Après-ski is a French phrase that translates literally to “after-ski.” This is often used to describe the social activities that skiers typically engage in after finishing a day on the mountain, whether skiing or snowboarding. These activities often involve drinks, food, and plenty of good friends! When hitting the slopes in Steamboat, here are the best “after-ski” hotspots around town to warm up with a few drinks and some good food. Whatever après-ski means to you, make sure you’re making the most of what Steamboat Springs has to offer!
T Bar at Steamboat
Where? 2045 Ski Time Square Drive
T Bar is a renowned indoor/outdoor après-ski destination for drinking and American eats in Steamboat. The bar is celebrating its 16th season as the leader on the scene, so they know a thing or two about relaxing and partying it up after a long day shredding the powder. Food is served from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM and drinks start at 11:00 AM until the last call at 5:00 PM. Hailed as a “5 Star Dive Bar,” T Bar is home to creative drinks, plentiful beer, tasty wine, and a menu designed to impress. The laid-back environment welcomes anyone and everyone to get their après-ski on with a touch of local style. Whether you’re coming in from the resort or the wilderness of the backcountry, you’ll find a community waiting on you at T Bar and plenty of good vibes to go around. The bar is situated off BC Ski-Way at Mount Werner, making it easier and ever to crack open a beer just a short jaunt from the base. Ski directly to the bar or park in the private lot — whichever is easiest!
Los Locos
Where? 1875 Ski Time Square Drive
This infamous Steamboat Mexican restaurant is the perfect spot to imbibe and unwind after a long day on the slopes. The eatery features an upbeat vibe in an industrial setting, with delicious menu items such as chips and salsa and an order of the “Nachoooooos” that are just calling your name after a cold winter day. Los Tacos has plenty of taco options, naturally, such as the grilled chicken, the mahi, the pastor, the surf & turf, and the carnitas. You can also order burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and decadent desserts like the Mexican chocolate brownie sundae. If your idea of après-ski is more in line with an adult beverage or two (or three), then visit the cocktail portion of the menu or grab a draft cerveza. Hot cocktails sure to warm you up include the tequila toddy or the Mexican coffee with Irish cream, hot chocolate, local coffee, and añejo tequila. Order a round of the seasonal margs for the table or keep things sober with a Mexican soda or a nonalcoholic mocktail!
Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails
Where? 127 11th Street
Relax and unwind at Steamboat’s favorite small plates restaurant, perfect for sharing with your friends, family, and newfound mountain buddies. The kitchen is open daily and happy hour occurs from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, just in time for après-ski festivities! Enjoy $9 bites such as fried chicken, brisket potatoes, pimento cheese, and shoestring fries, or dive into a plate of $5 tacos or 3 for $12! Sip on a Storm Peak IPA or choose any cocktail from the list for $10. Depending on the day, you may even be able to select a half-price straight pour — such as Tequila Thursday! Pair your alcohol with something hearty, such as the stuffed ribeye or the duck duo. Order a sampling of the small plates to pass around and share. After all, the best memories (after those made on the slopes, of course) are made around the table with your loved ones.
Ore House at The Pine Grove
Where? 1465 Pine Grove Road
Sometimes, nothing will quite hit the spot like a steak. When that sentiment strikes, head over to Ore House at The Pine Grove for your après-ski destination. The menu serves certified Angus beef and mouth watering starters like the game sausage plate, the potato skins, or the crispy calamari with a house-made chipotle remoulade. Splurge on surf & turf and dig into top sirloin and scallops or prime rib and a lobster tail. Cocktails at Ore House include the Pear Martini with Breckenridge Pear Vodka, St. Germain, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup and the Mountain Margarita with 400 Rabbits Mezcal, green chartreuse, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, organic lime juice and agave nectar. You can also keep things classy with a couple of glasses of Sauvignon Blanc or a Tempranillo out of Spain.
Back Door Grill
Where? 825 Oak Street
This casual and funky eatery might be just up your alley for an après-ski experience you won’t soon forget. Dig into creative burgers, classic beers, and hand-cut fries for a meal that’s guaranteed to hit the spot each and every time. You’ll find four rotating taps, as well as a Storm Peak rotator and a small offering of white and red wines on the menu. Bottled and canned beer includes Michelob Ultra, Coors, Bud, Corona, Stella Artois, Blue Moon, Fat Tire, Guinness Stout, Budweiser, and many more. If you’re feeling a cocktail instead, you’re in luck because Back Door Grill has a solid offering — The Mega-Mary, Colorado Sour, Espresso Yourself, Blackberry Tom Collins, Pina Colada, and frozen margs that go down smooth. You can even order a dirty milkshake, such as the Nobody Lay a Finger with Stoli Vanilla and butterscotch schnapps.
The Range Food & Drink Hall
Where? 2305 Mount Werner Circle
The Range Food & Drink Hall is adjacent to Skeeter’s Ice Rink, featuring stunning views of the resort. This is a solid après-ski lounge area, complete with indoor/outdoor seating and a bar on each of the two levels — as well as a wide range of cuisine options so everyone can satisfy their palate. You can make reservations for the upper level but the lower level is first-come, first-served. After a long afternoon on the slopes, dig into a pizza from Pioneer Pie or warm up with a bowl of ramen from Sunshine Bowl. The food and drink hall also has street-style tacos from Twister Tacos, fresh salads, and sandwiches from Why Not, and more selections that will leave you trying to decide what you’re craving the most! Pair your meal with a cold beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail while you relax, unwind, and recount your adventures to anyone who will listen.
Storm Peak Brewing Company
Where? 1885 Elk River Road
Storm Peak Brewing brews a wide range of beer styles in their 20-barrel brew house, so you can count on your favorites coming back as well as something new to sample each time you visit. Nothing quite says après-ski in Colorado quite like hanging out at the local brewery, so get the true Steamboat experience and add Storm Peak to your post-ski itinerary. In fact, there are two locations in Steamboat on both sides of town — making this a convenient option for anyone who appreciates good beer. On the west side, you can order food from neighboring How Ya Doin’ Pizza N’ Eats and Moe’s BBQ. At the base of the resort, the Bus Stop Taproom shares its space with Antonio’s Pizza, and you can also order from Après Burger Bistro. Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the Brewery & Taproom on the west side but not at the Bus Stop due to the pizza kitchen. Well-behaved kids are permitted as well, so bring the whole family out for an après-ski occasion.
Truffle Pig
Where? 2250 Apres Ski Way
Happy Hour at Truffle Pig is just in time for après-ski shenanigans. Scheduled from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, swing by for beer specials, spirit specials, and cocktail specials like $6 house bloody Marys and $12 Weller Special Reserve Manhattans. All wines by the glass are 50% off the list price, excluding the Coravin selections. Après-ski bites on the menu include Truffle Pig fries, shrimp cocktail, bacon-wrapped dates, tomato bisque, and the Apres-Ski “Fat Pig” Special which consists of a pulled pork sandwich and a Fat Tire draught beer. Splurge on the charcuterie board for the table, with assorted meats and cheeses, sour cherry jam, dried fruits, almonds, house mustard, cornichons, and a crispy baguette. Additional beverages on the craft cocktail menu include the Smoak’d Old Fashioned, the Battle of the Agaves, the Lavender Flip, and the Sazerac. Want something hot? You can’t go wrong with the Hot Buttered Miso Rum or the Starry Nite with 120-proof bourbon and homemade wassail.
Old Town Pub & Restaurant
Where? 600 Lincoln Avenue
Steamboat’s Old Town Pub is situated in a historic building at 6th and Lincoln that’s been home to some of the town’s most groundbreaking businesses over the years, such as the Albany Hotel, the town’s first hospital, and several general stores and post offices. Patrons can also find live music events scheduled at the pub, which makes for a lively atmosphere perfect for après-ski fun. The menu features a range of classics, such as French onion soup, nachos, cheese curds, and chicken tenders. You’ll also find salads, sandwiches, burgers, and specialties like the prime rib on Tuesdays and Saturdays or the OTP Bowl with fried chicken bites, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet corn, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and green onion. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the Monstrous Ice Cream Cake or the Big Ol’ Brownie with ice cream.
The Press
Where? 1009 Lincoln Avenue
The Press is a casual Steamboat bar offering craft beers, cocktails, and regular live music events. If you’re ready to relax and unwind as your ski trip is coming to an end, there’s no better way than with a round of adult beverages and a talented artist playing live on stage. Tickets to shows at The Press are often economical, priced around $10-$15 with a minimum of $5 per night. The bar is located in the historic Pilot Building in downtown Steamboat Springs, which was home to Northwest Colorado’s first newspaper — The Steamboat Pilot. The venue is 21 and up and there are light chips and nuts to snack on. Patrons can purchase food from elsewhere and bring it to the venue, with Brooklyn’s Pizzeria and Laura’s Meatbar directly next door.
Schmiggity’s Live Music & Dance Bar
Where? 821 Lincoln Avenue
Schmiggity’s is located on Main Street in Downtown Steamboat Springs. If your idea of après-ski fun is all about dancing and great music, Schmiggity’s is your one-stop shop! Boasting Steamboat’s best sound, great service, and amazing drinks — you can really have it all. The bar is open daily at 8:00 PM and you can keep tabs on the music calendar for upcoming acts and performances. All events are ages 21 and up. When there’s no live music, patrons can enjoy free or low-cost activities like Karaoke Night and Two Step Tuesdays. Other events hosted at Schmiggity’s include a stand-up comedy series, drag shows, and Open Mic Mondays.
Taco Cabo
Where? 729 Yampa Street
Taco Cabo is a local staple for good reason. Settle in for your après-ski hangout with authentic fresh Mexican tacos, burritos, tortas, bowls, and freshly baked bread — as well as buttermilk biscuits and empanadas! Of course, you’ll want to sample a margarita or two while you’re there. Taco Cabo offers skiers a laid-back and playful vibe. The joint is open from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM daily and happy hour is from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Taco Cabo’s menu features elixirs such as Moscow Mules, Blackberry Mojitos, Tito’s Screwdrivers, and plenty of tequila to keep you busy for a while.
Steamboat Springs Knows a Thing or Two About Après-Ski!
Whether you ski every winter in Steamboat Springs or this is your first time, you’ll quickly learn that the mountain town is dedicated to après-ski culture. The fun doesn’t end once you leave the slopes — it’s only just beginning! From sophisticated cuisines to casual eats and laid-back digs, the town has a broad range of options suitable for every skier. However you après-ski, Steamboat has you covered!