One Reveler’s Guide to the Summer Après Formula
Start sunny. Add margs. Insert pizza. Turn up the music. Finish with one last drink. Repeat all summer long. In Steamboat, when the snow melts, the après doesn’t disappear, it just trades ski boots for dusty bikes, river floats and sun-faded hats. Summer après is less about warming up and more about slowing down: that golden hour glow, a cold drink in hand and nowhere else you need to be.
Here’s your unofficial Summer Après How-To – a Steamboat crawl built for slowing down, settling in, and soaking up summer.
Step One: Ease Into It at Los Locos
Start your summer après the right way – with tacos, tequila and zero urgency. After a day on Emerald Mountain, a float down the Yampa, or just a long sunny afternoon, Los Locos feels like the natural first stop. The patio hums with conversation, sunglasses stay on, and the smell of fresh tacos sets the tone. Order a round of margaritas, classic, spicy or whatever, and maybe a basket of chips and guac to share. Street tacos, loaded nachos and cold cervezas make it easy to settle in and let the day melt into evening. The vibe is colorful, casual and just lively enough to kick off the night without trying too hard.
Step Two: Grab a Slice at Corner Slice
Once you’re properly settled into the afternoon, head down to Corner Slice for the essential summer après refuel. There’s something about grabbing a hot slice after a sun-soaked day that just works. People drift in and out, bikes parked nearby, friends regrouping while deciding what comes next. The pizza is quick, scrumptious, and perfect for sharing – classic pepperoni, cheesy goodness, and maybe a cold beer to keep things rolling. The energy here is relaxed and social, the kind of place where you lean against a railing (perhaps next to the lifesize Danny DeVito cutout), laugh about the day, and realize you’re in no hurry to go anywhere.
Step Three: Turn Up the Energy at Schmiggity’s
As the sun starts dipping and the air cools, it’s time to turn the dial up a notch. Schmiggity’s brings the music, the movement, and the “let’s keep this going” energy that defines summer nights in Steamboat. Cold beers and cocktails flow while live music or DJs set the tone. The doors are open, people drift in from the street, and suddenly your laid-back afternoon has turned into dancing, catching up with friends, and maybe making a few new ones. It’s lively without being over the top – just the right amount of buzz to keep the summer vibes rolling.
Step Four: End the Night at Old Town Pub
Every great summer après needs a final stop, and Old Town Pub delivers the perfect landing. There’s something about the historic feel, the easygoing crowd, and the comfort of one last drink that makes it feel like the right place to wrap things up. Grab a cold drink and some fries and settle in to recap the day – the ride, the float, the laughs and the inevitable “we should do this again tomorrow.” The vibe is relaxed, familiar, and quintessential Steamboat summer.
—Skylar Leeson
