After 17 years of music, memories, and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, fans of the beloved Garage on Beck are bidding a tough goodbye. The venue, a fixture along U.S. 89 in Salt Lake City, is closing its doors permanently on May 31, 2025, after a three-day farewell festival. For many, the honky-tonk roadhouse was more than just a bar—it was home.
The Garage: more than just a venue
For regulars, the Garage on Beck was a sanctuary, where music and community intertwined in an authentic, rustic setting. Its owner, Bob McCarthy, transformed a simple industrial garage into a space that welcomed everyone—from motorcycle club members to the LGBTQ+ community. With its exposed wood, corrugated tin walls, and iconic arrow-shaped marquee sign, the Garage became known for its welcoming vibe and commitment to live Americana music.
McCarthy, who bought the venue in 2008, had a vision: a place where local musicians could perform, and real music—blues, jazz, roots—could be celebrated. “The community owned it,” he said, recalling how the venue grew into a cherished spot over the years. But as the lease came to an end and the refinery purchased the property, the Garage’s time was up.
A farewell festival to remember
To honor its legacy, McCarthy and local musicians organized a three-day event called “The Last Dance.” Over 30 acts performed during the festival, filling the venue with the sounds of Americana one last time. For Morgan Snow, lead of the band Triggers & Slips, the Garage was unique. “It was always a hub for original music,” Snow said. “It felt like an incubator for musicians to launch into bigger venues.”
On the final night, the venue was packed. Fans swayed to the music and reflected on what made the Garage so special. “Where will all the cool people go with Garage on Beck gone?” asked Pompe N’ Honey’s Melissa Chilinski. It was clear that for many, this was more than just a place to hear music—it was a community.
What made garage on beck special
Despite its logistical challenges—limited parking, fires in the surrounding area, and a building slated for demolition—the Garage had a charm that was hard to beat. McCarthy took pride in every detail, from the handmade menu items like Mormon funeral potatoes to the vintage phones displayed inside. It was a venue that captured the essence of Americana in every corner.
A lasting legacy
As the venue closed its doors for the final time, many expressed their gratitude for the memories they’d made at the Garage. The three-day festival was not just a goodbye, but a celebration of the unique space that had fostered creativity and community for so many years. Those who attended left with memories—and a piece of Americana that will live on long after the building is gone.
For fans who want a tangible memory of the Garage, McCarthy is hosting a “Garage Sale” on June 6 and 7. It’s a chance to buy a piece of the venue before it’s demolished.
In the end, the Garage on Beck’s closing marks the end of an era, but its legacy in the Salt Lake City music scene will live on in the stories shared and the music that played there.