While Steamboat Springs is renowned for its great skiing, awe-inspiring landscapes, and a myriad of daytime adventures, the excitement doesn't fade when the sun sets. The city undergoes a captivating transformation, and its vibrant nightlife adds an extra layer of thrill to your visit.
Steamboat Springs boasts a lively city scene, providing the perfect setting for unwinding after a day spent outdoors. From exceptional dining experiences to lively pubs, pulsating live music venues, and fantastic après-ski spots, the options for nighttime entertainment are as diverse as the city's natural wonders.
However, with so many choices, deciding where to go can be a bit of a delightful challenge. Fear not! In this guide, we'll be your compass, bringing you the top nightlife hotspots in Steamboat Springs, CO.
Let's dive into the after-dark excitement that awaits in this enchanting Colorado city!
Storm Peak Brewing
Storm Peak Brewing is truly one of the top spots in Steamboat Springs for a fun (and complete) night out!
They offer engaging board games, live sports on TV, great music, and a fantastic atmosphere with locals and visitors. Their music nights feature amazing performances, and all the action is fueled by a large selection of beers crafted to suit every palate — from light and crispy golden ales to flavorful black ales. With several rotating taps and seasonal styles, each visit to this gem in Steamboat Springs is a unique experience.
Their large indoor space integrates with a lovely patio featuring wooden picnic tables and fairy lamps. From time to time, they make extra use of their space, showcasing artworks by local talent.
While Storm Peak Brewing doesn't serve food, they do provide a list of delivery companies, giving you the option to order food if you ever feel peckish. Also, there's a nearby pizza and burger joint where you can grab some bites to bring over to the brewery and enjoy them alongside their awesome beers.
Old Town Pub & Restaurant
Housed in a former hotel dating back to the early 20th century, Old Town Pub & Restaurant stands as a nightlife gem exuding vintage charm, serving up traditional American bites and drinks, and providing top-notch entertainment.
Their drink menu boasts a fantastic selection of beer, cider, and cocktails, all expertly served by knowledgeable and friendly bartenders. You can also indulge in delicious pub food, from mouthwatering chicken wings and crispy fried pickles to savory ribs, along with a diverse range of burgers and sandwiches, satisfying every craving.
One of their highlights is its local, homey, and welcoming ambiance. The pub's music nights, often featuring Colorado jam bands and headliners like Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, are becoming legendary, attracting locals and tourists alike. Regulars are always open for a chat, and they'll make you feel right at home.
Schmiggity's Dance Bar
The name says it all: Schmiggity's is the ultimate destination for dancing the night away in Steamboat. Hosting live music performances nearly every day of the week, it stands out as the go-to spot for combining fantastic drinks with stellar music. From piano bar and karaoke nights to diverse genres like country, funk, jam, reggae, Latin, and bluegrass throughout the week, Schmiggity's dancefloor promises endless fun and opportunities to meet the locals.
Their drink menu includes a great selection of beers and cocktails. You can warm things up by catching their Happy Hour, one of the best in town, with half-priced drinks from 6-8 pm. The bar's well-designed stage, top-notch sound system, and great lighting will definitely add to the experience.
Want to spruce up your dancing game? Special Dance Instruction Nights are featured on their calendar for those who want to learn country dance steps. If you're wondering what to do on a night out in Steamboat Springs, be sure to check their full calendar for upcoming events.
The Press
Situated in downtown Steamboat Springs within the historic Pilot Building, which housed The Steamboat Pilot, Northwest Colorado’s first newspaper from 1909 to 1999, The Press is a must-visit live music venue for a delightful and fun evening. Since its opening, The Press has hosted over 300 artists, ranging from amazing local bands to Grammy award-winning performers. The inviting ambiance, paired with superb music, is simply on-point. Every Tuesday, patrons can enjoy a free Trivia Night, adding more fun opportunities and the chance to win some exciting prizes. Check their events calendar for upcoming performances.
All the fun is complemented by wonderfully crafted cocktails and local beers. For food enthusiasts, arriving early to indulge in their delicious and affordable tacos will get them ready for a full night of singing, dancing, and drinking.
The Barley Tap and Tavern
Specializing in drinks proudly made in Colorado, The Barley Tap and Tavern is the perfect spot to savor a pint after a full day of skiing. Boasting an extensive selection of over 30 rotating beer taps and 8 wine taps, visitors can explore something new with each visit. The tavern also offers a diverse range of signature cocktails.
Much like the other venues featured on this blog, The Barley provides an opportunity to connect with locals while enjoying a friendly and festive ambiance.
Be sure to explore their exciting calendar of events, featuring everything from live music to comedy nights and tap takeovers. The latter, in particular, draws beer enthusiasts keen on sampling different and unique brews. You'll also find an array of fun games, including card games and Jenga, something that definitely adds to the experience.
Sunpie's Bistro
What about a taste of Louisiana in the Rocky Mountains? Sunpie's Bistro is a great way to start your evening with a fantastic Cajun-inspired comfort food menu and divine drinks.
This Louisiana-themed restaurant serves the famous hurricane cocktail, a New Orleans classic known for its refreshing sweet and tropical taste. Also, a large selection of other cocktails is available, alongside a wide variety of beers. Their quirky interior is warm and cozy, and their vast patio facing the Yampa River is the perfect stage for chilled late-night fun during summer.
Snow Bowl Steamboat
Beyond the lively bars and pubs you'll find in town, there are other nighttime activities in Steamboat Springs, such as a visit to Snow Bowl Steamboat — a true city institution. A superb entertainment venue drawing crowds since 1977, Snow Bowl underwent renovations in 2019 and now boasts a state-of-the-art bowling experience in Steamboat.
Their beautifully designed 12 bowling lanes are sure to make everyone's night out memorable. Pair this with a fantastic drink and food menu, along with weekly live music, and you've got a winning combination.
If you're traveling with Fido, Snow Bowl Steamboat is the perfect place for both of you. Not only is the place pet-friendly, but Snow Bowl also hosts a Dog Bowl every Sunday, featuring kiddie pools, chew toys, adoption events, and more. All of this is designed for you and your furry companion to have a blast time together. Also, can you imagine the photo ops?
What are the best après-ski spots in Steamboat Springs, CO?
Visiting Steamboat Springs for a ski escapade? You're in for some fun! As the sun sets over the snow-covered landscape, the après-ski experience takes center stage, inviting both locals and visitors to unwind and celebrate a day well spent on the slopes.
Whether you're seeking cozy fireside chats with a hot drink in hand, live music echoing through mountain taverns, or a taste of local craft brews, Steamboat Springs surely has the perfect après-ski setting for you. Every season, new places pop up, but here's a list of our favorites so far:
- Slopeside Grill: right in Ski Time Square, you can slide right into this one from the slopes. With their beer, cocktail, and wine list combined with homemade pizzas and burgers, you're sure to recharge your energies.
- TBar: right below the base of the Thunderhead lift, is called the "five-star dive bar." Need we say more?
- Los Locos: sometimes skiing just calls for some Mexican food, doesn't it? This place makes the best tacos, nachos, and margaritas. The best of both worlds right there.
- Truffle Pig: this hip après-ski spot offers an extensive list of classic and creative cocktails and a wine list. The overall vibe is definitely a bit more upscale and with a hint of swankiness.
Summer festivals and fun in Steamboat Springs, CO
Besides music venues, bars, pubs, and superb restaurants, every summer Steamboat Springs hosts the Free Concert Series featuring nationally recognized artists right in the heart of the city. The warm evening in Steamboat will be filled with music ranging from pop-rock to reggae and from bluegrass and blues to funk. Additionally, the Pro Rodeo Series also happens every summer bringing more night entertainment for visitors and locals.
For more on local festivals and events, check out our full list per season here.
Top Nightlife Hotspots in Steamboat Springs, CO
As you can see by now, Steamboat Springs is great all year round, both during the day and at night. Whenever you're in town, make sure to check a nightlife guide to Steamboat Springs, so you're always in the know on the hottest places to hit on a night out.
While in town, why not stay in style with the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in one of the most iconic rental properties and complexes Steamboat Springs has to offer?
Retreatia offers luxury properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodgings, some pet-friendly. Staying in one of our properties, we guarantee you'll have nothing less than a 5-star experience, something that will definitely enhance your Steamboat Springs vacation.