The Best Happy Hours in Breck: A Local’s Guide

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After a long day of skiing or hiking, there’s nothing better than sitting back, kicking off your boots and enjoying a cold one (or two). Here are the best places in Breckenridge to go for happy hour deals.

We asked locals about their favorite happy hours in Breckenridge. Here’s what they had to say.

Aurum Food & Wine | 209 S Ridge St

(970) 771-3943

Price: $$
Gluten-Free Menu: No, but gluten-free options are available
Happy Hour: One of the best happy hour spots in Breck. 4-6 pm daily
The Deals: Half-priced apps, half-priced wines by the glass, half-priced draft beer and $8 classic cocktails
The Cherry on Top: The food is to-die-for, the atmosphere is lovely, and the servers are super friendly and accommodating
Local’s Guide: Since this place is so awesome, you will most likely be battling for a seat at the bar. Get there early! Also, we recommend whetting your whistle with the “Dr. Jones” or the “Americano Highball” Then top it off with the signature House Rolls and the French Onion Burger (the best burger in Breckenridge, in our humble opinion).

The Blue River Bistro | 305 N Main St

(970) 453-6974

Price: $$
Gluten-Free Menu: No, but gluten-free options are available
Happy Hour: 2-5 pm daily
The Deals: Two-for-one appetizer menu, two-for-one martinis
The Cherry on Top: Live music to groove to Mondays and Tuesdays, 5-10 pm
Local’s Guide: Try a martini! They have an extensive and diverse list. Check out the “Pear-Ginger-Mint” with Breck pear, ginger shrub mint, and lime.

Kenosha| 301 S. Main St

(970) 453-7313

Price: $$
Gluten-Free Menu: No, but gluten-free options are available
Happy Hour: 2-5 pm daily (bar only)
The Deals: Reduced drink and appetizer prices
The Cherry on Top: Do not skip out on the pawtio! Bring your furry friend and enjoy some time with friends in the sun.
Local’s Guide: A refreshing Ranch Water paired with Cheesy Elote Dip is the best way to cheer up the day.

Motherloaded Tavern | 103 S Main St

(970) 453-2572

Price: $$
Gluten-Free Menu: No, but gluten-free options are available
Happy Hour: 3-6 pm daily
The Deals: $1 beer, wine and shots; $2 off house infusion cocktails and discounted appetizers
The Cherry on Top: Live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Football specials on Sunday and Monday night. Check the events calendar for karaoke, trivia nights and late-night music. There is always something going on here!
Local’s Guide: Motherloaded has a laid-back vibe with friendly and attentive staff. Everything they make is from scratch. Try the Mac & Cheese Egg Rolls, Disco Tots or the Sweet Pepper Applewood Bacon (candied magical bacon deliciousness) and then toast marshmallows right at your table.

Mi Casa | 600 S Park Ave

(970) 453-2071

Price: $
Gluten-Free Menu: Yes
Happy Hour: 3-5 pm daily
The Deals: Enjoy great drink specials, 2 tacos for $8 and $10 wings
The Cherry on Top: Mi Casa has been a locals’ top choice for après ski since 1981. They have an impressive selection of Mexican cervezas and the largest tequila list in Summit County with over 100 offerings.
Local’s Guide: There are also free chips and salsa during happy hour. Check out the specialty margaritas made with freshly squeezed lime juice and your choice of tequila.

Hearthstone | 130 S Ridge St

(970) 453-1148

Price: $$
Gluten-Free Menu: Yes
Happy Hour: 4-6 pm daily in the lounge or on the patio in the summer
The Deals: Discounted appetizers and cocktails, $7 wines by the glass, 43 microbrews and domestic beers
The Cherry on Top: The Hearthstone is the perfect destination for a romantic date night.
Local’s Guide: Head upstairs for a small, secluded bar with phenomenal views of the town and mountains. Try the “Strawberry Serrano Mule” or the “Colorado Sazerac.”

Cecilia’s Cocktail Bar & Nightclub | 520 S Main St

(970) 453-2243

Price: $$
Gluten-Free Menu: No, gluten-free options available
Happy Hour: 3-8 pm daily
The Deals: 2-for-1 martinis, $3.50 empanadas and more
The Cherry on Top: Cecilia’s transforms into an incredible nightclub once the sun goes down. The dance floor is a riot and the cocktails are even better
Local’s Guide: Ask for the “Satan’s Soul Patch” cocktail. You won’t be disappointed! It’ll set your taste buds ablaze…literally.

Cheers!

 

Tip: Head to the Breck Deals page to find the best lodging in town!

Breck’s Booziest Bloody’s

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Bloody Mary’s: the glorious hair-of-the-dog libation that helps get you goin’ in the morning. After a late night out on the town, a Bloody Mary might be exactly what you need to kick-start your day. The Best of Breck Team ventured around the county and did some “research” on where to get the best hangover cure in a glass in Breckenridge. We turned to our own taste buds and reached out to locals so we could give you the inside scoop. Here’s who made the cut (not in any particular order):

Robbie’s Tavern | Base of Peak 8 | Breckenridge Ski Resort

GC8 Bloody – Three Olives Vodka with pickle, pepperoncini, olive and bacon skewer – $17

Robbie’s is a brand new, locally owned slopeside bistro with unparalleled views. Located right at the base of Peak 8 within the Grand Colorado on Peak 8, Robbie’s is the new hot spot to grab a drink après skiing. We checked out their bloody as advised by some locals, and were blown away. It was seriously good; the perfect mix of vodka and tomato juice, perfect spice, and topped with BACON. Yeah, bacon.

The Canteen | 208 N Main St | Breckenridge

Garden Bloody Mary – Three Olives Vodka and a spicy tomato juice with what really seems like the whole garden. – $16.50

The Canteen is a local’s favorite with a HUGE Bloody Mary served in a literal canteen cup. Make sure you carve out some time to drink this whole canteen. Just when you think it can’t get any better, it tastes almost better than it looks. Also, don’t forget to order a mini Coors Sidecar for only $1.75 extra!

Ullr Café | Grand Colorado on Peak 8, 1627 Ski Hill Rd | Breckenridge

Ullr Bloody Mary – Elevate Vodka, house-made Bloody Mary mix, pickle, olives, pepperoncini, lime, slice of bacon and a sausage roll.  $14.50

This Bloody Mary is no joke. Come hungry and thirsty and leave full with this boozy breakfast in a cup. It doesn’t stop there, though… the views make this journey up to Peak 8 all worth it. Enjoy your Bloody Mary outside on their patio looking at all the skiers coming down Peak 8 and hopping on the Colorado and Rocky Mountain SuperChairs.

The Motherloaded Tavern | 103 S Main St | Breckenridge

The Usual Suspects – Pick your house infused vodka: pickle or jalapeno. Paired with Zing Zang mixed and Served with bacon! $13

The Ultimate Bloody Mary – 32oz of the Usual Suspect with an extra gluttonous garnish of fun! -$20

MLT is known for their house infused booze, so of course, you get an infused vodka with your bloody. They garnish the Usual Suspect with a strip of bacon, olives, pepperoncini and olives. The Ultimate Bloody gets a little crazy. First of all, 32oz of booze. 32. OUNCES. Sign us up. Second of all, they garnish that baby with peppered bacon, a spam fry, and an entire chicken tender! Really reinforcing the whole ‘meal in a glass’ concept.

The Crown | 215 S Main St | Breckenridge

Bloody Mary – Breckenridge Vodka or Breckenridge Chili Chile Vodka, with a pickle, celery, jalapeno, pepperoncini, olive, lemon, and lime.

 Served in a mason jar. $12

If you’ve never been to the Crown, definitely check it out. Located in the heart of Breck, this mountain rustic coffee shop has delicious breakfast, lunch, coffee and BOOZE! Between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays you can indulge in everybody’s favorite morning cocktail among, a variety of other tantalizing spirits. We love that The Crown keeps it local with Breckenridge Distillery Vodka, as well as 9600 Bloody Mary Mix. Sprinkled with some of the classic garnishes, what’s not to love?!

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So next time you’re in Breck and stay out a little too late, head to one of these spots in Summit County for a delicious hangover cure. Remember, you can’t drink all day unless you start in the morning!

Cheers!

A Wine Tasting Tour of Breckenridge

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When you’re at nearly 10,000 feet in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, wine may not be exactly what comes to mind. However, in this small mountain town, you’ll be surprised to find a wide selection of wines sourced from the western slope of Colorado and all the way across the world. Wine aficionados, rejoice! We took ourselves on a wine tasting tour of Breckenridge so you can follow along and choose your perfect pour.  

Menus and wine glasses at Carboy Winery

Carboy Winery

103 N. Main Street | Hours: 12 to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 12 to 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday

Carboy Winery was the first stop on our wine tour of Breckenridge. Located in the historic Gold Pan Saloon, Carboy features an inviting tasting room with classic tin-plated ceilings and wine barrel walls.  

Beneath Carboy, you’ll find a Barrel Room where tanks of wine are connected to the taps in the tasting room upstairs. While most of the wine is produced at their location in Littleton, Carboy in Breckenridge does produce ciders on site! 

Choose from wine flights, full pours or even their Cold Vines Wine Seltzer and pair it all with specialty made charcuterie boards and shareable snacks.  

What we tried:  

We opted for the featured wine flight to sample a variety of wines all out of Grand Valley, Colorado. 

Blan.Co White Blend
Rosè of Horse Heaven Hills
Cabernet Sauvignon of Napa Valley

Bonus tip: Ask your server about the Barrel Room downstairs, you may be able to score an exclusive tour! Alternatively, you can schedule a private tour with a wine specialist ahead of your visit and be treated to a tasting of five select Carboy wines.  

Ridge Street Wine Sign

Ridge Street Wine

304 S. Main Street | Hours: 12 to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Closed Mondays

Tucked in a charming alley off Main Street, Ridge Street Wine is a cozy gathering place that provides wines from around the globe. Open for over 20 years, this locally owned establishment hand-selects the wines they serve and sell.  

Stop next door at Breckenridge Cheese & Chocolate, owned by the same purveyors, to buy a bottle, a farm cheese or small batch chocolates. 

What we tried:  

Commuter Cuvee Pinot Noir
Allen Scott Sauvignon Blanc 

Bonus tip: On Wednesday nights enjoy a wine and cheese pairing or start your weekend with a flight of three half glasses of wine on Friday nights.  

Try Colorado Wine Sign and Wine Glasses/Bottle on table

Continental Divide Winery

505 S. Main Street | Hours: 2 to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 12 to 8 p.m. Saturday , 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday

The last stop on our wine tour of Breckenridge had to be Continental Divide Winery. This winery holds the title of the world’s highest altitude winery with all their wines being produced at 10,361 feet in Fairplay, Colorado. Making wine at such an altitude results in a slower and gentler fermentation process creating truly unique flavor profiles.  

This warm and inviting tasting room is within walking distance of the Quicksilver Chairlift on Peak 9 so you can go from the slopes to après ski in no time.  

What we tried: 

We had to try the Special Limited Release Flight featuring wines made from grapes in both Colorado and California.  

Blanc de Blancs (Methode Champenoise)
Riverside Cabernet Sauvignon (Grand Valley, Colorado)
Colorado Storm (Cabernet Sauvignon/Petite Sirah/Cab Franc)
Dillinger’s Ridge Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Bonus tip: The Cheese Shop is located right across from Continental Divide Winery. When you’re ready to head home, purchase a cheese box to pair with your new favorite wine.   

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