Travel guideHistorySightsNightlifeMap

Aspen Nightlife, Colorado

Like any legendary place where the most famous people hang out, Aspen is surrounded in myths. One popular local myth says that many visitors don’t even bother to try the slopes, they spend their time shopping or idling in a bar. The truth is that there is nothing that Aspen nightlife (or day life!) cannot offer. From the most exclusivist and top scale restaurants, the fanciest boutiques and spas to an evening walk between the merchants and street performers in the square, all possible options for a night out are present in Aspen.

Aspen Nightlife - Restaurants

One of the most difficult tasks is to recommend a restaurant in Aspen: they cover all price ranges and all world cuisines. Some offer the finest dishes in unique and hard to access locations, like Pine Creek Cookhouse or Sundeck Restaurant, others offer a high class atmosphere and the chance to dine next to Aspen’s elite, like Lu Lu Wilson, The Crystal Palace or the Syzygy. There are a lot of fairly priced diners specialized in different world cuisines, especially French (Cache-Cache, Rustique), Asian (Kenichi, Takah Sushi), Italian (Campo de Fiori, Gusto Ristorante, Messaluna) and Mexican (The Cantina, Taqueria Sayulita, The Big Wrap). A special category is represented by the crowded and welcoming restaurants located near the slopes: Cliffhouse, Cloud Nine, Bonnie’s, Bump’s or Merry-Go-Round. Remember: except for the last category, all restaurants require reservations, if possible weeks in advance.

Aspen Nightlife – Bars and Clubs

Aspen’s nightlife evolves, after a certain hour, around the many bars where people can socialize and savor a sophisticated cocktail or just a plain old beer. The Red Onion, J-Bar, Cooper Street Pier, Little Annie’s are some of the most frequented après-ski bars. Jimmy’s is where you can dance on salsa music while tasting the best tequila; the Wine Spot is the wine lover’s heaven; as for beer drinkers, McStrolie’s Pub, Eric’s Bar and the Cigar Bar are worth paying a visit.

Aspen Nightlife – Entertainment

The Wheeler Opera House had been for decades the headquarter of Aspen’s musical and cultural events, closely followed by Belly Up Aspen, a pub that made a tradition from hosting live concerts and names as Joe Cocker or BB King. Other places where life music can be enjoyed are The Shadow Mountain Lodge and The Little Nell, as well as Bar Aspen, The Sepakeasy and The Lava Room, where DJs are mixing the hottest hits.

Aspen always comes up with the latest fashion: if you’re not into shopping, you can just relax in one of the enormous spa centers like Aspen Club and Spa or Remede Spa. If you’re in the mood to drive outside Aspen, you can check the Denver Nightlife and Vail Travel Guide articles for more options.

email to a friendAsk our travel experts a question about Aspen

Things about Aspen you may be interested in

Aspen Reviews

+ list your site

ReviewsTravel TipsWrite a review Write a travel tip

Read our members' reviews about Aspen

Winter sports at Aspen Snowmass, CO
review by lindamura posted more then 30 days ago
One of North America’s premier resorts, Aspen Snowmass is located on one of the four renowned peaks of Aspen area, a Rocky Mountain massif with a vertical drop of 4,406 feet. Getting here is a piece of cake. If you get to Aspen airport, it’s only six miles to Snowmass Village. ...