Best Happy Hour in Steamboat Springs: Top 10 in Town

Looking for the best happy hours in Steamboat Springs? Look no further!

Located in the Colorado mountain resort region of Yampa Valley, Steamboat Springs is one of the best American cities for happy hour for many reasons.

First, most restaurants in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, offer a daily happy hour. That’s right, even on Friday and Saturday!

Second, all 10 of the delicious destination locations on this list are located in the heart of Steamboat Springs. That means you can happy hour hop from one to another and have a fun progressive dinner full of discounted drinks and food.

Third, happy hour in Steamboat Springs offers a wide variety. Whether you’re looking for an exclusively culinary journey, world-famous cocktails, or a casual pint with the locals, we have a Steamboat happy hour for you.

Tacos for happy hour in Steamboat Springs — Happy hour in Steamboat Springs could mean tacos, pizza, burgers, or gourmet foodie fare.

I could go on, but you’re better off reading the list. How did we make this list? After a vacation at Vista Verde Ranch last winter, my husband and I stayed with a good friend who lives in Steamboat Springs.

She was incredibly knowledgeable about all things Steamboat, and she did an amazing job introducing us to some of her favorite happy hours in town. After trying out a bunch of additional spots, we came up with the best of the best. Here they are!

Happy Hour in Steamboat Springs

1. Aurum Food & Wine Steamboat

Located on the Yampa River, Aurum is considered one of the best dining experiences in downtown Steamboat Springs.

For those who know the Aurum in the town of Breckinridge (another of my favorite Colorado destinations) or the other popular restaurants run by Destination Hospitality Group (Periodic Table, Table 70, The Carlin), this is probably not a surprise.

But what might surprise you is that Aurum also has one of the best happy hours in Steamboat Springs.

Happy Hour Food

Small plates take center stage at happy hour. The Parker House rolls (a famous Boston food) are at the low end of the price scale at $5. The Aurum nachos with carnitas are at the high end, at $18.

I loved the Korean fried chicken with red onions, the crispy Brussels sprouts, and the crispy curried cauliflower—all of which are in the middle of the price range.

Drink Deals

A handful of craft cocktails are offered for $9, wines are discounted by $3 a glass, and draft beers go for $5 apiece.

Where & When

Aurum Food & Wine Steamboat: 811 Yampa St, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Happy Hour: Daily 4:00–6:00 pm

2. Truffle Pig

Steamboat happy hour with a view at Truffle Pig

Looking for a Steamboat Springs happy hour with a view of skiers swooshing down the mountain? If so, outdoor dining at the Truffle Pig is the answer.

Just a stone’s throw from the slopes, it’s a great place for après ski and comfort food.  

Happy Hour Food

Discounted menu items include pork sliders, fried artichokes with Calabrian chilis, bacon-wrapped dates, and a ½-pound Wagyu beef burger.

The Truffle Pig fries with a mountain of shaved Grana Padana (one of the most popular cheeses of Italy) are a humungous portion, especially for only $12.

Many of the other tasty options are at or near that same price point, but for a big splurge, the large charcuterie board perfect for sharing rings up at $35.

Drink Deals

Beers start at $2.50, cocktails at $6.00, and all wines by the glass are 50% off.

Where & When

Truffle Pig: One Steamboat Place, 2250 Après Ski Way, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Happy Hour: Daily 4:00–5:30 pm
Note: Truffle Pig closes for the fall shoulder season. 

3. Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails

Happy hour salad at Laundry — A happy hour salad at Laundry can add a touch of healthy to the evening.

Housed in the historic Soda Creek Building, Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails is one of the best restaurants in Steamboat Springs for farm-to-table dining.

Happy Hour Food

Don’t let the small seasonal menu fool you, there’s plenty of great food to order at Laundry. In fact, it’s one of the best places for a happy hour salad ($9).

All bites like blistered shishitos, pimento cheese, and brisket potatoes are also $9. Gourmet street tacos (short rib, shrimp, or fried avocado) are 3 for $12.

Drink Deals

Wine drinkers arrive early: Prices are the same as the time you order them! While Laundry is one of the best happy hour spots for wine drinkers, beer lovers may be disappointed with only 3 specials, ranging in price from $3.50 to $5: Bud, Coors Light, and a craft IPA. My beer-drinking husband opted for a glass of white wine and managed to become quite happy anyway. 

Where & When

Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails: 127 11th St, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Happy Hour: Daily 4:30–5:30 pm

4. Mambo Italiano

Half-off pizzas makes Mambo one of the best happy hours in Steamboat Springs.

One of the most popular Steamboat Springs dining destinations for Italian food also has some of the best happy hour deals.

And when I say “Italian food,” I mean the gamut. Foods from Campania, specialties from Emilia-Romagna, highlights of Bolognese cuisine, authentic Roman dishes, traditional Tuscan foods, Milanese foods, and more.

Happy Hour Food

Mambo appetizers are $2.00 off during happy hour, but the real deal is half-priced pizza!

We couldn’t resist the #1 pizza in Italy, the Margherita, with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. But if you want a little more creativity, try the Fig & Gorgonzola without tomato sauce, or the Steamboat Inferno with giardiniera and hot Italian sausage.

Drink Deals

Order $5 draft beers, $8 well drinks (full bar), or wines by the glass at $3 off. Additionally, there is a long list of specialty cocktails available at 50% off their normal price.

Where & When

Mambo Italiano: 521 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Happy Hour: Daily 4:00–5:30 pm

5. Back Door Grill

Award-winning burger at Back Door Grill in Steamboat Springs — Caution: It’s hard to happy hour hop if you start with a burger.

The extremely casual, somewhat funky Back Door Grill is the kind of place where good times are had by the whole family.

Happy Hour Food

These deals are a steal! The most expensive food item on the happy hour menu is $8: Buffalo wings and boneless wings. But burger lovers will want to try the award-winning burgers for a buck less.

Drink Deals

Let’s talk about cheap drinks: There are $5 house wines, $5 well cocktails, $2 off all drafts, and the big splurge: a $7 crazy concoction called The Dirty Duke. 

Where & When

Back Door Grill: 825 Oak St, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Happy Hour: Daily 3:30–5:30 pm 

6. Salt & Lime

Salt & Lime rooftop during happy hour — The rooftop at Salt & Lime is a great spot for a Steamboat Springs happy hour.

If you’re in the mood for tacos and margaritas, Salt & Lime is where you go. You’ll find a lively atmosphere, yummy Mexican food, good drinks, and a rooftop with a view. What more can you ask for?

So, if you find yourself strolling the main drag of Lincoln Avenue in the late afternoon and feel like you could be happier, be sure to pop into Salt & Lime.

Happy Hour Food

What’s cooking? $5 gourmet tacos: choices include carne asada, al pastor, bison (one of Colorado’s famous foods), barbacoa, vegetarian, and more. Yup, tacos are it for food specials, but sharing a queso fundido won’t break the bank either.

Drink Deals

$9 Casa Margaritas, aka House Margaritas  

Where & When

Salt & Lime: 628 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Happy Hour: Daily 3:30–5:30 pm

7. BÉsame Steamboat

Mussels at Besame Steamboat — Mussels are one of my go-to happy hour orders.

Bésame is one of Steamboat Springs best restaurants for foodies. The global-fusion sister restaurant of Mambo has one of the most creative menus in town.

And they take fusion seriously. Latin flavors combine with Japanese foods, Vietnamese specialties, and elements of Thai cuisine, and that’s just a few examples.

So, it’s right on brand to have an inventive happy hour with lots of choices. Even their burger is like nothing you’ve ever had, with queso asadero, caramelized onions, chimichurri, smoked confit tomato, orange habanero salsa, and huitlacoche—a food from Oaxaca known as corn smut and likened to truffles.

Happy Hour Food

Enjoy 30% off all hot and cold tapas. Try chilled watermelon soup with passion fruit sorbet. Or, mussels with coconut cream and kaffir lime. Or, Brussels sprouts with Iberico chorizo, fried shallots, manchego, pickled Fresno chili, and jalapeño vinaigrette. Or, ancho chili duck wings, sweet plantains—and so much more!

Drink Deals

50% off house cocktails, 25% off wines by the glass, $10 margaritas, and $5 draft beers. 

Where & When

Bésame: 818 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Happy Hour: Daily 4:00–5:30 pm 

8. E3 ChopHouse

E3 ChopHouse is home to one of the happy hours Steamboat Springs has for the high-end crowd. As the name suggests, this Steamboat restaurant is a fine-dining steakhouse. But during happy hour, there is a more relaxed atmosphere.

All of the meats come from the family’s ranch in Kansas. And although I didn’t see it on my recent trip to Music City because I was busy eating the famous Nashville foods, E3 has a second location in the mecca of country music.

Happy Hour Food

E3 offers 10 to 12 items between $8 and $20. Not surprisingly, their standout dishes are beefy: Try their 12-hr. smoked brisket burnt ends or their Prime French Dip.

Drink Deals

Beers are between $5 and $6, well cocktails between $8 and $10, and house wines are $8.

Where & When

E3 ChopHouse: 701 Yampa St, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Happy Hour: Daily 3:00–5:00 pm 

9. O’Neils Tavern & Grill

Giant pretzel at O'Neils happy hour in Steamboat Springs — We like to start happy hours with a giant pretzel.

Warm and welcoming, you’ll find a nice selection of beers and Irish whiskeys at O’Neils Tavern & Grill.

If you love the fun-filled energy of a typical Irish pub, O’Neils Tavern & Grill is for you.

Happy Hour Food

Think typical pub fare like potato skins, mac & cheese, fish & chips, wings, and burgers all specially priced between $7 and $13.

Drink Deals

They pour $5 well drinks, $6 house wines, $8 car bombs, and beers at $2 off. And since they’re related to Backdoor Grill, there’s a $7 Dirty Duke.

Where & When

O’Neils Tavern & Grill: 41 8th St, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Happy Hour: Daily 3:30–5:00 pm AND 10:00 pm–close 

10. The Barley Tap and Tavern

Located in the Old Town Square in downtown Steamboat Springs, The Barley is never far away.

Among all the bars in Steamboat Springs, The Barley is one of the most dedicated to keeping it local—emphasizing local craft beers and spirits. As a bar, they are definitely more beverage oriented than food focused. In fact, food orders are limited to a small snack menu.

However, The Barley has one of the latest happy hours in Steamboat Springs (not counting late night at O’Neils). That makes this Steamboat bar the perfect place to end your happy hour hopping.

Happy Hour Food

Rotating happy hour snacks are $5.

Drink Deals

Happy hour beers are $5 and wines are $6.

Where & When

The Barley: 635 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Happy Hour: Daily 5:00–7:00 pm