Gunnison Nightlife

TL;DR:

Gunnison’s nightlife is energetic and varied. From Main Street bars and live music at the Gunnison Arts Center to karaoke nights, happy hours, alcohol free game nights and art walks, there are options to keep everyone entertained. 

• Main Street is the hub for bars, restaurants and events.
• Venues like the Whammy Bar and Gunnison Arts Center host performances year-round. 
• Western Colorado University offers concerts, plays and student-led events. 
• Alcohol-free fun includes nights at Storyweaver Games, art and dance classes, and outdoor concerts.
• Nearby nightlife includes Almont’s Pavilion Dance Series and live music at the Stumbling Moose Lodge and Pitkin Hotel in Pitkin.

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Gunnison is a small college town with a surprisingly robust nightlife. Bars offer live music, karaoke and open mic nights. Restaurants host happy hours and events. The Gunnison Arts Center offers theatre, music, film showings, gallery openings and classes. Keep reading to learn more about Gunnison nightlife.

Where does nightlife happen in Gunnison?

Downtown Gunnison

Main Street is where most of Gunnison’s bar and restaurant scene lives. Main Street is at the intersection of Highways 50 and 135. Most downtown businesses are within three blocks of this intersection. If you’re looking for traditional nightlife fun, go here. Main Street has the largest number of options for dinner and happy hour, and enough bars to go on a bar crawl.

Art galleries, stores, IOOF Park and the Gunnison Arts Center are also downtown. Art galleries and stores stay open late for art walks and special events. IOOF Park hosts concerts and outdoor town events in warm months.

Gunnison Arts Center

The Gunnison Arts Center is a hub of activity for the town. It sits at the top of South Main Street. Equipped with a black box theatre, art galleries, a commercial kitchen and a dance studio, the Gunnison Arts Center offers a variety of fun things to do.

Western Colorado University

Western has events such as live music, theatre, art openings, drag shows, sporting events and more.

Businesses not downtown

Businesses with Gunnison nightlife options not located downtown include Storyweaver Games, Pitas in Paradise, Cocktails and Quarters, and the Powerstop.

Gunnison nightlife things to do

Food and happy hours in Gunnison

This small mountain town packs a big punch when it comes to food options. Choose from elevated American cuisine, Spanish-inspired tapas, various types of pizza, several Mexican options and more. Cap off your meal with a dessert before checking out other aspects of Gunnison’s nightlife. Most restaurants and bars have happy hour deals on drinks and food. Start your evening early with discounts!

Live music in Gunnison

Karaoke

The Whammy Bar hosts karaoke once a week. A two-song limit allows everyone to take the stage and sing their heart out. Blackstock Bistro hosts karaoke nights a few times a year. Pick your favorite karaoke song or go to a themed decade night. Most themed nights also include a cocktail contest!

Open mic nights

Showcase your musical skills or hear local talent at an open mic night.

Western Colorado University Concerts

Western has a concert choir, chamber orchestra, jazz and steel band, and a symphonic band. Each band plays at Quigley Hall several times a year.

Live music at the Gunnison Arts Center

The Gunnison Arts Center hosts live music in the theatre and on the outdoor patio. The arts center also hosts a summer concert series at Legion Park called Sundays at Six. See local performers such as Chris Coady, Sierra Joy and Rachel VanSlyke. Past national acts include Tris and the Goldmine Band, the Natalie Spears Band, and the Black Canyon Ramblers.

Sports

Western plays in the NCAA and has several club sports that play in Gunnison. See the Mountaineer football team play at the Mountaineer Bowl for Friday night lights. Attend a club hockey game at Jorgensen Ice Rink. Cheer on the women’s soccer team at the highest collegiate soccer field in the world.

Theatre and Movies in Gunnison

Movie showings

The Gunnison Arts Center’s black box theatre, nicknamed the Blue Box Theatre, shows films. Screenings include documentaries such as Butterfly in a Blizzard, a look at pro snowboarder Kimmy Fasani’s transition into motherhood. Catch old classics such as Dogma and House on Haunted Hill. Find stoke for the outdoors with a showing of an outdoor industry film. Other showings include family-friendly movies and local productions.

Theatre

The Gunnison Arts Center hosts a delightful variety of theatre productions. See improv shows and one-act festivals. Enjoy reader’s theatre plays and traveling shows. Appreciate the talent of solo-directed performances and locally written shows.

Classes and experiences

Classes

The arts center has classes for ceramics, crafts, culinary arts and visual arts. Have a tasty cocktail while making things like resin ornaments, ceramic mugs and watercolor paintings at an And Series class. Make date night memorable with a cooking class. Try something new with friends at a dance class.

Gunnison Bars

Gunnison’s downtown experienced a burst of growth in 2024 and 2025. Several new bars opened, expanding the bar scene on Main Street.

Crested Bucha

Crested Bucha is a family-friendly lounge and tasting room. Beer, kombucha and wine are on tap. Try traditional cocktails or a kombucha cocktail. The cozy atmosphere welcomes hanging out over a board game or just chatting with your friends.

Whammy Bar

The Whammy Bar is run by the owners of Blue Mesa Music Store. The bar doubles as a music venue and the acoustics of the venue are optimized for live music. Whether it’s karaoke, an open mic night or a performance, the Whammy Bar has music every night of the week. Post up at the bar, play a game or get cozy in big squashy chairs while listening to music.

Sage Grouse Lounge

The Sage Grouse Lounge is open late on weekends, making it the perfect spot for a late-night cocktail or beer. Grab a drink and play pool, darts, or arcade games. The Sage Grouse also has snacks available for purchase.

The Alamo

The Alamo is one of Gunnison’s longest-standing institutions. This gritty bar conjures images of cowboy bars from when ranching was Gunnison’s biggest industry. Shoot pool while enjoying a drink, or a smoke in Gunnison’s only smoking bar.

The Powerstop

The Powerstop is a combo gas station, convenience store, restaurant and bar. The menu features burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, wings and bar appetizers. Beer and cider are served at the bar.

Quarters and Cocktails

Quarters and Cocktails is an arcade bar next door to the Powerstop. It is equipped with a mixture of nostalgic games and contemporary fun. The bar has board games, video game set-ups, old school and modern arcade games, Foosball, and a jukebox. The bar serves the whole Powerstop menu and has a craft cocktail menu.

Flip night

Head to the Powerstop on Wednesday nights for flip night. Flip a quarter and call heads or tails in the air. If you win, your beer is free, if you’re wrong, you pay. Go for best two out of three for a chance at a free pitcher of beer.

Alcohol-free nightlife in Gunnison

The word nightlife often comes with connotations of drinking and partying. Whether you’re NA or just want a mellow night, there are creative, alcohol-free nightlife options in Gunnison.

NA Nightlife in Gunnison and Almont

• Game night at Storyweaver Games
• Dance class at Gunnison Arts Center
• Concert at Western Colorado University
• Three Rivers Resort Pavilion Dance Series

Special events

Night of Lights

Gunnison’s annual tree lighting reroutes Highway 50 and draws a massive crowd. Local businesses and organizations set up booths to give out information, hot chocolate, candy canes and Christmas cheer. At the right time, everyone gathers around the giant Christmas tree at the top of South Main for Santa to light the tree and begin the holiday season. Many of the bars on Main Street offer drink specials and have live music after the tree lighting.

Art Walks

Head downtown every first Friday of the month for the Art Walk. All the galleries in town stay open late. Some galleries offer snacks and drinks and have musicians playing live music. Browse beautiful art inspired by the scenery of the Gunnison Valley. Maybe purchase one as a souvenir!

Almont Nightlife

Almont is about 10 miles north of Gunnison on Highway 135. Three Rivers Resort hosts the yearly Pavilion Dance Series every summer. This alcohol-free event creates space to gather, dance and listen to live music. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are available.

Almont Resort hosts live music outdoors in the summer. The party moves inside during colder months. Both properties are located just steps from the Almont RTA bus stop. Take advantage of free, valley-wide public transportation.

Pitkin Nightlife

Pitkin is about 27 miles northeast from Gunnison. The Stumbling Moose Lodge in Pitkin serves food and drinks. Stop by for live music every Friday during the summer. Catch karaoke on some Saturdays.

The Pitkin Hotel is a historic property that reopened in 2024. The on-property restaurant, the Bon Ton Bistro, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Weekly dinner specials include seafood boils, lobster, and braised short rib. Venue 1904 is an outdoor music venue equipped with a wood-fired pizza oven. Hear live music all summer while enjoying fresh pizza and cold drinks.

Visit Gunnison

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