The Best Happy Hour Spots in Keystone

UPDATED: October 2018

Happy Hour. Après ski. Post-hike celebration. Whatever you call it, there’s nothing more rewarding than enjoying a celebratory drink with a group of friends or family after an outdoor adventure. Whether you spend the day mountain biking, climbing a 14er, wrangling the kids, skiing, snowshoeing or just enjoying some fresh air, when the clock ticks to beer thirty (or 2 or 3 or 4 p.m.), it’s time to unwind and enjoy a cold beverage.

At Keystone, there are dozens of happy hour locations and bars to choose, as well as special events like wine tastings, live music and signature festivals. Here are our favorite happy hour spots to raise a glass and make a toast in Keystone.

Bighorn Bistro & Bar

The only thing more incredible than the views is the selection of craft cocktails. The Bighorn offers a daily happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. with specials on specialty cocktails, a variety of beer and wine selections. Plus, cozy up and enjoy the live music on select nights during the peak seasons.

Don’t miss the Bighorn’s Music and Mules Happy Hour. Enjoy $5 specialty Moscow Mules and live music on Fridays and Saturdays. In the summer, enjoy the patio and the views.

Bighorn Bistro & Bar / 22101 US Highway 6 (Keystone Lodge & Spa), Keystone, CO / (970) 496-4386

 

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The Ski Tip Lodge

For a truly special happy hour treat, take a trip through time and enjoy the charms and the historic treasures of The Ski Tip Lodge Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 3-5 pm during the peak winter and summer seasons (call first for availability). Known as the best restaurant in Summit County, the Ski Tip is located in a former stagecoach stop that was also home to the original founders of Keystone Resort – Max and Edna Dercum.

Enjoy an afternoon on the sunny patio in the summer or cozy up next to the roaring fireplace during the winter and sample the flavors of Ski Tip’s renowned cuisine and charm. The Ski Tip offers daily specials on wine selections, beers and appetizers.

Ski Tip Lodge / 764 Montezuma Road, Keystone, CO / (970) 496-4950

 

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Keystone Ranch Golf Course

Don’t leave the golf course after you’ve finished your round. Stay for happy hour at the Keystone Ranch Golf Course – the team offers a daily happy hour from 3:30 to 5:30 pm.

Enjoy the view from the Keystone Ranch Bar and the expanded Patio as you sample a variety of local bourbons, whiskeys, vodka and other spirits made in Colorado. Then, stay for a hearty dinner in the stunning dining room of The Keystone Ranch. As an upscale, but casual steakhouse, the Keystone Ranch is an authentic 1930s homestead with rustic elegance offering families, golfers and visitors to Keystone a unique taste of the area’s ranching and farming history.

Keystone Ranch / 1437 County Road 150, Keystone, CO / (970) 496-4386

 

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9280’ Taphouse

Enjoy the best deck in Keystone at 9280’Taphouse, along with delicious snacks, appetizers and frosty margaritas. Happy Hour is served from 3pm-6pm daily with food and drink specials.

The Taphouse is known for its beer selections, but don’t miss out on the happy hour drink specials and deals on wines by the glass for happy hour. Their mountain-sized nachos are a hit for kids of all ages.

9280 Taphouse / River Run Village: 140 Ida Belle Drive, Keystone, CO / (970) 496-4333

 

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Friday Afternoon Club

In the summers, start the weekend off early with Keystone’s Friday Afternoon Club. This weekly event offers the highest happy hour in Summit County at 11,640 feet. Head to the Summit House via the River Run Gondola to enjoy an evening of live music, drink and food specials and activities including horseshoes, corn hole, ladder ball, bocce ball and more.

Keystone’s Friday Afternoon Club is accessible by the River Run Gondola from 1pm – 7pm. A foot passenger ticket or lift ticket is required to access the Gondola. Foot passenger tickets are available at the River Run Ticket Office and are FREE on Fridays from 1pm-7pm.

Friday Afternoon Club / Top of Dercum Mountain at the Summit House (stop by the River Run Ticket Office first for a free lift ticket)

 

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Summer Festivals

Keystone’s summer festivals are some of the most popular events in Summit County in the summer and it’s no surprise. They offer a sampling of bacon, beer, wine and delicious food combined with live music in the perfect setting – River Run Village with Dercum Mountain as the backdrop.

Here’s a list of the most popular summer festivals

• Bluegrass and Beer Festival – August
  Enjoy live bluegrass music across three different stages while sampling beer from over 30 different breweries, from Colorado and beyond.
• Mountain Town Music Festival –  August
  Two days of free live music and a celebration of Colorado’s summer peach harvest!  Regional and national musicians take the stage in River Run Plaza along with a fireworks display on Friday night.
• Taste of Keystone – End of the Summer (August or September)
  Bring a hearty appetite and prepare your taste buds for the best culinary event of the summer!   The Taste of Keystone is a perfect way to experience Keystone’s finest cuisine in a beautiful outdoor setting.
• Oktoberfest – September
  River Run at Keystone will be hosting Oktoberfest!  Free music & admission.   Come sample beers from 4 different Colorado Breweries and enjoy traditional German fare.  Bust out your  lederhosen and enjoy an afternoon of polka and music from Those Austrian Guys.

Don’t miss the Bacon and Bourbon Festival, The Wine and Jazz Festival and more.

 

With the variety of bars and restaurants and summer festivals  in Keystone there’s no shortage of options for happy hour seekers. So, find yourself a nice sunny deck, live entertainment or the perfect cozy spot with a roaring fireplace and say cheers!