Known for its great skiing and snowboarding, fantastic outdoor activities, and rich history, the charming town of Breckenridge ranks among the top destinations in Colorado.
And here's the exciting part: Breckenridge doesn't quiet down early! After sundown, the city truly comes alive offering countless activities, from exceptional restaurants, pubs, and breweries to lively nightclubs and bars featuring live music. Let's not forget the fantastic spots for Après-Ski in Breckenridge.
For those with a penchant for mystery and excitement, Breckenridge also offers intriguing options for a thrilling night out.
With venues dotted throughout the town, this blog serves as your ultimate nightlife guide to Breckenridge, Colorado, highlighting the best activities once twilight descends.
Let's dive into the vibrant nightlife of Breckenridge!
Best Après Ski spots in Breckenridge, CO
Tbar
At the base of Peak 8 and already considered one of the best après-ski bars not just in Breckenridge but in all of North America, T-Bar is a favorite for locals and visitors alike.
The menu includes a wide variety of craft beers, cocktails, and amazing shareable appetizers. Even though they have both indoor and outdoor seating, this place can get crowded and loud, but it's definitely a good pick if you're looking for where the action is.
Après Handcrafted Libations
Inside a lovely vintage 1890 building and lovingly known by locals just as "Apres," with a very friendly and relaxing vibe, this place is like a great little gem on Main Street that offers an impressive collection of beers on tap and very creative and original cocktails. If you choose the latter, the staff is usually great at explaining the different ingredients. Overall, this is a great place with a great mountain vibe to go after some shopping or a stroll around downtown Breckenridge, for a pre or post-dinner cocktail, or an afternoon après-ski session.
MI CASA
Sitting just across from Peak 9 Village, MI CASA is great for après-ski, but, as the name suggests, with a bit of a Mexican flavor. This happy, casual Mexican restaurant and bar in Downtown Breck is a favorite traveler's choice and is great for dinner, happy hour, and even late night.
The food is flavorful, and the margaritas are to die for. Chicken wings, tacos, and great margaritas are the perfect complement to a day of skiing. Aren't they?
Best Dining & Wine spots in Breckenridge, CO
Blue River Bistro
With a sophisticated feel reminiscent of city dining, this lively Italian-American restaurant is well-known for its hand-crafted cocktails as well as artisanal wines. Still, their food doesn't fall behind — everything, both drinkables and edibles, is season-inspired and made with the freshest ingredients. From risotto with salmon to burrata, from burgers with fries to the dessert of chocolate mousse and vanilla ice cream, everything is to die for.
The ambiance is fantastic, with live jazz and blues throughout the week. This city-like, classy decor and ambiance stand out in the mountains!
Traverse Restaurant and Bar
Overlooking the Breckenridge Valley, this restaurant boasts the most beautiful view of the mountains, picturesque windows, and a very large deck perfect for photos. With all that, you might not expect much from the food, but rest assured, it's simply fabulous. The trout is famous in the region, and the experience makes for a great start to your evening out. Sunsets are quite a hit here. Overall, it offers a nice atmosphere that feels more secluded and calm than the rest of Breckenridge.
Continental Divide Winery
Outdoor fire tables with some wine high up in the Rocky Mountains? Count us in! They say this family-owned winery is the highest in the world. Their motto is "Using Altitude to Make Naturally Better Wine."
The Breckenridge ambiance is great. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and with their tasting room experience, you can sample their award-winning creations. You can even sign up for a wine blending class, which might feel like a boozy science experiment, but it's certainly a fun thing to do on a night out.
Best Bars, Pubs & Nightclubs in Breckenridge, CO
Breckenridge Brewery
Colorado is famous for its brewery culture, and this place, the first brewery in Breckenridge, attests to that fame. Already an institution in the city, it offers a wide selection of beers, ranging from traditional ales and lagers to sours, saisons, and barrel-aged beers, all great for pairing with food.
If you sit by the bar, you'll see and learn about their brewing process, and you can ask questions to the brewery staff. The brewery is right behind the bar, and you can even take a brewery tour. They also boast breathtaking views of the mountains from their dining room and patio. 
Breckenridge Distillery
We've mentioned the world's highest winery; now let's delve into the world's highest distillery. Nestled on a mountainside, this coveted tasting room and bar works alongside a restaurant helmed by a celebrity chef. This unique pairing allows for private tours where you can sample their award-winning bourbon, vodka, and gin, followed by a delightful dinner.
They're particularly renowned for their blended bourbon whiskey, crafted in the American high-rye mash style. Additionally, they offer private tastings paired with chocolates and more. With knowledgeable guides and exceptional tastings, it's an experience not to be missed.
RITA'S
This trendy basement eatery & bar is another Mexican favorite in town and is a must-visit Breckenridge for a night out. While it exudes the charm of a cozy hole in the wall, the atmosphere is vibrant and inviting.
Guests can customize their tacos, selecting the meat, type of tortilla, and additional toppings, all while sipping on delightful margaritas and craft beer. As the website highlights, Thursday nights are trivia nights. Moreover, they proudly proclaim, "Every day is a beach party down in the basement of Rita's!
Cecilia's Martini Bar & Nightclub
Feeling like dancing? In 2017, this venue was ranked among the top 10 places to dance in Colorado. Cici’s, as locals call it, was established in 1996 as Breckenridge's first Martini Bar; it quickly evolved into a premier cocktail bar and nightclub.
The venue is huge, featuring distinct rooms with different vibes, catering to everyone's preferences. Whether you're seeking a laid-back evening with friends and friendly locals, enjoying board games, or, as many do, dancing the night away, there's something for everyone. With an outstanding DJ, great music, and a lively crowd, it's the perfect spot to unwind after a full day of fun.
The Gold Pan Saloon
Talking about a local institution! Established in 1879 during the gold rush era in Colorado, the Gold Pan Saloon proudly claims to hold the longest continuous liquor license west of the Mississippi.
While not a fancy spot, it exudes a delightful old-fashioned Western charm both inside and out on their backyard patio. They serve fantastic food and drinks, with their Bloody Marys, burgers, and garlic fries being particular favorites.
Best Live Music venues in Breckenridge, CO
Napper Tandy's
With live music every Friday and Saturday, it's the perfect spot to enjoy some live bands while in town. Known for its laid-back and unpretentious atmosphere, excellent service, and reasonably priced drinks — especially during happy hour — this venue is celebrated not only for its stellar music selections but also as a fantastic environment to watch a game.
Breckenridge AirStage
How about a concert on the road, right in your neighborhood? Breck Create, an art, culture, and creative group, has a mobile stage called the Breckenridge AirStage. Housed in a retrofitted Airstream Trailer from 1975, their performances make waves in town.
Generally, these are free events to connect everyone in Breckenridge. While in town, it's worth checking their social media channels to see if something worthwhile is on.
What about something spooky for a night out in Breckenridge, CO?
Ghostly Tales Tour
How about something a little more spooky to start your night out in Breckenridge? Popular with visitors since 2010, the Breckenridge Ghost Tour's Ghostly Tales is the original ghost tour in town. It will take you to the darker sides of local history.
The very knowledgeable and engaging tour guides delve into the Wild West past, the gold rush era, and the inhabitants of haunted homes, and share chilling tales of ghosts that, as they claim, roam the town. This fun, interesting, and quite spooky thing to do while in town!
A Nightlife Guide to Breckenridge, Colorado: Top Things to Do After Sundown
Breckenridge is great night and day and all year round. When you plan a visit to this stunning mountain town, it's always a great idea to check an updated guide to the best nightlife things to do in Breckenridge; new venues pop up all the time, bringing more exciting concepts and opportunities to meet locals and have a great night out.
Where to Stay During Your Nature Getaway to Breckenridge, CO? While in town, why not stay in style with the great backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in one of the most iconic rental properties Breckenridge has to offer?
At Great Western Lodging, we offer a superior selection of luxury properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodgings, some of which are pet-friendly.
Staying in one of our properties, we guarantee you'll have nothing less than a 5-star experience during your trip to Breckenridge.