I decided to try Van Ryder on my recent trip to salt lake. I arrived with no reservations and was told by the host that the bar had open seats. I walked over to the bar and unfortunately there were no seats at the bar despite being told there was plenty open. I was disappointed by the inconsistencies in the messages from the staff. This inconsistent and slow service continued for the rest Despite the rocky start and lackluster service throughout the food, views and ambiance more than made up for it. I got the nachos to start and they were some of the best I've ever had, would go back for just that. The DJ and views made the over all vibe and feel at the restaurant 5 starts. Bump up the service and it would be 5 starts over all. read more

This location has a great view of the downtown SLC area... the food, service, and everything else was just okay. It really wasn't worth the price for the quantity or the quality of food. The calamari was good, but not great. Kind of flavorless. The bbq plate was way too salty and really didn't come with much. Our server was very friendly but could have been a bit more attentive. Upon arrival, the hostess seemed to be turning someone away even though there were many open tables. After the couple left, the hostess then had some unpleasant words to her colleague. Wasn't a great first impression. All that to say, I'm not likely to return. read more

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We arrived with a party of six and were seated by the hostess, who mentioned that the restaurant had two bars, one inside and one outside. When it was time to order, we asked if we could have separate checks. Our server told us that splitting checks was not allowed. We completely understood and said that we would order our food from her and simply purchase our drinks separately at the bar. She then told us we were not allowed to order drinks from the bar because we were seated at her table and that all of our drinks had to be ordered through her. Unfortunately, the server's tone and attitude throughout the interaction made us feel so uncomfortable and unwelcome that our entire party decided to leave. We were more than willing to work around the no-split-check policy, but being told we also couldn't purchase our own drinks at a bar that the hostess had just told us was available was frustrating. Ultimately, it wasn't the policy that made us leave it was the way the situation was handled. read more

I visited Van Ryder with a large group this past week, and I feel management needs to take what we witnessed seriously. When we arrived, a man named Oliver and a woman named Emily were working the front. Oliver had an extremely strong smell of marijuana on him, and multiple of us personally saw him discreetly holding what appeared to be a vape pen. This was not the case with Emily, who later walked us to our seats and was nothing but professional and friendly. What was even more concerning was Oliver's behavior toward Emily while our entire group was waiting to be seated. He spoke to her in an aggressive, disrespectful, and completely inappropriate tone that no coworker should use toward another employee, particularly in front of customers. You could visibly see that his words affected her. Despite this, Emily remained incredibly sweet, professional, and welcoming with our group. She is the reason we stayed. Our group was prepared to leave and take our business elsewhere, but she completely turned it around. We ultimately spent over $700 at the bar, and that revenue very likely would have been lost without her. For context, I manage a large group of restaurants in Nevada, so I understand how important front-of-house employees are to the guest experience and the image a business presents. If I had an employee behaving this way in front of a large group of guests, while also smelling strongly of marijuana and creating an uncomfortable environment for another employee, I would address it immediately and seriously question whether that person should remain in a customer-facing position. My group was also full of pass holders, which makes this especially disappointing because we expect to return regularly. I sincerely hope management addresses this situation because we do not want to see Oliver working there again, particularly at the front door. If he is working the front when we return, our large group will simply walk out. Emily deserves genuine recognition for maintaining an exceptional attitude under an uncomfortable situation and ultimately saving what could have been a lost $700+ group. Side note: the drinks were great as usual. This would be a 1-star review had it not been for your saving grace--Emily. That really shouldn't have to be the side note, yet here we are. Management should take this feedback seriously and address Oliver's conduct accordingly. read more

Kyle was totally amazing. got the queso Fundido cause Kyle recommended it and totally knew the menu. totally will be back to try more!!! Kyle deserves a raise!!!! read more

While on a weekend getaway, my friend and I decided to check out this spot. With a western meets sleek ambiance, Van Ryder delivers. The views on the rooftop were amazing. We ordered the calamari and the Tuna Tartare which were both tasty. For my drink, I ordered the high desert bloom which was very refreshing. Service was great. Glad we had the opportunity to check out this spot. read more

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Went here for date night and unfortunately the experience started off badly before we even got inside. The guy working the door, who I believe was named Oliver, smelled so strongly of weed that we honestly thought we were standing next to a dispensary. It was bad enough that my wife didn't even want to go inside. This isn't the first time either. We've noticed the same strong smell with the same doorman on a previous visit. I don't care what someone does on their own time, but when you're the person standing at the front door greeting customers, it shouldn't be the first thing people notice. We came out to have a nice dinner and enjoy our night, and it just wasn't a good first impression. Hopefully management addresses it because we otherwise wanted to enjoy this place. read more

Great views, great vibes! I was staying at the Courtyard Marriott a block away and wanted to come here for a nice cocktail and rooftop sunset views - and it didn't disappoint in either fronts! Beautiful space with a small bar, tables, a fireplace, and a nice decent size outdoor space with tables and fire pits too. Service was great and I enjoyed both my drinks. I ended up ordering the nachos to go so I could lazily enjoy them back in my hotel room, and though I still enjoyed them I'm sure they're even better fresh. I will definitely be back here next time I'm in town for work again! read more

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I recently visited Van Ryder and had a very mixed experience. When we first got there, things started off a little rough. The fries came out cold, and when we asked about sitting closer to the view, the hostess told us we couldn't--even though the table was completely open. That honestly threw the vibe off for us. At that point, we told our server Kyle to just cancel the food and that we'd pay for our drinks and head somewhere else. But I have to give credit where it's due--Carli, the manager, completely turned things around. She stepped in, moved us to the open table, and made sure we were able to actually enjoy the experience and the view. That made a big difference. Once we reset, the lemon drops were amazing--definitely a highlight. The burger was fresh, flavorful, and really good. The calamari wasn't our favorite, and the fries were way too salty, which was disappointing after the first round already came out cold. We're not here on vacation and may not even be back in the state, but overall I'd rate the experience a 6/10 and the food an 8/10. Carli really saved what could've been a complete miss. read more

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Very chic rooftop bar. The music was on point and the drinks were delicious. I ordered the cookie skillet and it was SO GOOD Also ordered the Parmesan fries which were also yummy. Service was good and they were quick to get orders out. The only thing that was annoying was the amount of reserved seating. Also noting there were TONS of open seats that were supposedly reserved yet no one was sitting there for the hour and half we were there. It was frustrating that on a busy weekend there wasn't even first come first serve. The lack of actual space to hang made the whole experience mid. Will try again in the summer tho. Hopefully with a better experience! read more

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If you want anything more than a drink and a view, do not go here. Definitely don't go here for food. I've eaten here 3 times and never enjoyed my meals. The Southwest Salad is Applebee's quality for triple the price. I will not be back again. The hostesses aren't great at their jobs. Every time I've gone I've had a reservation, and every time there is an issue on their end. Most recently, they sat me and 2 friends before our 4th person arrived. When she arrived 5 minutes later, she gave them my name (which the reservation was under) and they said I hadn't arrived and went to seat her at a completely different table. My breaking point was when my friends and I ordered the Sweets Board off of their galentines menu. It was $32, and it said it included 4 different treats: fudge, cheesecake bites, cookies, and red velvet cupcakes. The picture I took is EXACTLY how it looked when the waiter set it down. We hadn't even touched it. The cookies were so hard you couldn't even bite them, and the "cheesecake bites" were literally just warm globs of cream cheese with sprinkles. The cupcakes are from Trader Joe's for like $5. I know because I went to a TJs right before this. We asked the waiter if it was a mistake, and even he seemed shocked by how bad it looked. Most of it was just inedible junk. I simply could NOT believe they charged $32 for a messy plate of stale Trader Joe's food. Absolutely abysmal. The waiter asked the chef about it and apparently that's "how the chef designed it." I would be embarrassed to serve this to my own friends even in my home for a chill movie night. For $32 at a specialized event at an "upscale" restaurant to serve this is almost too crazy to believe. Do NOT eat here. read more

Van Ryder - Galentine's Sweet Board - $32 for stale Trader Joe's items and two warm globs of cream cheese that were advertised as "cheesecake bites." - Bars Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

For the luv of sunsets, I'm there for it. Van Ryder is 21+ & on the rooftop. Valet out front near STK or find metered street parking. Take the elevator up. Recommend a res if you want outdoor seating for the views, but they do take walk-ins. Staff's country-style outfits are superrrr cute. Diggin it. Our server was super friendly and attentive. Cocktails & food were mediocre, but the view w/live music makes it worth it. Great spot for drinks & small bites before a night out. read more

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This venue is staffed with some of the best bartenders, and the views are amazing. It was great to order some local beers while also slipping to the outdoor space to watch the gorgeous sunset. read more

Van Ryder - Bars Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

My husband and I were excited to dine here during our two-day visit, but I really regret choosing this restaurant last night. We arrived without a reservation and were told that only bar seating or outdoor seating was available, even though there was an entire dining room inside with multiple empty tables. We chose to sit at the bar, and unfortunately, that turned out to be a mistake. The staff was far from friendly and gave the impression that they didn't enjoy their jobs. Hospitality was lacking throughout the entire experience, and we never felt welcomed. The food was also very disappointing. I was especially excited to try the tuna tartare, but the tuna did not taste fresh at all. When the main ingredient in a dish isn't enjoyable to eat, that's a serious problem. The beautiful view was the main reason we chose this restaurant, but after experiencing poor service and subpar food, it simply wasn't worth it. I hope management takes the time to retrain the staff and improve both the service and the quality of the food, because the location deserves a much better dining experience. read more

We were here for 2 special events. The rooftop views of the skyline and mountains at Van Ryder are stunning. The décor is sleek and modern. The staff had limited English, which made communication a bit tricky at times. The omelet station for breakfast was delicious! Some of the fried food was cold and hard but that was expected for a buffet. The dinner buffet was great though. The atmosphere and the view make it worth a visit. read more

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Van Ryder has gone downhill. They recently raised their prices, changed the menu, and the food quality and portion sizes have gotten much worse. It feels like they've given up on being a place to eat and are trying to be just a bar instead. The biggest disappointment was the parking. They no longer validate garage parking and only validate valet parking. Between the higher prices, worse food, and added parking cost, it's just not worth it anymore. Unfortunately, I won't be coming back. read more

Emily, the hostess at Van Ryder, is amazing! She is warm, welcoming and so kind. Her bubbly personality is exactly what I want when trying somewhere new. Emily, girl, keep rocking it babe because you set the stage for an amazing night. read more

Van Ryder - Bars Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

Not sure why this place has such low ratings, but I was there almost right when they opened, so maybe my experience was different. I was in town for a conference and sought out a place where I could see the mountains. This place has an incredible view! The service was really friendly and my cocktail was delicious. I didn't try the food, but the menu looked really good. I enjoyed it and would go back! read more

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When you walk into Van Ryder you are welcomed to lovely decor and a beautiful outdoor space. All of their drinks (margarita, Moscow mule, martinis, etc) were lovely. The nachos we ordered were actually delish as well with a delicious cheese cause and fresh toppings. Will definitely join again! read more

Van Ryder - Bars Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

Despite having plenty of empty seats, we were treated like we were trying to get into some ultra-exclusive place. Carli, the manager, had an attitude that was completely unnecessary--this is a regular bar, not a luxury boutique. Her behavior alone was enough to ruin the experience. The staff overall was unhelpful and dismissive, and the host could barely communicate in English, which made a simple seating situation frustrating for no reason. Again, there were clearly many open seats, yet we were told we couldn't sit. Customer service like this is exactly why people don't return. Add to that a dull, lifeless ambiance, and there's absolutely no reason to give this place another chance. I will never come back. Completely not worth it. read more

Thursday night for drinks and dinner. Bar was busy and crowded because a private event had reserved the outdoor part of the bar. Watch where you are seated (if you have a choice) beacuse the glare from the setting sun off the tile floor can be intense. Draft beer is limited, but found a nice local canned IPA. Rose by the glass was pretty good. The menu is limited (it's primarily a bar). The calamari was very good. And the roasted pepper aioli was so good my husband ordered it as dressing for his southwest salad - also very good. The pork carnitas were fine; not very smoky and the pork was under seasoned. The brisket platter looked great (neighboring table) and smelled delicious. Service with Tyler was great until he went on (a well-deserved) dinner break. Then we had a little trouble ordering a second round of drinks. Nice enough experience that we returned late Friday night for drinks with friends. read more

Van Ryder is one of those places that just gets it. The rooftop views, the vibey lighting, the drinks that taste like summer in a glass. It's where I take people when I want them to fall a little in love with Salt Lake City. I've been here a bunch of times, but my favorite was when my sister came to visit me in the summer of 2024. We sat out on the rooftop patio, smashed the tuna tartare like it was our last meal, and got just the right amount of tipsy. The whole night felt effortless. Warm air, skyline views, the kind of atmosphere that makes everyone a little friendlier and everything feel like a movie scene. We ended up meeting a group of out-of-towners who asked if we could take their photo. My sister Tonya immediately took over, turned into their personal rooftop photographer, and honestly made them look like they were shooting a travel ad. They were obsessed, and we were living. It was chaotic in the best way. Van Ryder is fun, elevated, and somehow always delivers a good time. Whether you're on a date, with your sister, making friends with strangers, or just here for the tartare, it's one of those places that turns an ordinary night into a core memory. read more

Van Ryder - Bars Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

Amber was great! Despite this place being packed as usual on a Saturday night, she took great care of us. Cool ambience and viewed. Solid drinks and liquor selections. Fun people watching. Will definitely be back as hotel guest or just when visiting ! read more

I actually really enjoyed coming here before a show at the nearby Delta Center. Note that I didn't make the reservations, I was a guest on a double date! But also know that Van Ryder isn't obvious from street level - you actually need to know where you're going: in the building, down a hallway and make a right to the elevators. Once there: gorgeous! Go at sunset like we did. There are outdoor rooftop options, the bar but also lounge areas - a few by a cozy fire. The four of us had drinks - Old Fashioned and coconut margaritas were had; and split our order tapas style and was delicious. Pork belly with frites was a hit alongside the roasted sweet potatoes and avocado was so yummy! Great service. I'd love to come back again not only for the ambiance, but to try more bites off the menu. A must try in SLC (and reminds me of California's rooftop eateries)! read more

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Visited Van Ryder on a Sunday afternoon with the first snowfall of this year. The views were absolutely spectacular with a great laid-back atmosphere. Our bartenders were Chris and Adrienne they were absolutely amazing, friendly and high-quality service. Bartender Chris had created a drink for the night which was a bourbon cocktail, it has since become my favorite and I'm not usually a bourbon drinker. If you're in the area go check them out you will not be disappointed. read more

Proceed with extreme caution if you visit this establishment with a group, particularly when ordering beverages. During a recent visit, our party discovered that the bar was actively substituting low-grade spirits while billing us for top-shelf liquor. Charging premium prices while intentionally serving bottom-shelf inventory is not just poor customer service--it is dishonest and unethical. ​When we brought this substitution to our server's attention, he simply pointed to the itemized receipt rather than addressing the issue--a completely useless response, as our party is well aware of what top-shelf spirits taste like. ​To make matters worse, I explicitly requested that our tab be capped at $500 and periodically checked in with the server to monitor the balance. Despite this, he allowed the tab to reach almost $600, offering only the flimsy excuse that "people kept ordering." Failing to enforce a requested spend limit is basic operational negligence. I am thoroughly disgusted by this level of misconduct and poor service, and we will certainly not be returning. read more

I went on a date here and got some onion rings and now I crave them everyday i fucking love this place

The atmosphere is really nice. Having the option to sit outside definitely makes it feel less intimating especially if you're like me who hasn't had a lot of bar experience. I felt like the espresso martini was a little more dull than I expected. I liked the Desert Canary a good bit though. read more

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The view is absolutely gorgeous. We sat outside on the patio which has fireplaces throughout. We ordered a few different appetizers and they were all good. They also had music entertainment on the evening we visited. Fun night read more

Was super excited to try this place, seeing so many videos and post on social media about how great the drinks and view were we thought it would be perfect to book the fireworks event for the Fourth of July. Unfortunately, from the moment we got there the vibe was completely off. I hate to say it but it genuinely felt like an act of racism, as the only Hispanic people there I could immediately tell that our evening was not going to be great. We made a reservation to be there for the show, but were completely shunned to the back corner, literally.. It would've been impossible for us to see the fireworks unless we moved. I couldn't even see over the bar area. I had to go up to the hostess and ask if there was anyway we could sit on the balcony, and finally we were seated in a good spot. The fact that I had to ask though and to see the tables around us on the patio be empty for about 30 minutes after we sat down outside was definitely eye-opening to me. And then the wait time on the drinks and the food was absolutely insane. There were people around us that were seated after us that not only got their drinks first but also food before we even got our first drink. We spent 90% of our time here waiting for our order. if you are a POC visiting Utah, I would recommend going anywhere else. Super disappointed how we spent our Fourth of July here. read more

Drinks were amazing but Sammy was better! Would recommend to anyone, even in this heat. Hard to find a rooftop like this in salt lake!

I've given up on Van Ryder. For the second time we arrive with a reservation and are told we cannot go into the bar area or outside due to a private event. As we're being walked to our table the hostess tells us the cocktail selections will be limited and service will likely be slow. We immediately left and had a great dinner with craft cocktails in the Le Meridian restaurant. read more

I loved the aesthetic here. It was absolutely beautiful. Chic upscale modern bar and seating areas. Huge deck with fire pits, tables, and views of the mountains. Service was great. We had Tommy as our waiter who was super nice but the GM Corey checked on us frequently and was also amazing. He gave my bestie a free birthday drink. We decided not to grab food here but the table next to us ordered Mac n cheese and it smelled divine. The drinks were delicious and give you a great buzz. Definitely going back when I visit Utah again. read more

Van Ryder - Bars Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

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Love it! Took my grandma and aunt here, we all had The Burger with some drinks. Both were delicious. Valentina was amazing, very nice and attentive. There no better rooftop patio in SLC read more

Andres's service was on point! Give this guy a raise :) The place and food was great as well read more

The view was wonderful. The service was the worse. Sat for over 9 mins just to be given water. 25 mins to get our drinks at the same time as our food. The food was ok. Nothing great. Had to ask the busboy to get our check. There are better places to go for food. read more

Honestly, the place is beautiful. But the hostess who was working at 6pm on 3/20, was quite rude and did not speak the best English. So her taking information at the hostess stand and reading off names was not great due to lack of good communication. Happened with my group as well as the group who checked in after us and made for awkward uncomfortableness for everyone. read more

Beautiful views, amazing drinks and food. Service was somewhat lacking, may have been understaffed. Definitely a solid choice for a good sunset view. read more

The food was delicious and the service was great. Super cute ambiance and with a cozy modern flare. I would recommend making a reservation as the line tends to grow fast! read more

Van Ryder - Brisket nachos, crispy calamari, and tuna tartar with cocktails - Bars Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

The views & vibes were incredible for my bestie's graduation celebration. We surprised her in SLC and snagged a large table outside in the beautiful outdoor weather. Started with drinks sporting our locs, then watched the sunset post-dinner with more libations! read more