6 Watering Holes that Locals Love in Summit County
After a day of skiing and playing on any of the big mountains in Summit County, Colorado you may be ready for some aprés ski. If you’re like me, you’ll likely talk with some local residents to secure the best food and drink as well as an authentic experience away from the touristy crowds. I’ve asked around, and these bar and grills are among the top picks among people that live or work in the mountain towns of Breckenridge, Keystone, Dillon and Frisco. Here’s the roundup:
Double Diamond – If you’re skiing Copper mountain, scoot over to the Double Diamond near Super Bee lift for a beer or a glass of wine. It’s also a great place to grab a home-style dinner at the end of the day. The owners, David and Shari Luthi, actively manage the operations. You’ll find David cooking fish for their Wisconsin fish fry on Friday nights, a must to try. Raised in Colorado, Shari offers native dishes such as barbecued baby back ribs and hand-tossed mountain pizza, um um. Their diverse menu also includes seafood and many types of cuisine. They’ll even deliver it to your room at Copper. So grab a drink and chat with Shari and David – they’ll make you feel right at home.
Ullr’s Sports Bar & Grill – On the mountain side of the parkway at Main Street station in Breckenridge, you’ll find this sports bar packed with a good mix of locals and travelers. Ullr’s offers a good variety of grub – appetizers, burgers and sandwiches – for those looking to fill their bellies without paying a premium price. The Philly Cheese Steak with fries is delicious and a great deal for about $5. They also have a wide variety of beer, wine and mixed drinks to quench your thirst from their fully stocked bar. There’s about a dozen TVs and booth seating with plenty of classic bar diversions like pool, air hockey and Foosball to keep your group entertained while you wait.
The Dam Brewery – Between Breckenridge and Keystone on Hwy 6 you’ll find the quaint mountain town of Dillon. You won’t miss this popular hangout spot where local professionals like to meet up to wind down after work. You can try their hand-crafted beers, like their Exit 205 Beer (named after the Hwy Exit where you’ll find the pub). It’s light, crisp and bubbly, described by one connoisseur as “tasting like a beer would if it sprung directly from the mountains.” This place is a good choice for sociable dinners and drinks with a conversational crowd.
Silver Heels – Head a little west of Dillon to a great stop on Main St in Frisco. The menu is moderately priced yet offers a surprising array of specialty dishes with premium beers, local micro-brews and 18 or so different blends of margaritas to chase the meal. We hear that the chicken entrees are really good and so is the Godfather of all margaritas, “the Godfatherita.” For late snackers, Silver Heels is one of the only places in the area that seats until 10 P.M. every night.
Snake River Saloon and Steakhouse – As you drive down Highway 6 just before you get to Keystone, you’ll run into the Snake River Saloon, which is more restaurant than bar. Snake River offers a diverse menu of classics like Filet Mignon, crab, salmon, lobster and escargot. It’s a lively atmosphere with a good mix of skiers, locals, singles and families in an authentic mountain saloon setting. Their premium cocktails are the perfect complement to their hearty dinners and you’ll enjoy live music on the weekends.
Dos Locos – This is an excellent place to experience Mexican food, drink and culture with your group in Keystone. There, you can enjoy authentic food served by a friendly staff in an upbeat atmosphere with occasional live music. Conveniently located in the Mountain View Plaza, even the local residents go up to enjoy the warm culture, food and atmosphere after a cool day on the mountain. With a three-hour long happy hour specials every night of the week, it’s good food and drink for a great price.
That’s the list for now, and we’ll continue with more in another post! What are your favorite local watering holes in Summit County?