USA Aspen Ski Holidays

Après Ski in Aspen Snowmass

There is no excuse for an early night in Aspen Snowmass! From friendly local bars to elegant restaurants and clubs, Aspen has a venue to suit everyone’s taste and budget. With over a hundred bars to choose from, there’s no shortage of options, and if a night on the dance floor, or in the billiard hall is more to your taste, there’s a place for you!

Here are some of our recommendations:

Aspen Billiards:

An upscale billiard hall with eight tables, Aspen Billiards serves a light menu and offers a full bar, including plenty of microbrews and some great Scotch. Wheelchair accessible. Smoke free. Located at 315 E. Hyman, 970-920-6706.

39 Degrees at Sky Hotel:

A premier après ski location in Aspen Snowmass with an awe-inspiring mountain backdrop, 39 Degrees enjoys a chic atmosphere and a tantalizing menu with tempting appetizers and local drinks. Catch major sporting events on the large screen TVs or snuggle down around the cosy fireplace! Summer poolside dining, too! Located at 709 E.Durant, 970-925-6760

Belly Up, Aspen:

The place to go for live music in Aspen! Musical talent from around the globe abounds-acts have included Snoop Dogg, Joe Cocker, Wyclif Jean, Ice Cube, Ben Harper, B.B. King, Seal, and countless other! Belly Up offers two full bars for guests’ enjoyment and a good selection of bar food. 970-544-9800 www.bellyupaspen.com

The Cigar Bar:

A mellow bar in which to relax and enjoy a fine cigar with your drink. A full bar is available, as well as flat screen TVs and comfortable sofas to lounge on. Open 8pm-2am. Wheelchair accessible. Located at 315 E. Hyman, 970-920-4244

Double Dog Pub:

Love dogs? For a pub with a difference, check out the Double Dog for a friendly welcome and lively atmosphere. Serving a variety of bar food favourites such as fish and chips and Guinness stew washed down with an option of twelve great beers on tap plus microbrews, Guinness and local beers. Live bluegrass and Celtic music on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There’s a warming fireplace and HD TVs showing sports events, and, for the more energetic, table top games. Open from 11am during football season. The restaurant and bar are linked to the Steak Pit via the kitchen.
970-925-345 Located at 305 East Hopkins www.doubledogpub.com

The J-Bar:

This romantic long-time Aspen favourite dates back to 1889! Featured on the National Register of Historic Places. Open 11.30am-2.00am. Menu available til midnight. At the Hotel Jerome, 330 E. Main, 970-920-1000.

Jimmy’s, An American Restaurant and Bar:

Bustling and classy, Jimmy’s features live Blues/Swing music every Friday night by Big Daddy Lee and the King Bees starting at 10.30pm. Tango/Salsa plus other Latin-style dancing on Saturday nights from 10.30pm. Offering a comprehensive dinner menu with everything from mac and cheese to Rocky Mountain trout, accompanied by 80 choices of tequilas! Located at 205 S. Mill St. Upstairs in the Mill St. Plaza, 970-925-6020.

The Bar at Little Nell:

Offering three distinct bars, the sophisticated Montagna, the lively Terrace Bar and the more intimate Living Room, the Bar at Little Nell is a great après ski destination. Relax and enjoy a glass or two of wine and a great tapas selection, or make a choice from the seafood bar. Located at 675 E. Durant, 970-920-4600.

The Ultimate Taxi:

For a stylish ride with a difference, experience the Ultimate Taxi-the World’s only internet-connected taxi! With fibre optics on the ceiling, laser projectors, web cam, and more, this is a trip to remember for a long time to come!
www.ultimatetaxi.com

Dining in Aspen Snowmass

Aspen offers guests a huge variety of dining options to please everyone’s palate and purse. As a hugely popular destination, booking ahead is strongly suggested, particularly between 7pm and 9pm. During busy periods such as Christmas/New Year and Easter, and for larger groups, this is particularly pertinent advice. Aspen enjoys a relaxed dress code. You may well come across those who are more formally attired but this is certainly not the expectation.

Local Restaurant Listing & Map Links : www.eataspen.com

Here are our top recommended Aspen restaurants:

Asie:

Serving modern Asian cuisine in a chic setting and at reasonable rates. Open for both lunch and dinner. 413 E. Main St. - Tel: (970) 920-9988. www.asierestaurant.com

Blue Maize:

Popular among Aspen locals, Blue Maize’s menu showcases South Western and Latin American cuisine in a fun atmosphere. It’s innovative and reasonably priced menu includes such delights as grilled elk as well as vegetarian options, homemade sangria and double-shot margaritas. Open nightly.

Cache Cache:

We recommend you make a reservation to sample the superior flavours of French cuisine in an upscale environment. Cache Cache’s menu includes many meat and fish choices, including rotisserie game fowl, veal and rack of lamb accompanied by an extensive wine list. This lively bar is open nightly from 5.30pm til 10.30pm.
205 S Mill St. Plaza - Tel: (970) 925-3835 www.cachecache.com

Compo de Fiori:

For genuine Italian cooking embodying the finest ingredients, head over to Compo di Fiori. Enjoy a glass of Italian wine to accompany your meal, and admire the spectacular mountain views as you relax in Compo di Fiori’s friendly European environs. 205 S Mill St. - Tel: (970) 920-771 www.compodifiori.net

Elevation:

Serving an eclectic mix of American, Italian and Asian flavours in their innovative menu, Elevation aims to please their most discerning guests. Excellent service and reasonable prices. 304 E Hopkins Ave. - Tel: (970) 544-5166 www.elevationaspen.com

Kerichi:

A popular venue for locals and guests alike, Kerichi serves innovative contemporary Pan-Asian cuisine, including sushi and salmon. In an elegant atmosphere, Master Chef Kiyomi Sano and executive chef Peter Coyne work hard to ensure their clients enjoy a fabulous culinary experience. Their success is apparent in this classy and lively establishment. 533 E. Hopkins Ave. - Tel: (970) 920-2212 www.kerichiaspen.com

L’Hostaria:

L’Hostaria welcomes its diners with a chic ambiance and deliciously modern Italian cuisine. Offerings include a wide selection of seafood, pastas and meats, along with a phenomenal wine list. Guests can also opt, if they so choose, for the more casual bar menu. 620 E. Hyman Ave. - Tel: (970) 925-9022 www.hostaria.com

Matsuhisa:

Reservations are strongly suggested to secure a table at this delightful restaurant, particularly during high season. Renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, along with Nobuko Kang, has raised the art of sushi preparation to its highest level, creating masterpieces daily from the freshest and finest ingredients. Matsuhisa exudes urban chic and is deservedly a favourite Aspen destination. 303 E. Main St www.matsuhisaaspen.com

Mezzaluna:

Serving lunch, après ski and dinner daily, Mezzaluna has been an Aspen favourite since 1987. It’s guests are served their choice of delicious Italian food ion a lively setting with a contemporary feel. The dining room features over 100 pieces of Italian art to add a delightfully different ambiance to your dining experience.
624 E. Cooper Ave. - Tel: (970) 925-5882 www.mezzalunaaspen.com

Montagna at Little Nell:

A popular, award-winning local venue, Montagna enjoys spectacular views of Aspen Mountain in a hip, relaxed atmosphere. Montagna serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and features Rocky Mountain cuisine with a spectacular private wine cellar to enhance your dining pleasure. Thanks to the efforts of Master Sommelier Richard Betts, Montagna has been honoured with the Wine Spectator’s Grand Award.Little Nell Hotel - Tel: (970) 920-6313 www.thelittlenell.com

Pine Creek Cookhouse:

For an evening with a difference, embark on a special guided ski adventure by the glow of a miner’s lamp-or enjoy the romance of a sleigh ride- to the Cookhouse. Once there, sit back and take your pick from a creative menu, which includes such treats as Jack Daniels Marinated Caribou, Porcini Dusted Elk, or Wild Alaskan Salmon, alongside vegetarian options. Truly, something for everyone! Located 11 miles outside of Aspen at the end of Castle Creek Road at the base of the Elk Mountain range. 970-925-1044 www.pinecreekcookhouse.com

Poppies Bistro Café:

Enjoy contemporary American cuisine with a French influence at Poppies.Housed in a nineteenth century Victorian house, Poppies bistro is spread through a series of delightfully cosy rooms filled with paintings and antiques.
834 W Hallam St. - Tel: (970) 925-2333

Rustique:

Serving up a laid-back French country ambiance alongside its fabulous menu and superior service, Rustique is a deservedly popular addition to the Aspen après ski scene. Featured in Gourmet magazine for it’s “Grandmother cuisine”, Rustique delivers fresh, hearty selections such as venison loin and pot-au-feu alongside self-proclaimed “weird dishes” which change on a regular basis. It’s desserts are a local legend, including such wonders as profiteroles with homemade ice-cream and chocolate sauce, and a crème brulee to die for! 216 S. Monarch St. Tel: (970) 920-2555 www.rustiquebistro.com

The Restaurant at the St. Regis Aspen:

Featuring an exhibition kitchen, which offers diners a front row view of creative menu preparation, The Restaurant at St. Regis has an inviting, Mediterranean feel with warm, earthy décor, pine floors and antique furniture and fittings. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily. The menu offers flavoursome and imaginative American food using only the finest fresh ingredients and utilizing seasonal specialities to produce such delights as crab stuffed squash blossom and seared Hudson Valley foie gras, bon ap! St. Regis Resort - Tel: (970) 920-7356. www.stregisaspen.com

The Steak Pit:

Delivering up dinner to a faithful and appreciative clientele with includes locals as well as Aspen visitors, The Steak Pit’s menu naturally includes chicken, pasta, seafood alongside steak. There’s a wide selection of salad bar options and, if you’ve room for dessert, their fudge sundaes are reputed to be the best in town!
305 E. Hopkins Ave - Tel: (970) 925-3459 www.thesteakpit.com

Syzygy:

Chef Martin Oswald has instigated a creative menu to please his discerning guests with a mix of delicious tastes from around the globe. The chef’s 5-course tasting menu has been developed to offer customers the perfect means to explore Syzygy’s diverse flavours. Enjoy a fine wine to accompany each course and admire the magnificent views of Aspen Mountain from the Front Room. Alternatively, the Jazz Room features eight cosy booths, which, when enjoyed to the accompaniment of live music, embodies a uniquely urbane atmosphere for the sophisticated diner.
520 E. Hyman Ave. Tel: (970) 925-3700 www.syzygyrestaurant.com

Takah Sushi:

Delighting Aspen with its sushi menu for over two decades, Takah Sushi lays claim to have initiated the popularity of Japanese cuisine in the Aspen area. Diners can opt to enjoy the Asian menu at the sushi bar or in the dining room. A children’s menu is also available, as is a private dining room available for groups of unto 12 guests. 320 S. Mill St. - Tel: (970) 925-8588 www.takahsushi.com

Wild Fig:

Centrally located in the heart of Aspen, Wild Fig has the feel of a European brasserie. It’s menu features creative selections from France, Spain, Italy and Greece.
315 E. Hyman Ave. Tel: (970) 925-5160 www.thewildfig.com