By Darrin Fryer

 

An Australian-born native, Darrin has lived in Steamboat Springs for 12 years with his wife, Shari, and their twins, Jaydon and Jaxson. He’s an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for fun and sport. With friends, family and clients coming to town from all over the world, the Fryers are well-practiced, unofficial tour guides. Fryer is one of Sotheby International’s top producing realtors.

NIGHT 1

Nothing says Steamboat in the evening more than Western atmosphere and a quality steak on a budget from the Sunset Menu at the Ore House. For around $17-$20, you’ll be loving choices from baby back ribs to sirloin cooked to perfection with the best salad bar in town – and all in a 100+ year-old barn with old West artifacts. Or for something more sophisticated, head into town and enjoy an amazing culinary experience at bistro c.v. – one of my all-time favorite places to dine. You won’t be disappointed. And their martinis are the best in town.

After dinner, head over to McKnights Irish Pub at Marketplace Plaza on the mountain for live music or regular open mic nights. Take on a buddy for a game of ping pong, billiards, or darts in the family friendly upstairs rec room.

NIGHT 2

Ski resorts are known for the quality of their après ski offerings, and Steamboat has some of the best happy hours anywhere.

To start your night early, right after your last run, swing by the T-Bar. This place is
 a locals’ hangout and one of the best-kept

secrets at the base of the mountain. It looks like a shack (actually, it is a shack). But it is a worthy watering hole with surprisingly great snacks and thirst- quenching beer options.

Drop by Truffle Pig to enjoy classic guitar tunes from a local musician while you snack on the restaurant’s famous truffle fries. Sit by the outdoor fire soaking up the evening atmosphere with a classy cocktail. If the kids and friends haven’t had enough fun during the day, you can take to the slopes again for night skiing under the lights.

NIGHT 3

Ending the day with a quality massage and a soak at the Old Town Hot Springs is the ideal precursor for a night out in Steamboat’s downtown. Or limber up with 5 p.m. hot yoga at Virve Yoga before preparing for the evening ahead.

Yampa Street, with its canopy of fairy lights, is now the heart of Steamboat’s dining district. The restaurants are awesome and there is a huge variety. My personal favorites are Sake2U, E3 Chop House, Sweet Pea and Carl’s Tavern. It’s still Steamboat, but with
a new vibe of sophisticated fair. Wander
up to Lincoln Avenue and step into one of downtown’s historic landmarks, The Old Town Pub. Once the town’s first hospital, post office and dance hall, the pub is a place to boogie the night away to live music or to chill out with a specialty drink and soak up the ambience.

For a family night, the best kid-friendly atmosphere can be found at Mazzola’s on Lincoln. Children get to shape and mold their own dough and draw on the tables. The Chief Theater is only a block away and its movie nights make for the perfect ending to a night on the town