Underground at the Social: Mocktails, Meals, Music and More

If you wander down University Avenue in Provo Town Square, you might catch sight of a sign pointing you through a door. Go down a flight of stairs and along a straight hallway, then turn left. You’ll find yourself at The Social, an underground mocktail bar full of cozy nooks to relax in with a drink and a meal. Art by local artists hangs on the wall over a grand piano while people cluster around tables and sofas. When you walk in, there’s a good chance you’ll earn yourself a warm welcome from the owner of The Social, Patrick Walmsley.

“Our niche is a little bit unique in terms of the space, the types of food, the pricing and just trying to offer an interesting environment for locals and visitors,” Walmsley says. The space itself is both welcoming and open, with stone walls and natural wood from the building’s 1880s foundation. “The rock and the wood and the natural elements ― you just can’t replicate that,” Walmsley says. “When people get down there, they love it. Downstairs creates a good vibe, but it’s hard because you’re just not visible.” As a result, people tend to find The Social by word of mouth rather than by wandering in. Now you’re in on the word of mouth. Congratulations!

“I think everyone who’s working there now or has worked there has a drink that they created that’s on the menu”

Situated near BYU and UVU, The Social gets a lot of student business, so one of Walmsley’s main goals is to make sure it’s an affordable place for food. A majority of the students don’t drink, so the bar is mocktail-focused. The drink menu is one of The Social’s main attractions ― there’s even a secret menu where customers can roll dice for a drink. The mocktails themselves are a collaborative and creative effort among the staff. “I think everyone who’s working there now or has worked there has a drink that they created that’s on the menu,” Walmsley says.

The Social added alcohol options to its mix at the start of 2025, and now the mocktails are easily converted to cocktails (and vice versa). The alcohol stays in the back so the bar can be open to those under 21. “The hotels refer people over because there’s not a lot of places you can get a drink in Provo,” Walmsley says. “Visitors really enjoy the unique atmosphere, and the fact that they can grab a drink with their food is a big deal.”

The Social’s food has as much variety and creativity as its mocktails, and most of it is made from scratch in the kitchen. Walmsley says customers keep returning for specific dishes ― the signature Social burger, the ratatouille and the pavlova are all rather popular. The menu is made up of five different food concepts, creating a diverse assortment of options with something for everyone.

“Yeah, we’re a little bit of everything. It’s about the experience. We’re trying to keep it so there’s always something new to check out.”

The Social also hosts a variety of events. Open mic comedy nights, hosted by local comedian Oz Morris, happen every Thursday evening. Local poet Marianne Hales Harding hosts monthly spoken word poetry nights. And of course, live music from local musicians happens on Friday and Saturday evenings, with a more casual round on Wednesdays. But according to Walmsley, you never know what impromptu jam sessions might sprout up around the piano.

“Yeah, we’re a little bit of everything,” Walmsley says. “It’s about the experience. You come in here, and we should have some new food item, a new drink. We’re trying to keep it so there’s always something new to check out.”

Find your way down the stairs and have a look (and a sip) for yourself! Follow The Social on Instagram @thesocialprovo to stay in the loop on new menu items, upcoming events and more.

Read about more places making non-alcoholic drinks in Utah:
No Booze, No Problem: Eighteen Thirty-Three Decenters Alcohol
WB’s Changes the Narrative Around Alcohol-Free Drinks