Denver
The cheery sensibility of this excellent retro-style lounge is demonstrated in the wall of clocks frozen at 5pm and waggish menu of cocktails (‘the…
Must-see nightlife in The Rocky Mountains
Montana
Whitefish’s homegrown microroaster runs this always-busy cafe and gift shop in the old Skyles building in the center of town. The organic, fair-trade…
Glacier National Park
The West Glacier nighttime hangout spot for rafting guides and park employees (the pickings are decidedly slim) is this basic bar attached to the West…
Colorado Springs
Although it's a bit out of the way in southern Colorado Springs, this brewery – which in 2013 spearheaded a community market center in the shuttered…
Jackson
You know those places that are so outrageously overdone you can't help but have fun? This is Jackson's version. Pull on your boots and saddle up at the…
Boulder
Hidden in the basement of Hotel Boulderado, License No 1 is a throwback to Prohibition times. It's a maze of dimly lit rooms, unfinished stone walls, deep…
Boise
Bardenay was the USA's very first 'distillery-pub,' and remains a one-of-a-kind watering hole. Located on Basque Block, it makes rum in-house and has…
Breckenridge
Billed as the world's highest distillery, this place is worth visiting for a tour (half-hourly, 11am to 5:30pm) and 'tastings for tips' – their specialty…
Central Colorado
The place to go for your morning cappuccino and raspberry scone. This great community cafe is run by Phillip and Dawn out of a former Volkswagen repair…
Denver
There’s nothing like ordering a stiff drink inside a cathedral built in 1865. Yes, this club, which draws a young and diverse crowd, is in a former house…
Durango
This favorite spot for live music and libations brings a hint of big city chic to Durango while still keeping close to its mountain roots. The menu is…
Southwest Colorado
The unadorned warehouse demonstrates a single-minded focus on beer making. On nice days the patio fills up with families eating brats and paninis while…
Boulder
Sure, the ambience might be diminished by the glow of two-dozen laptops, but the coffee is good (served in pint glasses too!) and locally roasted. The…
Steamboat Springs
This resto-pub has great live music acts Friday and Saturday nights and a small dining room that's framed by timbers. The place feels open and inviting,…
Bozeman & Gallatin Valley
This well-run, friendly brewpub with central horseshoe bar draws a loyal combination of beer hounds and local MSU students. The Lee Metcalfe Pale Ale is a…
Durango
A rowdy corner of the historic Strater Hotel, this elegant old-time bar has waitresses flashing Victorian-era fishnets and live ragtime that packs out-of…
Montana
The interior here isn't much to look at (is that a cougar skin on the wall?!), but the real draw is the great sundeck overlooking the Yellowstone River…
Breckenridge
Set in an industrial complex at the north end of Airport Road, the Broken Compass is generally regarded as the best brewery in Breckenridge. Fill up with…
Boulder
This popular gastropub specializes in European brews and German and central European eats (think lots of brats and pretzels). Happy patrons drink steins…
Montana
Each of Casey's three floors has a different identity. The first is a restaurant with an upscale menu; the second is a large performance space with live…
Montana
Try the excellent beer at this local brewery which serves as the de facto gathering place for locals to share post-hike or ride kudos and gossip. There's…
Wyoming
With superlative brews, Coal Creek Coffee is everything you want in a coffeehouse: modern and stylish, even borderline hipster – but not in a bad way…
Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse
Wyoming
Beloved meeting place for students and laptop-toting creatives, Night Heron does fine coffee, a small menu focused on paninis, and ceiling-to-floor…
Southeast Colorado
Welcome to one of Colorado’s smallest breweries. It produces only 350 barrels of beer from its relatively nondescript HQ just a block off the main drag…
Wyoming
This big, wooden, barn-like watering hole is the place where local and visiting adventurers go to drink microbrews and share notes about the day's 'sick…
Montana
The hipsters have taken over the biker bar! Not to be confused with the brewery of the same name down the street, this classic saloon sees a generally…
Denver
Dance floors get packed at Milk, where goth rules and industrial and '80s tie for second. Plenty of pleather booths give you a place to catch your breath…
Central Colorado
There aren't many breweries up above 10,000 feet, which makes Periodic something of an anomaly. Hoppy and dark beers predominate, but there is also cider…
Northern Colorado
Free wi-fi and comfortable seats make this an ideal spot near downtown to take a load off, caffeinate and catch up on email. The baked goods hit the mark…
Aspen
With five signature flavors and a sun-soaked balcony facing the mountain, this is definitely the place to unwind after a hard day's play. Brews range from…
Denver
This neighborhood lounge-bar is totally laid back with couches and cozy chairs, a couple of booths, a pool table and dartboards. There's a full bar…
Durango
The only distillery in town, this fun local shop does guided tours (with advanced reservations) and serves up a spectacularly smooth Soiled Doves vodka, a…
Victoria’s Espresso & Wine Bar
Aspen
Victoria's serves up delish pastries, wine by the glass, full breakfasts and tempting curries and cheese plates for afternoon grazing, but the must-try…
Colorado Springs
In an old exposed warehouse building saved from the wrecking ball in 1993, this local brewery serves a variety of pints in a casual atmosphere with wood…
Denver
Though it attracts an amiable crowd of gay male professionals after work, it becomes Denver’s premiere pick-up bear scene on weekends. Three levels and…
Bozeman Taproom & Fill Station
Bozeman & Gallatin Valley
One of Bozeman's coolest places to grab a pint and fill a growler has an open-air rooftop beer garden. Its 44 draft brews served from 75 taps can be…
Yellowstone National Park
For post-geyser drinks, the Bear Pit Lounge offers cocktails, microbrews and pub food. The huckleberry margarita is a must-try. Stop in to admire the…
Central Colorado
Sit by the crackling fireplace and knock back margaritas with everyone else who came down the Minturn Mile at this historic après-ski hangout. It posts…
Montana
This long, narrow, pretty martini bar was opened by a lawyer who won a (hard-to-get) liquor license in a state lottery and named the place after his dad,…
Idaho
Part of the growing microdistillery movement, Warfield isn't in a hurry to rush their whiskey to bottle, but if their beer and vodka are any indications…
