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Steamboat Springs bars make top 10 list for best après ski

Audrey Dwyer
T Bar hosts Steamboat's newest on-mountain free concert series, Apres Sessions. The series kicks off Sunday, March 8 at 3 p.m.
John F. Russell





Tim Scalo, left, and Michael Ricker enjoy a drink on the deck of T Bar at the base of Steamboat Ski Area on Friday afternoon. T Bar ranked second on a national list of top 10 après-ski destinations compiled by Foursquare.
John F. Russell

— Two Steamboat Springs bars located at the base of Steamboat Ski Area were named to a national top 10 après-ski list compiled by Foursquare.

Patrons enjoy Slopeside Grill at the base of Steamboat Ski Area on Friday afternoon. Slopeside was ranked No. 6 on a national list of top 10 après-ski destinations compiled by Foursquare.John F. Russell

T Bar ranked No. 2 with an 8.7 rating, and Slopeside Grill made the list in sixth place with an 8.6 rating.

Foursquare, a mobile search and discovery app that provides personalized recommendations of the best places to go within a user’s current location, released the list of the country’s top 10 “wintry watering holes” for après-ski locations this week.



According to Foursquare representatives, businesses were ranked on a one to 10 scale with 10 being the best. Ratings were determined by factors such as likes, dislikes, popularity, loyalty, local expertise and references from 6 billion check-ins from more than 55 million people worldwide.

Results are based on a proprietary algorithm using indicators like tastes and tip language.



Each specific location shows users how many people have rated it. For example, Kaplan-Nadel said, at Slopeside Grill, there have been 26 votes and 2,102 total visits.

One user of the app describes T Bar as an “awesome après ski bar with lots of locals. They have killer food, too! Unique menu that won’t disappoint. Try the soft pulled pork tacos, pork belly BLT and peanut butter panini.”

Another Foursquare user tagged Slopeside Grill as a “fun après ski hangout! Cheep beer, good (but small) pizza, friendly staff.”

A five-star dive bar, the T Bar is known for having a friendly, welcoming relaxed atmosphere. Tres Holloway — owner, manager and chef of the ski-in, ski-out bar — said that when it first opened, they had kegs as stools because of the limited seating. Now, they have grown to have about 250 seats.

“We pride ourselves on maintaining the local mountain culture here,” Holloway said. “We are for the snow enthusiasts by the snow enthusiasts.”

Known for their pizza, ice bar fixture for après ski and live music, Slopeside Grill is another ski-in, ski-out spot visitors and locals enjoy.

“We are pretty psyched about the rating and anything to bring attention to Steamboat and the mountain,” said Mike Coy, manager at Slopeside Grill. “We want to remain that casual family friendly place to enjoy after skiing or for a late-night happy hour.”

There were only three bars in Colorado that made Foursquare’s top 10 list. The third was The Little Nell in Aspen with a 8.6 rating and fifth-place ranking.

2014 Top 10 Après-Ski Bars

River Run Day Lodge — Ketchum, ID

“The round house is awesome. Great views and tasty meals. The gondola takes you right there in total comfort.”

T Bar — Steamboat Springs, CO

“Awesome après ski bar with lots of locals. They have killer food, too! Unique menu that won’t disappoint. Try the soft pulled pork tacos, pork belly BLT, and peanut butter panini.”

Cuzzin’s Bar & Grill — West Dover, VT

“Come early and get a table. It gets busy quick and you want a good seat to enjoy the DJ and après party! Great music for the mid-thirty crowd ;-)”

Ski Hill Grill — Breckenridge, CO

“The chicken pot pie soup is amazing. Comes with a little puffed pastry. It will rock your world”

The Little Nell — Aspen, CO

“F&W’s Dana Cowin and Editor Ray Isle like to swing by late to see which wine geeks are drinking with sommelier Jonathan Pullis and what they’re pouring—usually rare, French, insanely good bottles.”

Slopeside Grill — Steamboat Springs, CO

Why You Should Go: “Fun après ski hangout! Cheep beer, good (but small) pizza, friendly staff.”

Tom’s Loft Tavern — Ludlow, VT

“Get the nachos supreme and enjoy the VT craft beer!”

The Mill Cafe — Mammoth Lakes, CA

“Best pulled pork sandwich in the world. Have a beer with it.”

Ice Bar — Alpine Meadows, CA

“Back of the mountain haven. Brahs are dreamy, sun is steamy, perfect place to pop open a Sierra Nevada and soak in some afternoon rays.”

Castlerock Pub — Warren, VT

“Excellent après-ski scene. A little bit of a challenge to get a table, but once seated, a great time. Lots of beers on tap.”

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@SteamboatToday.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1


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