Vail is epic, from first Gondola One to the best après ski. Vail has an inimitable ski mountain, and an ideal base village – two in fact: Vail Village and Lions Head. See why we love Vail! Here’s some food for thought… skiing Vail’s 5,289 acres, riding Vail’s 31 lifts, you work up an appetite and a thirst. So where to go after crushing cord on Riva Ridge, or finding freshies in the Back Bowls and Pete’s Blue Sky Basin? You’ll be ready for Vail’s après ski after all this skiing!
Vail’s charming pedestrian ski village was modeled after The Alps best ski town, St Anton, with a clock tower, covered wooden bridge – hence the name Bridge Street, chic ski shops in chalets like Gorsuch and Pepi’s, and après ski bars that rock with live music and happy hours as skiers pour off the mountain ready to party in their ski boots.
Best Après Ski at Vail “cheap & deep” to “sophisticated & steep”!
Cheap & Deep Vail Après Ski
First stop – Los Amigos is right by the Gondola One with margaritas by the pitcher, nachos and a picture-perfect view of skiers descending their last run. Los Amigos is also a great ski in lunch, affordable, quick, yummy Mexican fare and you are steps to the gondola for more skiing after refueling.
Red Lion is a Vail institution for après ski, with live music, and a great location overlooking Vail’s pedestrian walkway, near the swank shops and best hotels like Lodge at Vail. This 1963 building in the heart of it all was indeed Vail’s first, serving as the ski hospital in Vail’s infancy, kinda funny as skiers medicated themselves here after skiing. Now, big shared tables, ski boots and pints of beer are the vibe here.
Vendetta’s on Bridge Street is ski bum central, cheap & cheerful with casual comfort food – pizza and pasta. Vail’s Ski Patrol slide in for beers after sweep. Its not fancy but the food and drinks are good, well priced and the conversation is fun. Vendetta’s has a fun view of Bridge, while the back terrace is perfect for sunny spring ski lunch or après ski outside.
Vail Brewing Co brews exceptional hand-crafted beer served in their original Eagle Vail brewery, a cool environment with live local music, next door to a weed shop (excuse me, marijuana dispensary) with a food truck parked outside for après ski munchies. Vail Brewing Co, VBS to locals in the know, has a satellite Vail Village Solaris beer tasting room overlooks the central Solaris ice rink where they serve beer flights, and offer live music with a ski slope and village view from the 2nd floor post. Let the kids go skating, or Bowling at Bol, while you sit by outside above with views of Vail’s Frontside and the village.
Shakedown Bar has live music and cheap drinks, beers & shots, in its underground location near the fountain. This places really shakes down late night with locals coming out for booze and bands.
The George is another locals’ joint, end of Bridge Street and below street level (ok, kinda divey and subterranean). George’s happy hour drinks and apps are under $5 and the vibe is super casual.
Classy and Sassy Après Ski In Vail
Elways at the Lodge at Vail has a great happy hour in the pedestrian Vail village, specialty drinks and small plates in honor of owner Denver Broncos revered QB John Elway #7. Tackle a craft cocktail, wine or small plate in this chic Colorado bar, or go for the delish Burger, at the original lodging property in Vail village (and one of our faves).
Pepi’s is plucked from the Alps, a classic Austrian pub and guesthouse, home to one of Vail’s original settlers Pepi Gramschammer. Pepi’s often has a musician playing après ski in the cozy pub. Its convivial and cozy. Pepi has passed, but the spirit lives on at this classic! Lunch or an aperitif on their patio is a treat on warm ski days too.
Almresi just steps from Gondola One by the fountain, by Joël’s, has fur blankets at their outdoor terrace, perfect to sit and watch the parade of skiers, and chi chi non-skiers donning fur coats and fluffy boots. Upstairs inside is a lovely alpine chalet setting and bar with traditional European fare, fondue, and beverages. Sister restaurant Aplenrose near the Solaris ice rink is also plucked from the Alps!
Remedy Bar at Four Seasons Vail is a chic second floor atrium bar – just the remedy if you want a craft cocktail, in a swank setting. The outdoor fire tables overlook the Four Seasons pool and spa, offering a fab view of Lindsey’s Run and Vail’s front side. Drinks are pricey but so nicey – it’s the Four Season at Vail – one of the top ski hotels in the West. Live music in the early eve is fantastic here too.
Frost, a chic bar in the Sebastian Hotel has happy hour après ski with live music and specials like Wine Wednesday & Tequila Thursday. Grab a nook and a cocktail, or a couch in the beautiful lobby, and unwind in this magical setting. The Chef may feature some delicious tapas style bites.
Slope Room at Vail’s Gravity Haus has creative food and an après menu with tasty small plates, in a sophisticated – ok bougie (pricey) yet cozy environ. The bartenders offer swift service and ski banter.
El Segundo overlooks the babbling Gore Creek, with a great taquiera vibe, and tasty margs too with a spacious deck and a sophisticated interior atmosphere – craft cocktails and small but sophisticated tacos complete your fiesta!
Fall Line Kitchen & Cocktails at Vail is a chic bistro, bar and restaurant with a commanding view of Bridge Street, across from Pepi’s. For lunch, après ski, or dinner, choose from oysters, mussels, lamb gyros to Wagyu beef. Great menu, gorgeous locale, and gregarious barkeeps.
Up The Creek serves farm to plate cuisine alongside beautiful babbling Game Creek, located below El Segundo near Vail’s Childrens Fountain. Sit outside or inside with a window view and enjoy craft cocktails. We love the Chicken tortilla soup and local trout, next time – Colorado elk or lamb, all artfully prepared.
Fitz at the Manor Vail has a great happy hour, beautiful deck with views of Ford Park, and a good vibe in the bar, or sit outside near the pool with a slope view at a fire table in the late day sun.
At Lions Head, Vail’s other ski in ski out village, El Sabor is a fantastic Mexican dining and drinking spot, overlooking the slopes and creek, with a cheerful happy hour. The burritos and margs are ridiculously good, and hearty!
Garfinkle’s has a big deck for sunny days, a super casual ski bar vibe with up close views of The Eagle Bahn gondi, and fave Vail trails Simba, Bwana and Born Free. The food is pleasantly affordable and plentiful, not fancy, in this pricey ski town.
Bart & Yeti’s is a local fave – nothing fancy – for wings, burgers and things, with a cozy bar, patio and casual dining room full of memorabilia.
Avon is Beaver Creek’s base village town, a bit less pricey than being up slope side at The Beav. Vin 48 is a chic bar with delicious food. Enjoy a craft cocktail with some shared plates of octopus, brussels, meatballs, tuna, arancini. The bar area has the best vibe, grab a barstool or hightop!
Agave in Avon has a happy certain days with taco and marg deals. this is also a late night music spot.
At Beaver Creek, C House and The Chop House both offer the perfect venue for après beverages and bites right at the base of the Centennial lift. Sip Champagne with oysters or beer and nachos – enjoy the view as skier descend their last turns on Beav’s beautifully groomed slopes… life is good – not exactly roughing it as Beaver Creek’s slogan says.
You can also ski over to Bachelor Gulch Ritz Carlton for après ski on their outdoor deck, often with live music, on inside the Great Room of the magnificent Timber Lodge that is the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch at Beaver Creek.
Edwards is East of Vail and Avon, with a very fun River Walk downtown, a pedestrian zone welcoming shoppers and foodies alike. Main Street Grille is in the heart of it all, the bar is usually brimming with locals – after work or après ski – always a good indicator. Main Street Grill has a fantastic affordable midweek happy hour when drinks, burgers, tacos and nachos are all well under $10. Next door is more upscale dining at Juniper.
Edwards also has the popular Drunken Goat for creative cuisine and great cocktails, plus a daily happy hour with drink and dining deals, often live music too! Also Gashouse has a fun vibe and great standard food.
In Minturn, The Minturn Saloon is a classic for chips & salsa, no fuss, no muss beers and après ski drinks in this old barn filled with ski memorabilia. End here after skiing the out-of-bounds Minturn Mile from Game Creek- don’t go alone, take a guide.
Kirby’s Cosmo BBQ serves amazing BBQ brisket, pulled pork, con bread, slaw and all the fixins of you are just hangry après ski. We love this place in Minturn! You made need to unbutton your ski pants!
Enjoy your ski trip to Vail, and your Après ski too! Do you have to ski in order to Après ski?
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