Steamboat Springs comes alive at night with live music, craft brews, great cocktails, dancing, local hangouts, and late-night fun wrapped in mountain charm.
After the sun goes down, Steamboat Springs undergoes a captivating transformation. The incredible outdoor attractions make way for a vibrant nightlife that adds an extra layer of thrill to your Colorado getaway.
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.
Here's a quick peek before we jump in:
- Storm Peak Brewing: Craft beers, board games, sports on TV, and a lively mix of locals and visitors.
- Old Town Pub & Restaurant: Historic gathering spot with hearty pub food and plenty of live music.
- Schmiggity's Dance Bar: A near-daily lineup of live shows, themed nights, karaoke, and a dancefloor.
- The Barley Tap & Tavern: Colorado-made drinks, rotating taps, tap takeovers, comedy nights, and fun bar games.
- The Press: Downtown music venue known for great cocktails, live performances, trivia nights, and a buzzing crowd.
- Sunpie's Bistro: Cajun-inspired comfort food, the famous hurricane cocktail, quirky décor, and a riverside patio.
- Snow Bowl Steamboat: Twelve modern bowling lanes, tasty food, weekly live music, and a pet-friendly vibe.
At Retreatia, we have extensive local expertise in luxury rental properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodging. Many of our rentals are pet-friendly, and all are perfect for any time of the year!
We also consider ourselves local experts, and in our destination blog, we cover everything from hidden gems and indoor attractions to wonderful coffee shops around town. You'll find plenty of tips that will help make your stay in Steamboat Springs a memorable one, no matter the season. Pack your bags, bring your curiosity, and get ready to make memories in this unforgettable corner of the American West!
In this guide, I'll be your compass, guiding you through the top nightlife hotspots in Steamboat Springs, where after-dark excitement awaits with plenty of music, mountain vibes, and friendly locals.
Ready? Let's get into it!
1. Storm Peak Brewing
An ever-changing mix of seasonal creations, games, sports on TV, and good music.
Storm Peak Brewing keeps the energy high with good music, great beer, and a lively crowd of locals and visitors hanging out together. The brewery pours an ever-changing mix of seasonal creations, crisp ales, and darker brews full of character. The space feels relaxed and social, with plenty of room inside and a welcoming patio outside. Games, sports on TV, and rotating art displays add even more fun to the mix.
Highlights
- A wide variety of house-brewed beers, including rotating taps and seasonal releases.
- Board games and TVs showing live sports.
- Music nights with talented performers.
- A spacious indoor area and a cozy patio with picnic tables and soft lighting.
- Occasional art showcases featuring local artists.
- Flexibility to order delivery or grab food from nearby eateries to enjoy with your beer.
2. Old Town Pub & Restaurant
Old favorite hangout, friendly regulars, music nights, good food, and great drinks.
When you step inside Old Town Pub, you instantly feel you're slipping into an old favorite hangout, thanks to the building's early-1900s charm and a warm, lived-in vibe. The energy is upbeat without being overwhelming, so it's an easy place to grab dinner, sip something good, and settle in for live music. The menu leans proudly American with all the comfort classics you'd expect, and the bar pours a great mix of beer, cider, and cocktails. Add in friendly regulars who love chatting with newcomers and music nights that fill the room with Colorado jam-band energy, and you've got a night out that's relaxed, fun, and full of personality.
Highlights
- A vintage-style setting inside a historic early-1900s building.
- A tasty lineup of pub favorites like wings, fried pickles, ribs, burgers, and sandwiches.
- A strong selection of drinks, including beer, cider, and cocktails.
- Friendly bartenders who know their menu well.
- Live music nights featuring local jam bands and well-loved performers.
- A warm, social atmosphere where regulars and visitors mix naturally.
3. SCHMIGGITY'S DANCE BAR
Great live music performances nearly every day of the week.
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.
Highlights
- Live music nearly every night of the week.
- A variety of genres, including country, funk, reggae, jam, Latin, and bluegrass.
- Karaoke and piano bar nights for extra fun.
- Happy Hour with half-priced drinks from 6–8 pm.
- A great stage setup with quality sound and lighting.
- Dance instruction nights for learning a few new moves.
- A full events calendar packed with themed nights and performances.
4. The Barley Tap and Tavern
An extensive selection of over 30 rotating beer taps, and events such as live music and comedy nights.
Specializing in drinks proudly made in Colorado, The Barley Tap and Tavern is the go-to 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. 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.
Highlights
- Over 30 rotating beer taps plus 8 wine taps.
- Signature cocktails with plenty of local character.
- A friendly crowd and a relaxed, social vibe.
- Live music, comedy nights, and tap takeovers.
- Card games, Jenga, and other fun extras to keep the night going.
5. The Press
Lively nights packed with great music, friendly crowds, and a great lineup of craft cocktails.
Located in the heart of Steamboat Springs' downtown within the historic Pilot Building, The Press is a must-visit live music venue for a delightful and fun evening. Since its opening, this local favorite 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, you can enjoy a free Trivia Night, adding more fun opportunities and the chance to win some exciting prizes.
Highlights
- A historic downtown venue with a fun, welcoming atmosphere.
- Live shows ranging from local talent to award-winning artists.
- Tuesday Trivia Nights with prizes and plenty of laughs.
- A great lineup of craft cocktails and local beers.
- Tasty, affordable tacos if you like to start the night with something good.
- A lively crowd that's always ready for music, dancing, and a great time.
6. SUNPIE'S BISTRO
A great way to start your evening with a fantastic Cajun-inspired comfort food menu and divine drinks.
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.
Highlights
- Cajun-inspired comfort food packed with flavor.
- The famous hurricane cocktail, plus plenty of other fun drinks.
- A long list of beers for every taste.
- A cozy, quirky interior that sets a relaxed mood.
- A spacious patio overlooking the Yampa River for summer nights.
7. Snow Bowl Steamboat
Beautifully designed 12 bowling lanes and weekly live music.
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. 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.
Highlights
- Twelve modern bowling lanes with a fun, upbeat vibe.
- A tasty food and drink menu for easy snacking.
- Weekly live music that keeps nights lively.
- Pet-friendly environment.
Bonus: What are the best après-ski spots in Steamboat Springs?
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.
Here's a list of the top après-ski spots in Steamboat Springs:
- 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 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.
Enjoy every moment of your Steamboat Springs escape
While in town, why not stay in style with the great backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in one of the most iconic rental properties and complexes that Steamboat Springs offers?
Retreatia offers luxury properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodgings, many of which are 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.