OK, not really. But it can seem that way to anyone paying attention to the ever-evolving world downtown, where locales like the long-gone Zephyr Club, torn-down Ya Buts and sporadically open blues club-turned-strip joint Dead Goat Saloon seem like ancient history compared with newer spots like The Depot, the Red Door, Circle Lounge and Lumpy's Downtown.

In case you're not one of the people waiting for a new $80 million "Broadway-style" theater to explore the capital at night, here's a quick look at some new places worth a visit.

The Hotel

155 W. 200 South

Phone: 801-478-4310

The Hotel took over the Shaggy's Living Room 33,000-square-foot, multilevel club space and reopened on April 20 with plush new décor in its many themed bar areas and a futuristic vibe in Elevate, the attached dance space formerly known as the Velvet Room. Dancing dominates the Hotel scene from Thursday through Saturday; general manager Ryan Warnock said Shaggy's was averaging about 2,600 patrons on Saturday nights. But lunch will be available during the day and a smaller, speakeasy-style bar will be open on the private club's dance-party "off" nights. The space has changed names and attitudes many times through the years, including incarnations as the Green Parrot, Zipperz, Gravity and The Library, but Warnock believes a stylistic return to the historic building's roots - a hotel, saloon and brothel filled the place in the early 1900s - will prove appealing to Salt Lake City clubgoers. "Our big thing is having a comfortable place and something for everybody," Warnock said.

Kayo Gallery

315 E. 300 South

Phone: 801-363-1016

Web site: http://www.kayogallery.com

Kenny Riches opened the Kayo Gallery about a year ago as a place where the 24-year-old Salt Lake native could showcase young artists' work. As of a couple of weeks ago, thanks to the booking talent of Salt Lake musician Will Sartain, Kayo is also an all-ages music venue. It's a natural fit, according to Riches. "During our art openings, I would sometimes get live music to play. Usually acoustic stuff," Riches said. "I've been friends with Will for a long time, and he said, 'Kenny, we should do a venue in here. The sound is good. The atmosphere is nice.' And I was like, 'Make it happen.' " So far, so good; the gallery has hosted shows by acoustic-based, mellow acts and explosive rockers. Riches said music definitely makes for more work, but "most people respect the space and it's been good so far."

Junior's

30 E. 300 South

801-322-0318

Veteran bar-hoppers know Junior's isn't "new" in Salt Lake City. But it is new in many ways, starting with the location. Formerly ensconced southeast of the City-County Building, Junior's reopened just over a week ago on Broadway, in the same strip of storefronts as the Judge Cafe. It is now a private club instead of a beer-only tavern, although the liquor selection is very much a work in progess. It is now nonsmoking as well, beating the Legislature to the punch. In the important ways, though, Junior's is the same. The old bar was transferred to the new address, as were the massive beer-can collection, its display cases and the pool table. The recognizable faces tending bar remain the same, as does the friendly and loyal clientele that waited a couple months for Junior's to come back to life after leaving the old address this winter.

Ouida's Lounge

268 S. State St.

Phone: 801-521-4442

Ouida's Lounge, upstairs from the House of Kabob and Pita, isn't the only hookah bar in the Salt Lake Valley - Huka Bar & Grill opened a while back in the old Rhino Grille near Fashion Place Mall - but it is the only one within walking distance of downtown Salt Lake City's amenities. Ten bucks rents you a hookah and buys tobacco to smoke for a half-hour, and Ouida's Amber Powell said all the house hookahs are taken on a busy night. Wednesdays features Latin dance music, Fridays are hip-hop and dance music and Saturdays focus on trance and deep house, but the private club is expanding to include live jazz and blues performers in addition to its DJs, so Ouida's could be hopping nightly in short order.

More places you might not know:

* Jackalope Lounge, 372 S. State St. (formerly Bourbon Street)

* Exchange, 32 E. Exchange Place (formerly the Lazy Moon Pub)

* Mynt Martini Lounge, 63 W. 100 South (formerly Wasatch CD Exchange)

* Captain's Quarters, 64 W. 400 South