Aspen Bars & Nightlife

The Surf Lodge is a Hamptons staple. In Aspen, the team created the Snow Lodge at the base of Ajax mountain. The heated deck here is the perfect après spot for both skiers and nonskiers: mountain views, hot toddies, and a resident DJ all season long. Image courtesy of Giada Paoloni.

We love a moody, dimly lit speakeasy, especially one operated by the gang behind the Jerome. Bad Harriet is undeniably sexy. Tucked beneath the 1889 Aspen Times building, the cozy Art Deco space is upholstered in lush plaid and supple leather, the fireplace roars nightly, and servers regularly dole out warm pigs in a blanket to nibble on while you sip.

Sometimes ditching the glitz of Aspen and dipping into a taproom for a beer and a slice of pizza feels just right. Westy's Tap & Tavern is decidedly low-key. Stop by after a day on the slopes to kick back with a local beer and short rib pizza (yes, really). Don’t be surprised if a stop here renders your dinner plans obsolete. If you’re on the run, we recommend grabbing a growler to go.

Situated in a side entrance of the historic Hotel Jerome, J-Bar has been a popular local hangout for years (Hunter S. Thompson famously made it his campaign headquarters when he ran for town sheriff). When Auberge bought the hotel back in 2011, it gave the space the expected makeover, but it's largely retained its charm. It remains cozy and dimly-lit, and its proximity to the base of Ajax and the rest of downtown Aspen makes it an ideal location for spiked hot chocolate after a long day on the mountain.

A huge part of the appeal of skiing is the promise of the aprés ski scene afterwards, and this spot on the top of Highlands, conveniently equipped with bubbling raclette grills, is definitely the place to be at around 2pm. Expect to see people on tables in ski boots until 4pm, when ski patrollers join the party and promptly kick everyone out. P.S. Champagne (for drinking or spraying) is definitely the order of choice here.

This legendary live music venue is the type of place that could only exist in Aspen: It's unimaginably tiny, it's always packed, and it brings some of the best musicians in the country to a small, isolated mountain town. The rumors about the big-name acts are no joke, as everyone from Wyclef Jean and Pitbull to SEAL, John Legend, and Lynyrd Skynyrd have graced the stage. With the exception of a few age restricted shows (check the calendar just to be sure), this is a family friendly spot, so whether you're seeing a local cowboy crooner or Widespread Panic, you can bring the whole group along.