Crested Butte Après Scene

What’s better than ending a day on the slopes in Crested Butte with a cold beer or a tasty mocktail? Après-ski is one of the best parts of skiing, especially in one of Colorado’s coolest mountain towns. Crested Butte’s après scene offers variety and loads of fun. Party with live music, try a cocktail made with local spirits or munch on a charcuterie board. Keep reading to discover more about apres-ski in Crested Butte.

What is après and where did it come from?

Après, or après-ski, is a time-honored part of skiing. The phrase means “after skiing” and likely originated in Scandinavia. It was intended to celebrate a successful day of skiing and to toast the Norse god Ullr, the god of snow and skiing. Today, it is a fun way to celebrate the ski day, whether it’s the middle of the day or the end.

Crested Butte’s après vibe

Crested Butte’s après vibe is eclectic and laid-back. Walk down Elk Avenue, Crested Butte’s downtown, and explore the après spots in the town’s colorful and historic buildings. Après options include drinks at a bar with live music, a quiet coffee and snack in a coffeeshop or a mellow beer before dinner.

Where to go for beers

Bruhaus

Bruhaus, Crested Butte’s beer hall, serves more than 50 types of beer, including NA options. The Bruhaus gives modern German beer hall vibes. Post up at the bar to see the impressive number of taps or grab a table in the light and airy hall.

Irwin Brewing

Visit the Irwin Brewing tap room and try Crested Butte-brewed beer. Choose from staples or a small batch brew.

Kochevars Saloon

Kochevars, Crested Butte’s oldest bar, has an old West feel. Its storied history begins in 1886 when the establishment first opened as a gaming hall. Antique gambling equipment and black and white photos adorn the walls. It was also a brothel and a bowling alley before becoming a bar. Patrons of Kochevars can shoot pool or play darts while enjoying their drinks.

Where to go for cocktails

Montanya Distillers

Montanya rum is distilled in Crested Butte with fresh mountain water. The tasting room on Elk Avenue offers rum tastings, craft cocktails, small bites and limited-edition rum releases. The tasting room is intimate with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Drink a delicious rum cocktail while watching snow fall on Elk Avenue. Montanya also hosts bingo and trivia nights throughout the season.

Anthracite Spirits

Sample local gin, vodka, brandy, Crème de Cacao and aperitif at the Anthracite tasting lounge. Try classic cocktails such as gimlets and negronis or a creative house cocktail. This cozy basement bar has plush, comfy chairs and is lined with windows that give an excellent view of Elk Avenue.

Dogwood Cocktail Cabin

The Dogwood is a cozy cocktail bar that was once a miners’ cabin. It was built in 1891 and originally stood in Irwin, Colorado. Some of the original wood is still intact. This full-service cocktail bar serves classic cocktails as well as specialties. Mocktails, beer and wine are also on the menu.

Where to go for dancing and live music

The Talk of the Town

This Crested Butte classic provides just the right amount of grit and will keep you hydrated all evening. It’s a favorite spot for drinking and dancing. Visit when a band is playing or queue up your favorite songs on the jukebox.

Crested Butte Public House

The Public House is a family-friendly bar, restaurant and music venue that combines Colorado’s western spirit with modern charm. Get Irwin beer on tap or sip on a craft cocktail in the spacious pub. The Public House has a music venue in the basement. Acts that have played at the Public House include Sunsqaubi, the Fretliners and Grieves!

The Eldo Brewery

The Eldo is a locally owned and operated brewery and live music venue. This laid-back and downhome bar is a favorite with the locals. Drink fresh and local beer brewed in the basement. Choices include rotating guest beers and a variety of house beers. The Eldo also has the best deck in town, even in winter!

Non-alcoholic après options

If coffee or hot chocolate is more your thing, check out a local coffeeshop or tea bar.

Rumors Coffee and Tea House

Rumors Coffee and Tea House serves an array of coffee drinks, chai and loose-leaf teas. Take a seat at one of the café tables and check out the art hanging on the walls. Or enjoy the homey atmosphere of Townie Books, Crested Butte’s independent bookstore, while you sip your drink.

T Bar Crested Butte

Choose from an expansive menu of teas at the T Bar. Enjoy a tea latte, milk tea, loose leaf tea, matcha, yerba or herbal tea blends. This welcoming tea bar is full of plants and art and has tea accoutrements on display.

Where to après at Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Uley’s Cabin

This cozy cabin serves craft beer, strong cocktails and signature hot chocolate drinks. Enjoy a gourmet meal for lunch inside or a tasty drink on the patio. It is only accessible by ski or snowboard. Uley’s is to the left of the intersection where the runs Peanut and Roller Coaster meet.

The Umbrella Bar at Ten Peaks

Take in incredible views of the peak and the surrounding mountains from the Umbrella Bar at Ten Peaks. This is one of the best places to après on bluebird days. Enjoy a drink and the view while relaxing in a colorful Adirondack chair. The Umbrella Bar is at the top of Painter Boy lift. After you après, ski down to the base area, do some runs on the backside of Painter Boy or connect to East River.

Paradise Warming House

Paradise Warming House is next to Paradise Lift. The warming house has outdoor seating, a patio with picnic tables and indoor seating. Get Irwin beer on tap, wine, cocktails, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Paradise also has bathrooms and a water fountain.

Where to après at the base area

Coal Breaker Coffee Co.

Sometimes the pick-me-up you need is some caffeine. Grab a coffee drink or chai at Coal Breaker Coffee Co. Coal Breaker is located in the Treasury Center at the base area.

A Bar Above

Artisanal cocktails, craft beer and red and white wine await at A Bar Above. This bar, located at the base area, has a fun and festive atmosphere all ski season. There is live music that starts around when the lifts stop spinning nearly every day. Snack on Sicilian pan pizza for something savory or cannoli for something sweet.

Tin Cup CB

Visit Tin Cup Ice Cream and Desserts to satiate your sweet tooth. Pastel walls and décor create a cute and fun atmosphere to enjoy your sweet treat. For an extra kick, make any milkshake at Tin Cup a boozy one! Tin Cup’s mountain shop is located at the base area, steps from the Treasury Center.

Unconventional après in Crested Butte

Give après a twist with a pub crawl or distillery tour.

Crested Butte Museum historic pub crawl

Sample beer, wine and cocktails while learning about Crested Butte’s history on a historic pub crawl. Different themes include mining, skiing, Crested Butte ghosts and historical architecture.

Crested Butte Nordic yurt dinners

Earn your après by cross-country skiing to the Magic Meadows Yurt with the Crested Butte Nordic Center. Enjoy a gourmet meal paired with specialty cocktails and mocktails, and craft beer. Getting to the yurt requires an easy one-mile cross-country ski. The trail is flat and well-lit.

Montanya distillery tour

Discover how rum is made on a guided tour and tasting at Montanya’s distillery. Choose from the regular tour or the connoisseur tour. Both tours allow visitors the opportunity to take a closer look at the fermentation process and learn how rum is made.

Skiing at Crested Butte

Crested Butte Mountain Resort has terrain for skiers of all abilities, but it shines when it comes to steep, extreme terrain. Challenge yourself on some of the steepest in-bounds skiing in Colorado. Or explore the mellower terrain. Learn more with our skiing guide.

Plan your trip

Visit our trip planning page for all the resources you need to make your dream Colorado ski trip happen. Plan the rest of your meals for your trip with our Crested Butte dining page.