The Vail area offers a wide variety of nightlife from the upscale to
the downhome and Keystone, to be perfectly frank, does not cater to
ravers. This is really a resort for families and that tones down the
wilder spirits.
On the other hand, look at the facilities. Night skiing
until 9:00 pm, sleigh rides, ice skating, snowmobiling and tennis. Of
the 20 bars in the resort, the Goat is the locals’ hangout for all
ages; Kickapoo Tavern attracts the 25–35 group, as it’s close to the
slopes and is a good place to see and be seen; Ski Tip has high-end
cocktails in a cozy, romantic setting, for mostly 35 . Kickapoo is
the “sports bar” at Keystone and twentysomethings go there to catch
their favorite games. LaBonte’s Cabin is another place to seek
Keystone’s après-ski vibe. Liquor and licensing laws are strict in
Colorado with no open containers except at restaurants and in
designated events/locations, and a minimum age for consuming alcohol of
21. However, children can accompany parents in bars and other places
serving alcohol and there are no closing time restrictions.
There are 35 restaurants in the resort catering mainly to families.
They range from Kickapoo, a sports bar with appetizers and
burgers, to Parrot Eyes for Mexican food if you're budget-minded, through
to Summit Seafood Company, serving fresh seafood, Bighorn for
mid-wallet spenders looking for prime rib and salad bar, and the
aforementioned Ski Tip, Keystone Ranch, and Alpenglow Stube for more
pricey meals. The Ranch has been voted Colorado’s Number One restaurant
in a recent Denver/Salt Lake City Zagat Survey.
There are several nightclubs: Kickapoo, Snake River Saloon, The Green
Light, Parrot Eyes, Great Northern Tavern and the Last Lift Bar all
with live music of different kinds, drink specials, and
a cool night scene.
