Entertainment in Central Mountain Region
-
A
Kava Cafe
A hole-in-the-wall and historic log-cabin cafe, the kind of place in which ragged ass miners may have procured dry goods back in the day. These days they make sandwiches and coffee but are notable for their three specialties: fresh-squeezed lemonade, made to order miniature donuts and kava. The first two are self-explanatory.
Kava, on the other hand, is a Polynesian root imported from Vanuatu and used ceremonially for centuries among the Polynesian people. Funky, earthy and served to be sipped at room temperature it offers a euphoric body buzz. Nothing too intense, but absolutely noticeable. Each cup is two servings. Pair it with a riverside hot tub. Niceness!
reviewed
-
B
Bōl
Set in the striking, new Solaris condo complex, there has never ever been a sleeker more upscale bowling alley. Ever! This is damn near space age and at research time was by far the dopest hang in Vail.
With high energy, progressive rock pumping, balls decorated like billiard balls (finger size printed large and central), big-screen TVs strobing at the end of the lanes, and a sleek bar in the neon lobby, Vail's young and pretty hang here. And it serves food too. Think pork buns with ponzu sauce, honey-glazed ribs, balsamic-tossed arugula and pan-roasted baby artichokes.
reviewed
-
C
Motherloaded Tavern
The choice dive in Breckenridge isn't all that divey. Sure it's a bare bones tavern, but it also attracts the local hipsters and anyone else who dreams of a tastier, well-crafted brand of comfort food best paired with something buzz-inducing: black bean burgers, grilled PB&Js, homemade mac-and-cheese, meatloaf paninis and a menu of martinis, shooters and hot, steaming boozey sips.
Surprisingly, there are no microbrews on tap so it'll have to be a Pabst, Hank. There's live music every Friday and Saturday night, and Trivia Night draws draws a crowd on Tuesday.
reviewed
-
D
Woody Creek Tavern
- Aspen, USA
- Entertainment › Pub
Enjoying a 100% agave tequila and fresh-lime margarita at the late, great gonzo journalist Hunter S Thompson's favorite watering hole is well worth the 8-mile trek from Aspen. Here since 1980, the walls at this rustic funky tavern, a local haunt for decades now, are plastered with newspaper clippings and paraphernalia (mostly dedicated to Thompson).
The menu features organic salads, low-fat but still juicy burgers, popular Mexican food including some quality guacamole, and plenty of alcohol. Eleven gallons of margaritas a day can't be wrong.
reviewed
-
E
Belly Up
Long the top nightspot in Aspen, Belly Up has built and maintained its street cred by bringing in the best live acts to the Aspen people. That means everything from local bluegrass bands to hip-hop globalist K'NAAN, to Chrissy Hynde's brilliant new band, to LCD Soundsystem DJ sets and intimate, up-close throwdowns with all-timers such as Jane's Addiction (although, those ain't cheap).
No matter who you see, the room will be intimate and alive with great sound. Easily the best venue this side of Denver.
reviewed
-
F
J-Bar
- Aspen, USA
- Entertainment › Bar
Once Aspen's premier saloon, back when the word 'saloon' had its own unique meaning, this bar was built into the Hotel Jerome in 1889 and remains full of historic charm and packed with everyone from local shopkeepers to Hollywood stars. Order the signature cocktail, the Aspen Crud, if you're in the mood for something sweet. It's a delicious blend of bourbon and ice cream.
The more tart J-Rita is equally delicious. The menu features gourmet American pub fare that's nearly as tasty as the drinks.
reviewed
-
G
Aspen Brewing Co
Tibetan prayer flags fly from the rafters, two flat-screen TVs strobe ballgames, the shelves are stuffed with board games, and reggae sings from the hi-fi at this groovy streamside microbrewery.
Six flavors are brewed directly behind the bar. Literally. You can get a pint for just $2.75, and a flight for $7 if you want to sample them all, from the flavorful blonde to the peachy Independence Pass Ale (its IPA signature), the mellower Conundrum Red Ale and the chocolatey Pyramid Peak Porter.
reviewed
-
H
Theatre Aspen
A nonprofit theater and drama school that hosts classes, workshops and periodic productions (mostly in the summer and early autumn) from its gorgeous, tented complex in the heart of Rio Grande Park. Matinees include bonus views of the nearby mountains, evening productions play beneath a starry sky. Check website for details of upcoming shows and see one if you can.
Expect to see productions such as Tony-award-winning romantic comedies and deliciously subversive musicals.
reviewed
-
I
Wheeler Opera House
Built in 1887, one of Aspen's oldest and finest examples of Victorian architecture has been a working theater since it first opened – with the exception of the 30 or so years things were interrupted by fire, depression and reconstruction. The point is, this place is historic and was definitely part of Aspen's postwar revival. It still presents opera, films, concerts and musicals.
During summer the Aspen Music Festival holds concerts here.
reviewed
-
J
Hunter Bar
- Aspen, USA
- Entertainment › Bar
A brickhouse basement bar with flat-screens strobing surf and snowboard vids sharing wall space with quirky modern art canvases. Turntable decks are set up at all times, serving a roster of rotating and house DJs. It has salsa and karaoke nights, nice outdoor and patio seating and the distinct tinge of last night's beer around the bar the next morning. But that's a good thing. A basement bar should feel lived in.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Benedict Music Tent
A beautiful bedouin-style peaked tent set in a leafy glen on the Aspen Meadows Resort property, which feels more like a public park. It's surrounded by aspens on the outside, where there's ample lawn space for freebie listeners - an Aspen Music Festival tradition. Inside the tent is a deep amphiteater and stage backed by a cedar shell projecting tunes through the patrons and out onto the Listening Lawn.
reviewed
-
L
Breckenridge Brewery
With seven malty aromatic brews being cooked up in the kettles directly behind the bar, you know what this is all about. When we visited the flavors included an agave wheat, a vanilla porter and an IPA. Pub grub is served all day and late into the night, but you're here for beer, no?
They have four other Colorado locations, including three in Denver, but this is where their heart is.
reviewed
-
M
Regal
- Aspen, USA
- Entertainment › Bar
A basement bar and lounge infused with the sound of house and hip-hop. The interior is accented by tactile walls plastered in waves or lined with suede or faux fur, along with spotlit snowscape photos adorning walls of exposed brick. The hipster crowd arrives late; things don't really get rolling until 11pm, but eventually madness (and dancing) will ensue most nights.
reviewed
-
N
Garfinkels
- Vail, USA
- Entertainment › Pub
In Lionshead, this wooden-lodge-style pub has a wide deck overlooking Vail Mountain. There's a pool table, a killer circle bar with Colorado Native on tap and a dozen flat-screens showing all the sports you could want. Saturday night karaoke starts at 9pm, and before you perform, check out the wall of fame. Frank Sinatra has tossed a couple back here.
reviewed
-
O
Tap Room
A favorite stop on the Vail bar-hopping circuit, this laid-back sports bar shows ballgames all day and has a giant selection of beers and day-long drink specials. The kitchen churns out middling pub grub, but the chipped-wood bar is a fine place to sip a Native Z draft. Plus, they have views of the mountain from the back patio. Wifi too.
reviewed
-
P
Three20South
Breckenridge's only 'true' nightclub brings live music to the people most nights. Their taste is wide and deep, ranging from blue grass to jazz to funk to rock 'n' roll. It's mostly indie acts here, but some bigger names, like Citizen Cope and Particle, do drift in from time to time. Check the website for upcoming showtimes and prices.
reviewed
-
Q
Eric's Bar
- Aspen, USA
- Entertainment › Bar
One of three bars in the Su Casa complex, all of which are owned by one savvy fellow. This one is by far the coolest. It's a brick-walled lounge with DJs on Thursday nights when the midnight freaks dance like mad. If the crowd gets too tight, head over to the billiard hall or upstairs to the cigar lounge.
reviewed
-
R
Downstairs at Eric's
Downstairs at Eric's is a Breckenridge institution. Locals flock to this electric basement joint, with a games room full of vintage pinball machines, for the pitchers, juicy burgers and delicious mashed potatos (mains from $6). There are more than 120 beers, including several microbrews, to choose from.
reviewed
-
S
The Club
It bills itself as 'The World's Greatest Ski Bar,' and while we wouldn't go that far, this is the place to catch Steve Meyer's Après-ski show, which is best paired with tequila shots. The club hosts live music seven nights a week in high season and offers good-value drink specials.
reviewed
-
T
Cecilia's
Ski bums love to rag on Cecilia's, but that doesn't stop them from flocking to this long-established party spot nightly. There's a large dancefloor with mostly DJ-spun grooves (and occasional live acts), lots of martini choices, pool tables and even a corner couch for some quiet kissing.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Samana Lounge
A basement nightclub in central Vail with frequent live music. It's sax-driven funk to classic-rock cover bands, as well as resident and visiting DJs. The calendar gets especially packed in summer and winter, but they bring live tunes to the Vail people in mud season too.
reviewed
-
V
Victoria's Espresso & Wine Bar
It has baked goods and wine, full breakfasts (those ricotta pancakes look delish) and espresso, but the must-try here is the vanilla latte. Made with housemade syrup crafted from real vanilla bark, it isn't too overly sweet – just immediately and completely addictive.
reviewed
-
W
Backstage Theater
This is a vibrant, long-running theatre bringing edgy and entertaining fare to the people, staging new and classic shows. They've produced over 200 plays over the years and offer acting workshops too. Take a peek at the on-line calendar to see what's on.
reviewed
-
X
Green Fairy Bar
A basement bar tucked into the Columbine Square building. It's a simple spot with Spanish tile floors, wood tables and dark-wood bar and they pour absinthe, the once forbidden aperitif. Their labels include St George, Leopold Brothers and Kubler.
reviewed
-
Y
Isis Theatre
The only movie house in Aspen proper plays first-run Hollywood fare, but thankfully spices up the blockbusters with an ocassional pinch of art-house and foreign cinema. This is Aspen, after all. But eat and come early as there are no late shows.
reviewed
