Happy Hour! Those two little words can be music to the ears after a busy day of adventures in the mountains. So, where do you go in Winter Park when you’re parched and needing a libation with a side of good eats?
Well, the truth is there are a TON of options. So, we’ve narrowed the list down to our Top 5 Winter Park Happy Hour deals (best food & drink specials) and our Top 5 après with atmosphere (location & ambience).
What do you think? Did we get it right, or do you have a Winter Park gem we forgot? Comment below!
Winter Park’s Top 5 Après with Atmosphere
#1 Heck’s Tavern at Devils Thumb Ranch
TREMENDOUS! Gorgeous views and really excellent mixed/specialty drink selections. Plus they’ve got some yummy small plates/appetizers that work perfectly. They are the Waygu (fancy, tasty beef) experts up here so if you’re able, savor their DTR Waygu burger…so worth it!
#2 Fraser Valley Distilling
These folks know what they’re doing! A microbiologist is your bartender, what more could you want? Wonderful spirits that they make, right there, and really great food to boot. Super easy location right off the highway in downtown Fraser. Don’t blink you might miss it. Grandhattan all the way…you’re in Grand County after all! And they’d love to give you a tour of the place, truly passionate folks.
Bring your dog…they’re always welcomed, nay, encouraged! Here’s where to go if you want to beer-thirty like a local. And you just go next door and “grab a dog” (hot-dog that is) at Fraser Valley Hot Dog when you need some sustenance. Learn about their home brews here.
#4 Idlewild Spirits Brewpub & Restaurant
Great selection of cocktails made with their in-house vodkas, rums, whiskey & gin; plus mix and match appetizers and main plates that will 
satisfy your appetite. Local’s tip – head downstairs to the cozy cask room for a quieter spot. See their full line up of food and drinks.
If you’re staying at the Winter Park Resort and are looking for a great end of day drink or dinner, Vertical is where to go. You can bike or ski right on down and park your stuff outside. I know this isn’t typical happy hour fare but the Hail Mary is just silly. Food and drink all in one!
Winter Park’s Top 5 Happy Hour Deals
#1 The Ditch On 40
Yummy south of border type food (but great burgers/sammies too) and excellent Margaritas! Although they offer extra discounted food and drink specials, their prices are always great…so if you want to make happy hour a lunch affair, do it here. They also have a great second floor deck, perfect if you want to sit out over it all and see what’s happenin’ in town.
#2 Deno’s Mountain Bistro
Long standing local’s joint with a great happy hour menu and drinks specials between 3 PM – 6 PM every day. Traditional steakhouse favorites, plus Greek influenced specials that will have you returning again and again. Oh, and the wine menu is EXTENSIVE – well worth a happy hour visit.
#3 Pepe Osaka’s Fish Taco Tequila Bar & Grill
Mmmmm….fresh and delicious fish tacos with the the best margarita menu. Enjoy the cool, latin vibe and modern mexican fare (with a little twist of japan to boot). Good food and drink specials from 4-6 most days; this is a smaller restaurant that fills up fast, so arrive early to get a table.
#4 Derailer Bar at Winter Park Resort
Drinks with a view (and maybe a show??). Derailer bar sits at the bottom of the ski resort with great slope views of all the action. Listen for the whistle at 4 PM and enjoy some bargain apps and drinks while you watch the rest of the stragglers make it down off the mountain.
#5 Tabernash Tavern
This is one of the Winter Park area’s very best restaurants with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and extensive menu that changes with seasonally sourced items. It’s pricey….BUT if you visit during their happy hour, you can get amazing apps, craft brews and wines for a very reasonable buck.
Makes we want to go and try all the Winter Park happy hours!
