Okay, maybe we should call it sharing the barstool with Kim Haggarty, as that’s where you’ll often find her, along with her daughters, running one of Steamboat’s top nightclubs, Schmiggity’s. But you’ll also find her out schralping the mountain with the best of them, working on her golf or tennis game, and even throwing her hat in the ring to run for City Council. We caught up with her for her take on Steamboat’s music scene, the community, and more…
S&C: When and how did you end up in Steamboat?
Kim: I came to Steamboat in 1992 after winning the Colorado Lottery. I wanted to live in a ski town and teach ice skating and Steamboat just felt like home after my first visit. I bought a log home a month later and I lived here ever since, raising my three kids Hanna, Kayla and Trey.
S&C: What’s your bar/restaurant experience?
Kim: My first experience being involved with restaurants was the Steamboat Brewery & Tavern in 1992 with my brother Joe Walker. From there I bought the old Steamboat Yacht Club on 811 Yampa and completely renovated it in 2009 and opened Sweetwater Grill. I did a lot of live music at Sweetwater and when Joe moved back to New Jersey to take care of my dad’s family business, I sold Sweetwater to Phil Armstrong, who turned it into Aurum Food and Wine. In 2014, Pat Waters and I opened Schmiggity’s because of the need for live music after the closing of Ghost Ranch.
S&C: What’s your take on the Steamboat nightclub scene?
Kim: Over the last 10 years the nightclub scene has improved significantly with more options for live entertainment: Schmiggity’s, Old Town Pub and The Press. And summers in Steamboat offer so many free options for music: the ski resort, Snow Bowl, Howelsen Hill, and local restaurants. Steamboat is definitely on the map in the music scene for national and locally touring acts. We get emails every day from touring bands asking to play at our venue. Steamboat has a great reputation, and we continue to bring new bands and music here.
S&C: What’s unique about Schmiggity’s?
Kim: We’re the only dedicated small music venue in town that provides live entertainment seven days a week in the ski season and six days in the summer. Our weekly lineup of entertainment has a little something for everyone: Karaoke, DJs, guitar bar (sing along), live bands, two-step, and occasional drag and burlesque shows. We also have state-of-the-art sound and lights and a dedicated sound engineer on staff. Our sound has one of the best reputations in the state, so bands and electronic acts like playing here. It’s a very interactive bar where people can perform at karaoke, sing along at our guitar bar, or join the Schmiggs house band and play an instrument or sing. Everyone secretly wants to be a rock star and we’re giving them that opportunity.
S&C: What’s the hardest part about running it?
Kim: Probably coordinating and scheduling all of the bands. It’s like putting together a huge puzzle with a lot of moving parts.
S&C: How is it having your kids work there?
Kim: We absolutely love having not only our kids, but their boyfriends, working in the business. Our customers really seem to connect with our business when they find out we are all related. Pat and I also know our bar will be well taken care of whenever we’re not there.
S&C: What do you love about Steamboat?
Kim: I love the Steamboat culture. I also love the change of seasons and all the sunny days.
S&C: What are some of your favorite activities here?
Kim: There are so many great activities to participate in that sometimes it’s hard to fit them all in. Summers I golf a few days a week, play tennis, and ride my bike; and in the winter I ski.
S&C: Favorite run on a powder day?
Kim: Hero bumps on Whiteout.
