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Despite being home to the X Games for 13 years, Aspen doesn't boast the kind of grotty, broke-down dive bars that you'll find in places like Crested Butte or Telluride. Never you mind. There are still plenty of Aspen après joints and late night haunts that cater to the local/lift-op crowd, and they offer killer drink and food specials. We've rounded up the best and created a handy map, just for you.
-By Laurel Miller · Aspen X Games Coverage [Curbed Ski]
· Eater Ski [Curbed Ski]
Purists should head downvalley to the former hang of the late Hunter S. Thompson for $4 mugs of draft beer, $6 pints of Guinness, and $3.50 bottles of the cheap stuff (Bud, Coors, et al), and $16 pitchers of Colorado craft brews. The $8.50 fresh-squeezed lime Margaritas made w/ Herradura Blanca aren’t served by the pitcher because they’ll floor you. Should you not find enough distraction in the cast of characters at the bar, just look at the walls. Trust us.
When bartenders and other food service employees hang at a place post-shift, you know it’s got something going for it- and it’s usually not the atmosphere or the food. So it is with this Snowmass Chinese restaurant. Hit the bar, and you likely won’t know what hit you.
This cavernous, sporty basement bar has bubble hockey, darts, and video games (Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis): basically, a geeky boy’s paradise. Enjoy the strong cocktails, Cajun bar snacks, and X Games specials that include food service until 2am, $3 Coors Light Drafts, and $4 shots. Live music shall also prevail all weekend. Sports aside, you’re guaranteed to meet some entertaining local folk.
Besides the delicious pies (also sold by the exceedingly generous slice), there’s cheap beer on tap (according to the menu, beer, $4, “good beer,” $5), and $6 house wine. Win-win.
One of Aspen’s longest-running, most classic restaurant bars, located in a historic building on the Hyman Street Mall. But the big selling point for X Gamers and locals alike are the $2 PBR pints (3-6pm and 10pm-12am) and $4 well shots. Need another reason? $2 Jell-O shooters. Careful.
Extensive list of $5 microbrews, $3.50 Miller High Life, and $4 Aspen IPA, with cocktails starting at $7. Menu packed with carby fare, from baked potato soup to pizzas aplenty. Old school video games. What more do you need to know?
This classic ski town joint was saved from closure this past fall and is sweet- all dark beams, wood, and cozy interior. Grab a $4 shot-and-a-beer, free popcorn, and go to their Facebook page to enter the X Games contest to win tix to Matt & Kim and Axwell. Tip: Burger (considered by many the best in town) and a beer are just $10 at the bar.
This popular basement après ski joint offers affordable, filling fare in the form of burgers, fried stuff, tacos, and “rolladillas.” More important, there are $3 draft PBR’s (the King of Ski Town Beers), and Happy Hour is every hour, 11am-9pm.
With locations in Aspen and Snowmass, this working-class pub is a popular Happy Hour (4-6pm) hang for its .40-cent wings, $1.25 Bud drafts, and $7.25 Bud pitchers. Beware certain surly bartenders, but enjoy the HD TVs’ and pint-glass-only cocktail policy.
Purists should head downvalley to the former hang of the late Hunter S. Thompson for $4 mugs of draft beer, $6 pints of Guinness, and $3.50 bottles of the cheap stuff (Bud, Coors, et al), and $16 pitchers of Colorado craft brews. The $8.50 fresh-squeezed lime Margaritas made w/ Herradura Blanca aren’t served by the pitcher because they’ll floor you. Should you not find enough distraction in the cast of characters at the bar, just look at the walls. Trust us.
When bartenders and other food service employees hang at a place post-shift, you know it’s got something going for it- and it’s usually not the atmosphere or the food. So it is with this Snowmass Chinese restaurant. Hit the bar, and you likely won’t know what hit you.
This cavernous, sporty basement bar has bubble hockey, darts, and video games (Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis): basically, a geeky boy’s paradise. Enjoy the strong cocktails, Cajun bar snacks, and X Games specials that include food service until 2am, $3 Coors Light Drafts, and $4 shots. Live music shall also prevail all weekend. Sports aside, you’re guaranteed to meet some entertaining local folk.
Besides the delicious pies (also sold by the exceedingly generous slice), there’s cheap beer on tap (according to the menu, beer, $4, “good beer,” $5), and $6 house wine. Win-win.
One of Aspen’s longest-running, most classic restaurant bars, located in a historic building on the Hyman Street Mall. But the big selling point for X Gamers and locals alike are the $2 PBR pints (3-6pm and 10pm-12am) and $4 well shots. Need another reason? $2 Jell-O shooters. Careful.
Extensive list of $5 microbrews, $3.50 Miller High Life, and $4 Aspen IPA, with cocktails starting at $7. Menu packed with carby fare, from baked potato soup to pizzas aplenty. Old school video games. What more do you need to know?
This classic ski town joint was saved from closure this past fall and is sweet- all dark beams, wood, and cozy interior. Grab a $4 shot-and-a-beer, free popcorn, and go to their Facebook page to enter the X Games contest to win tix to Matt & Kim and Axwell. Tip: Burger (considered by many the best in town) and a beer are just $10 at the bar.
This popular basement après ski joint offers affordable, filling fare in the form of burgers, fried stuff, tacos, and “rolladillas.” More important, there are $3 draft PBR’s (the King of Ski Town Beers), and Happy Hour is every hour, 11am-9pm.
With locations in Aspen and Snowmass, this working-class pub is a popular Happy Hour (4-6pm) hang for its .40-cent wings, $1.25 Bud drafts, and $7.25 Bud pitchers. Beware certain surly bartenders, but enjoy the HD TVs’ and pint-glass-only cocktail policy.