VAIL Like nothing on earth.™

#VailBen Dispatch 10: My Favorite Spots for Summer Apres and Vail Happy Hours

Benjamin enjoying a late afternoon strudel at Alpenrose.

Apres Ski is as much a part of Vail culture as actual skiing. But just because the snow melts doesn’t mean the sunset parties stops. You’ve been playing on the mountain all day—hiking, biking, ropes course-ing—and you deserve a drink or five. In fact, one might say with the warm temperatures (no mittens needed!), smaller crowds (you might be able to sit down!), and summer deals (drunk on a budget!), Summer Apres might be better than winter. Now all you need to do is figure out which of the Vail happy hours you’re in the mood for.

A dramatic sky as scene from the decks of Tavern on the Square and Vail Chophouse.

Deck with a Mountain View There is something about admiring the terrain you just hiked or biked with a cold beer in hand. And plenty of slope-side spots provide that fix. Try some homemade limoncello with ginger beer at Tavern on the Square. Across the way at Vail Chophouse, sample from the massive seafood tower guaranteed to satisfy any East Coaster’s seafood craving.   People Watching, Perfected The characters of Vail never cease to entertain me. So what better way to enjoy all the dogs, skateboarders, fancy ladies, and babies than from a deck in the middle of it all. At La Tour you can enjoyed discounted small plates and excellent cocktails on the lively patio from 3pm-5pm. Meanwhile, just down the street, Alpenrose invites you to sample live music and German beers on their patio. Feeling adventurous? Try tackling Alpenrose’s ridiculous three-liters beer with friends for some killer Instagram opportunities.

Locals’ dive Garfs is a great place for Apres drink specials.

Hard Day, Cheap Drinks Sometimes you just want to quench your thirst without hurting your wallet. Grab a prime seat on Garfinkel’s picturesque deck and enjoy daily specials like $3.50 beers. Same goes for coffee shop turned shot slinger Loaded Joe’s. From 3pm-7pm you can score $3 beers, and after 9pm, $3 shots! Like your nights as stiff as your drinks? The incredible happy hour deal at The George will get you any drink—including top shelf!—for only $4.50 between the hours of 4pm-10pm. I still think it’s a typo it’s such a good deal.   Margaritas and Munchies Summer Tuesday in Vail go South of the Border. Enjoy the scenic patio or popular bar scene of the casual El Sabor with $5 homemade margaritas. Meanwhile, over at Golden Peak, take advantage of Larkspur’s Tequila Tuesday for $5 cucumber-jalapeno margaritas, $3 Modelo Epecials, and a live DJ. And Bol goes to a different hemisphere with Tiki-themed shots and bacardi drinks for $3.   Food For Less By now Terra Bistro’s Appy Hour has become infamous across the valley. Enjoy the iconic Vail restaurant’s appetizers for half off alas well as $4 mixed drinks and $6 specialty cocktails everyday from 5pm-6pm. But if you’re like me, and your Apres munchies don’t kick in until after sunset, you have no choice but to head to Vendetta’s. There, hungry, late-night crowd stuff their faces with topping-filled pizzas.

*** What are your favorite sports for Summer Apres eats and drinks? Let me know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram by using the hashtag #VailBen ***

Benjamin Solomon is the winner of America’s Best Summer Job, a 10-week, all-expenses paid summer job exploring what summer in the Vail Valley has to offer. A freelance writer based in New York, Benjamin has contributed to publications such as Vanity Fair, New York, Travel + Leisure and is the former editor of Next Magazine. Follow his journey on Blog.Vail.com as well as on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #VailBen.