Seabird Utah Bar x Salted Grain Collab
Salt Lake and surrounding communities, aka “the Silicon Slopes”, is growing… and fast. Reports say that the tech industry in Provo, Utah is growing faster than anywhere else in the nation. To keep up with the demand for talent, Salt Lake and Utah County continue to welcome new residents – notably, tech professionals re-locating from larger, Bay Area communities.
While it’s not great news for our rush hours and transit systems, it is fantastic news for thousands of local entrepreneurs seeking to serve and thrill these new customers. Particularly, those who want to raise the bar even higher for Utah’s food and drink scene.
A couple of those local entrepreneurs, the owners of La Barba Coffee, have seized the opportunity to up the area’s cocktail game. Seabird, a classy “bar + vinyl listening lounge” concept opening right next door to the Lily & Copper Design office in Draper, brings an elevated evening and nighttime experience to an increasingly metropolitan community.
A genuinely fresh addition to Draper’s traditionally suburban vibe - food, wine, beer, and seasonal cocktails can be enjoyed at Seabird while music plays from a classic record player.
Located about 30 minutes away from Downtown SLC’s culinary hotspots, Seabird’s Draper location would have been a risky move five years ago. But the opportunity is so ripe right now; the owners aren’t just opening one! Seabird will also have a second location in Downtown SLC – which speaks volumes about just how much growth is really going on.
“We are very excited to have Seabird in Draper and in our building as a tenant. We feel they really match our vision. Although it was a challenge getting to this point, we want to thank Draper City, and it’s council members, for their hard work and dedication to helping us through the process. We feel that by Draper City allowing Seabird into this space, it shows that Draper is very forward thinking. They really listen to the community. We are very grateful to Seabird for selecting our location and bringing such an upscale and classy cocktail lounge to Draper.”
Thanks to the nature of tech-driven growth, booming communities like Salt Lake, Provo and Lehi areas aren’t just growing – they are growing faster than ever before. And with customers and brands putting greater emphasis on craft food, cocktails and experiences – local entrepreneurs and business owners have a unique challenge to rapidly meet new demand while also staying true to their elevated principles. (Which unlike chain restaurants don’t often include “growth for growth’s sake”).
With fancy bar snacks, seasonal cocktails and a modern design aesthetic – both Seabird Bar and La Barba Coffee exemplify that balance of crafty growth. Utilizing the talents of a local custom furniture maker, Salted Grain, Seabird is also ensuring that other local businesses also benefit from the growth.
Seabird worked with Salted Grain to turn their bar and vinyl listening room concept into a cohesive well-thought space with beautiful pieces of furniture. When we asked Colby with Salted Grain about the collaboration they were delighted to share the details. The beautiful Baltic birch ply tables are made of a material the team was very proud of. Baltic birch ply is a common, but Salted Grain used their craftsmanship to make it something extraordinary. Being that it is similar to a slate-like surface, it's great for serving drinks and is a long-lasting material.
“I really value the people behind Seabird because when they do something, they want to do it well. They want to enhance the environment. They design really good spaces. And they value good quality work. Which is a compliment to us.” ... “The clients that value craftsmanship, I enjoy most. La Barba and Seabird were projects that I’m very proud of.”
The airy new cocktail lounge, nestled amongst the natural scenic Slopes of Silicon Slopes, is a space that will both celebrate the neighboring community and impress the snootiest out-of-town guest. Hat’s off to Salt Lake’s tenacious ‘craft entrepreneurs’ who continue to hustle without compromise.
Long-time locals & transplants alike – put Seabird on next weekend’s bucket list.