't care about the show and talk the whole time. Do I sound like an old lady? Probably. Sure, you still get some people who don't know how to talk quietly but it's not quite as bad as other places. Another perk of the 21+ crowd? Less pushing and shoving on the main floor. Of course, that depends on the show but I haven't had an issue for any show that I've been to.

Being a short person at a concert is kind of the worst. I always manage to stand behind the tallest person in the building. No, I take that back. The tallest person always ends up standing in front of me. I don't know how it happens. I think they just don't see me and they see an opening. But at The Depot, they have a balcony. Sure, you have to get there early if you want a spot but this is perfect for a short girl like me. I can actually see the people on stage! Their whole body and not just glimpses of their heads! There are VIP seats on the balcony but I have no idea how to acquire said seats.

The biggest downside to this place is the price of drinks. I'm not expecting dirt cheap drinks since it's a nicer venue but I think they're a little higher than they should be. Also, every once in awhile, I buy a ticket for a show at The Depot because I like the smaller venue but then they sell out so quickly that the show moves to Saltair. Not cool. That is no longer an intimate show. I know that's probably not the fault of the venue itself but it still sucks.

I really like The Depot - it's never too crowded, it's generally fairly cool inside, it's clean, and the sound quality is great. Somehow I always end up spending half the show upstairs wishing I could see a little better, only to eventually decide to go downstairs and then realize I can get within 20 feet of the stage with relative ease.

Number one venue in Salt Lake City for live music 4 years running. Great line up!