Nobody tells you that Vail after dark is insane. By day, it’s all Gore-Tex and gravity. By night? It’s champagne fights at cloud nine, torch-lit ski runs, and mountain bars buzzing with energy from the slopes.
Looking for the best things to do in Vail at night? From midnight sledding to secret speakeasies inside ski shops, this isn’t your average mountain town in Colorado. The morning crowd might queue for first tracks, but trust me on this one – the real magic starts when the slopes empty and the stars come out. Up here at 8,150 feet, the nightlife hits differently!
- 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend doing this inflatable kayak trip down the Colorado River! They take you paddling through epic rapids and cliff-lined canyons, plus let you choose your own adventure in a single or double kayak. You also get up close with eagles and bighorn sheep away from the crowded raft trips. This river run is a must-do on a Colorado itinerary in my opinion.
Best Things to Do in Vail, CO at Night (2025 Guide)
Are you ready to explore the most unique things to do in Vail, CO in the nighttime? As mentioned earlier, there’s a wide range of exciting activities in Vail after dark. Keep reading to find where to go in Vail, CO at night.
1. Bowl and drink at Bol
Deca + Bol in Vail Village actually delivers on the upscale bowling experience they promise. You’re paying $35 per person for 1.5 hours (shoes included), which honestly isn’t terrible for Vail standards. I was skeptical about fancy bowling, but the 10 custom white lanes really do feel different from your typical alley.
The food situation is way better than expected. We’re talking gourmet flatbreads and sliders that you can munch on between frames, not the usual bowling alley nachos. The cocktails are solid too, though you’ll definitely pay Vail prices. What I like most is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously – you can still be terrible at bowling and have a great time.
The vibe gets more adult after 10 PM when it becomes 21+, so plan accordingly if you’re bringing kids. Book ahead because this place fills up fast, especially on weekends. It’s located right in Solaris Plaza, so you can easily walk here from anywhere in the village.
2. Ride the Eagle Bahn Gondola at night
The Eagle Bahn Gondola runs until 9 PM during winter, and here’s the best part – it’s completely free after 3:30 PM if you have a ski pass. Even if you don’t ski, a scenic gondola ticket runs about $59-65, which gets you round-trip access all day.
The night rides are honestly magical. I’ve done this probably 20 times and it never gets old watching Vail Village light up below as you rise up the mountain. The 8-minute ride gives you plenty of time to take photos and actually process the views instead of rushing past them.
At the top, Eagle’s Nest usually has a fire pit going and sometimes live music. Even in winter, they’ll have hot chocolate and basic food available. The real draw though is just being up there at 10,000 feet with the whole valley spread out beneath you. Pro tip: dress warmly because it’s always colder up there than you think it’ll be.
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3. Eat at Vail’s gourmet restaurants
Sweet Basil has been Vail’s food scene anchor since 1977, and despite some recent mixed reviews, it’s still worth experiencing at least once. They’re open for dinner 5-10 PM most nights, with lunch Wednesday through Sunday. Expect to spend $40-60 per entree, but the creative menu that blends global flavors usually delivers.
Mountain Standard takes a completely different approach with their wood-fired cooking. I actually prefer it to Sweet Basil – the food feels more honest and the creek-side location is perfect for dinner. Their open wood fire gives everything this smoky, rustic flavor that works perfectly after a day on the mountain.
Both restaurants get crazy busy, so make reservations well ahead of time. If you can’t get a table, try going for drinks at the bar – both have solid cocktail programs. The food scene in Vail has definitely stepped up over the years, so even if these two are full, you’ve got plenty of other solid options in the village.
4. Night ski at Keystone Resort
Keystone Resort is about 30 minutes from Vail and offers the best night skiing in Colorado. The cool thing is that night skiing is included with your regular lift ticket at no extra cost – probably the best value you’ll find on any mountain.
Night skiing runs select weekends and holidays through March 29, 2025, usually 4-8 PM. They light up 243 acres of terrain, including parts of their A51 terrain park. I love hitting Keystone around 4 PM when the grooming cats finish up – you get fresh corduroy runs for the rest of the evening.
The River Run Gondola stays open to take you to the top, and there’s usually a decent crowd but nothing like the daytime madness. The mountain feels completely different under the lights – quieter, more peaceful, but still plenty of terrain to explore. Just remember it gets cold fast once the sun goes down, so layer up properly or you’ll be miserable.
- Read next: Best Places to Visit in Colorado in Winter
5. Check out live music venues
Shakedown Bar is where you go for serious live music in Vail. They keep capacity low on purpose, so shows feel intimate and you’re always close to the action. This 21+ venue opens at 4 PM most days and runs shows until 2 AM. I’ve seen some surprisingly good bands here – way better than you’d expect in a ski town.
The Red Lion has been doing the après-ski music thing since 1963, and they’ve got it figured out. Local musicians play in the late afternoon and again in the evening. The vibe is more casual than Shakedown – families during the day, adults taking over later. Their patio is legendary on sunny days.
Both venues book different types of acts, so check their calendars before you commit to one. Bridge Street Bar also does live music with DJs in separate rooms if you want more variety. The music scene in Vail Village has really picked up in recent years, so you can actually bar-hop between venues and catch different acts.
6. Get spa treatments in the evening
The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Vail stays open until evening and honestly saved my legs after some brutal ski days. A 90-minute massage runs around $300-400, which is steep but not crazy for Four Seasons standards. I always book the alpine stone therapy – it’s perfect after being outside all day.
The Arrabelle also has solid spa services with a more relaxed vibe. Their treatments focus on mountain recovery, so they actually understand what your body needs after skiing or hiking. The hot stone massages are incredible, and they’ll usually have evening availability even when daytime slots are booked.
Both spas offer couples treatments if you’re looking for something romantic. Book at least a few days ahead because spa slots fill up fast in Vail. The treatments are expensive, but honestly, there’s nothing better than a good massage after a long day on the mountain – your body will thank you.
7. Walk through Vail Village at night
Vail Village at night feels like walking through a European fairy tale, especially with fresh snow on the ground. The whole pedestrian area lights up beautifully, and you can wander from shop to shop without worrying about cars.
The cobblestone paths and alpine architecture look amazing under the street lamps. I love walking through after dinner – it’s peaceful but not dead, with just enough people around to keep things interesting. The shops stay open late during peak season, so you can actually do some browsing instead of just window shopping.
Gore Creek runs right through the village, and the sound of water adds this perfect background soundtrack to your evening stroll. Even in winter when it’s freezing, the village stays lively with people heading between restaurants and bars. It’s one of those simple pleasures that doesn’t cost anything but makes your Vail experience feel complete.
8. Go snowshoeing under the stars
Walking Mountains Science Center offers free guided snowshoe tours Wednesday through Saturday at the Nature Discovery Center on top of Vail Mountain. You’ll need a gondola ticket to get up there (around $59-65), but the snowshoe tour itself is completely free.
The tours run 10:30 AM-12 PM and 1:30-3 PM, lasting about 1.5 hours. Your naturalist guide teaches you about winter ecology while you trek through snow-covered forests with incredible mountain views. I did this last winter and learned more about how animals survive up here than I expected.
They provide the snowshoes, but you need to come prepared – snow pants, warm hat, gloves, and sturdy boots are essential. The tours are suitable for ages 10 and up, and honestly, most fitness levels can handle it. They also offer special full-moon snowshoe tours on select nights that include a campfire experience, which sounds amazing but fills up fast.
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9. Drink craft beer at Vail Brewing Company
Vail Brewing Company has two locations, but I prefer their Vail Village taproom in Solaris Plaza. They’re open 11 AM-10 PM most days and pour everything from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts. The Gore Creek IPA and Hot Mess Blonde are local favorites that actually live up to the hype.
What makes this place special is the atmosphere – they’ve got fire pits outside with views of the ice skating rink, plus that ski chairlift hanging inside is pretty cool. The beer prices are reasonable for Vail (around $7-9 per pint), and they often have taco trucks parked outside serving $3 loaded tacos.
I always bring friends here when they visit because it feels authentically Vail without being pretentious. The staff knows their beer and will let you sample before committing. It gets busy during après-ski hours (4-7 PM), so come early or late if you want a more relaxed experience.
10. Join the après-ski scene
Bart & Yeti’s and Garfinkel’s are the epicenter of Vail’s après-ski scene, and both deliver exactly what you’d expect. These places get packed between 4-7 PM with people still in ski gear, sharing stories from the day and definitely getting loud.
The drink specials during après-ski hours make the prices almost reasonable – think $8 beers instead of $12. The food is perfect refueling material: loaded nachos, wings, burgers that hit the spot after burning calories all day. I love the energy at both places, even when they’re completely chaotic.
Garfinkel’s tends to draw a slightly younger crowd while Bart & Yeti’s gets more locals and repeat visitors. Both have great patios when the weather cooperates. The après-ski scene is one of those Vail traditions that hasn’t changed much over the years – it’s still about celebrating the day on the mountain with whoever happens to be there.
11. Go stargazing with astronomy tours
Vail Astronomy Nights happens at various scenic locations around Vail throughout the year. These events feature professional astronomers with high-quality telescopes, so you’re seeing way more than you could with the naked eye.
The high altitude and clear mountain air make Vail perfect for stargazing. I went to one last summer and we could see Saturn’s rings clearly – definitely not something you experience every day. The astronomers are passionate about what they do and great at explaining what you’re looking at in terms that actually make sense.
Check their Facebook page for upcoming events since the schedule varies. They usually charge a small fee (around $15-20) but provide all the equipment and expertise. Dress warmly even in summer because mountain temperatures drop fast at night. These events fill up quickly, so register as soon as you see one that works with your schedule.
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12. Sit by fire pits at The Arrabelle
The Arrabelle at Vail Square has this amazing outdoor fire pit area that’s perfect for ending your evening. Even if you’re not staying there, you can grab drinks and claim a spot by the fire. The alpine architecture and mountain views create this cozy, luxurious atmosphere.
They often provide s’mores kits, which sounds cheesy but is actually pretty fun after a few drinks. The seating is comfortable with plush chairs and blankets available when it gets cold. I love coming here around 8-9 PM when things quiet down from the dinner rush.
The location right in Vail Square makes it easy to walk to from anywhere in the village. Drinks are expensive (this is The Arrabelle after all), but the setting makes it worth splurging occasionally. It’s one of those simple pleasures that captures what makes Vail special – incredible mountain setting with just the right amount of luxury.
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