Finding fun things to do in Aspen, Colorado during the day is not very difficult – get out on the slopes and ski or enjoy one of the other winter sports.  At night, Aspen comes to life with Aspen nightlife, regardless of how old or young you are, there is something to do in Aspen 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For winter fun, aspen has four local mountains, Aspen, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk that will impress even the best ski junkie.

For Aspen resorts, we recommend The Ritz-Carlton Club, it has magical views and is a ski-in/ski-out resort with the renowned Ritz-Carlton service, Aspen Highlands is a place that visitors will return to over and over. The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands is located 5 minutes from the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport.

Music and dancing are the biggest nightlife attractions, but there is more to do, so if you are not old enough to get into the bars and clubs in the area, don't think that you will be bored at night. Start by finding out what activities are planned for the evening at your resort. Most resorts have events planned throughout the season.

Shopping in Aspen is also great, there are many galleries and specialty shops that you probably won’t find in your own hometown. Most shops are open after the slopes have closed for the day, and many stay open late because they understand that you want to spend your daylight hours out on the slopes.

If you aren’t old enough for the club scene, take advantage of the teen nights that are offered by many
of the resorts. These are safe fun nights for teens.  Teens also enjoy the offerings at many of the spas. Spas aren’t just for
adults. Enjoy the skin treatments, massages, saunas, and hot tubs. Some resorts also have game rooms for the teens and younger kids.

If you are old enough for the bars and clubs – finding something to do won’t be hard at all. Again, find out what is happening in the evening at your lodge or hotel first. If you aren’t interested, hit the streets. Almost everything is within walking distance in Aspen, and anything that is out of walking distance is accessible by bus or taxi. If you will be drinking, do not drive your car to the bar or club – find alternate transportation.

The Aspen Recreation center has many planned events throughout the season that are appropriate for adults and kids. However, if you are planning to bring the kids, but you want to enjoy some adult Aspen nightlife as well, child care may be available through your lodge or hotel.

Aspen Nightlife – How to Find the Entertainment

No matter what time of year it is when you visit Aspen, there is always something happening – even in the off season. The town is small, but there are usually several types of entertainment offered each evening in different parts of the small town.

First, call the Chamber of Commerce in Aspen a few months before your trip if possible. Ask them what events are planned for the time period that you will be there. Events are usually scheduled well in advance, and finding out about these events well in advance will not only help you to better make your plans, but it will also allow you to purchase needed tickets in advance. Nothing will be more disappointing than arriving in Aspen and finding out that your
favorite band is in town for a sold out show!

Events can come up at the last minute as well. Upon your arrival to your lodge or hotel, ask the concierge about events that will be taking place during your stay. If you have already contacted the Chamber of Commerce, you will know most of what is going on around town – but there may
be a few surprises in store for you.

Don’t forget to check with the Chamber of Commerce offices in nearby towns and villages! Snowmass is a village that almost seems to be a part of Aspen – but it isn’t. Contact the Snowmass town hall to find out what events are scheduled in the village during your visit.

Have a plan before you arrive in Aspen. Use the internet and your lodge to plan your daytime and night time activities while you will be in Aspen. Again, there is always something to do in Aspen, and if you don’t plan ahead, you will waste a lot of time trying to decide what you want to do.

While you want to go in with a plan, leave a day or two unplanned. Use these days for shopping expeditions or simply take a quiet walk through the quiet Victorian neighborhoods. Go to a restaurant that isn’t in your plans, or spend some time in the Great Room at your lodge. There is always something to do…but sometimes, it is nice to have nothing to do as well!

Aspen Nightlife – Getting Around

After a day on the slopes, you may be wondering what there is to do for the rest of the evening, you will need all of the energy you can muster for the Aspen nightlife. No matter how much skiing you get in or how many of the runs you have mastered, you have not truly experienced Aspen until you go out after dark!

Aspen has three basic areas: downtown, the West end, and the East end. The town is remarkably small, but surprisingly, everyone and everything just fits. The town is actually small enough that we recommend leaving your car parked at your lodge or hotel and walk anywhere that you want to go.

Not everyone pays heed to this advice, which can make driving around and parking very difficult. You can also take a free shuttle from one mountain to another, take the Roaring Fork Transit Authority Bus, or go to the Rubey Park Transportation Center to get a ride anywhere in the valley.

Don’t worry about getting lost. The town is well laid out. Starting on the West end, you will find a quiet Victorian neighborhood. While this is a residential district, where locals live, you will also find many hotels and condos on the West end, particularly on Main Street. You will also find the Aspen Meadows Conference Center and Hotel. This is a 40-acre area where you will also find the Aspen Institute, the Music Tent, the Harris Concert Hall, the Paepcke Auditorium, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, the Hallam Lake Nature Preserve, and the Aspen Center for Physics.

In the East end of Aspen you will find another residential area, as well as the Roaring Fork River and the Aspen Club and Spa. The East end features more forests than the West end, which has been developed a great deal more. Between the West End and the East End, you will find downtown Aspen. Downtown is where most of the action is. Featuring old Victorian buildings, downtown Aspen boasts pubs, restaurants, shops, and everything else you could ever possibly need – all housed in beautiful historical landmark buildings.

Down the valley a ways, you will find Snowmass Village. To the west, you will also find Roaring Fork Valley. These two villages are compliments of Aspen, and you should take the time to visit them as well.

Aspen Dance Fest

If you have the opportunity to visit Aspen during July and August, you absolutely must use the opportunity to see many of the performances that are part of the Aspen Dance Fest. The Aspen Dance Fest features critically acclaimed contemporary dance companies from around the United States.

The Aspen Dance fest runs for five consecutive weeks each summer. The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Company hosts and performs in the Aspen Dance Fest. The company is made up of eleven dancers who were all classicallytrained. The school was founded in 1995 by Bebe Schweppe. The company’s debut was in 1996 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

All performances for The Aspen Dance Fest are held at the Aspen District Theatre, which is located inside the Aspen Elementary School on Maroon Creek Road. For a wonderful evening of entertainment and culture, be sure to catch at least one performance during the Aspen Dance Fest – even if you have to make a special summer trip to Aspen to do it. You may also catch performances by the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Company closer to home when they go on tour each year.

Syzygy

Syzygy, which is located on East Hyman Avenue in Aspen, Colorado, has repeatedly won awards for being one of the best restaurants in this ski town. Featuring outstanding jazz music and food that is out of this world, Syzygy is the place to be when it comes to Aspen nightlife and fine dining. This is an
Aspen landmark that is not to be missed.

The chef at Syzygy combines European and Asian dishes, and presents them in a modern American way. These combinations are what set the cuisine at Syzygy apart from the food you find at most restaurants. Along with this outstanding fare, you can select wine from a list of over 300 Italian,
American, and French wines. If you aren’t sure which wine will work with the fine food you have ordered – simply ask your waiter. They always seem to know exactly which wine will enhance the flavor of the food the best.

One of the nice touches about the service at Syzygy’s is that the Chef likes to send gifts to the table, such as goat cheese, potato crisps, and osemary bread. Syzygy is famous for their atmosphere as well. The glass enclosed waterfalls inside the restaurant are talked about all over the world – and they are really something to see! Every part of the interior of this Aspen landmark works well together to create a mood that makes the food, the wine, the music, and the company absolutely enjoyable.

You may be overwhelmed with all of the wonderful menu choices, and all of the delicious smells coming from nearby tables. You may not be able to make a choice! Syzygy’s has you covered. Simply order the Tasting Menu, and sample everything. Enjoy the music while you are eating – and after
your meal as well. Some of the finest jazz artists in the world have performed at Syzygy’s. Call ahead to find out who will be performing – you will be glad that you did.

Syzygy’s is closed on Monday’s and Tuesdays during the off-season. During the season, they are open from 6pm to 10pm each day, and you should definitely call ahead for a reservation. Remember, this is an integral part of experiencing Aspen nightlife, so make sure you get by Syzygy’s at
least once while you are in Aspen – the chances are very good that your first visit will not be your last! If possible, try to make it to the Sunday Jazz Brunch.

The Caribou Club

According to The New York Post, the Caribou Club is the absolute best private club in America. This is a member’s only private club, and the membership fee is quite high, but the ambiance is top-notch!

The Caribou Club is located in Aspen, Colorado on East Hopkins Avenue. The club is open from 6:30pm until 2am every day, and you can enjoy dinner and dancing, or lounge in the Great Room before a roaring fireplace with a fine cigar. The wine cellar houses over 5000 wines from around the world.

There is more to The Caribou Club than fine dining and dancing, however. When you enter the club, you are entering a world of elegance that can only be experienced here. The walls are covered with 19th century paintings. There is a coat room, where your coat will be taken
from you, and you are made to feel like a very welcome houseguest. You can then go to the bar, the Great Room, or be seated for dinner.

The Caribou Club has become an integral part of Aspen nightlife for the rich and famous – and even for those who are not famous, but who can afford to pay the membership fees. When you enter the Great Room at The Caribou Club, you will probably see faces that you know – even if you don’t know these famous people on a personal level.

You don’t even have to be in Aspen to enjoy the cuisine offered by The Caribou Club. Your event can be catered by the club, no matter how large or small it is, or where it is located. You can have your event catered anywhere in the world! Private parties can also be held at The Caribou Club.

Again, the cost is fairly high. Lifetime membership for a couple is $10,000. Individual membership for two people is $3000 for the first year, and $1000 for each additional year, paid annually. Family membership for up to five people costs $4000 per year. A temporary membership is available for one week. The cost is $500 and covers one couple. However, during Holidays and President’s Weekend, the cost is $1000.

As you can see, The Caribou Club is quite exclusive – but depending on the type of nightlife you enjoy, the cost of membership is well worth it – even if you only visit once a year.

Club Chelsea

The Club Chelsea is a fashionable club that is a traditional part of the Aspen nightlife social scene. Featuring a piano bar, a dining area, a dance floor, and a private smoking room, this is high-toned entertainment at its very best.

The Club Chelsea bar offers single malts, cognacs, martinis, and ports, and in the smoking room, you will find Havana and A. Fuente cigars. The club is open from 8pm to 2am daily, and is located on East Hyman Avenue. A light menu is offered, featuring gourmet dishes such as pastas, tenderloins, and tamales. Everything about Club Chelsea screams elegance.

The chances are good that you will not run into the college crowd here. The majority of the patrons seem to be older – starting with the 30 and 40 year old crowds, with some seniors thrown in for good measure. This is elegant ‘grown up’ entertainment, where you won’t find
a lot of noise or people who have had too much to drink.

So, if you are past the college drinking contests and wet T-shirt competition age, you will find Club Chelsea a delightful and elegant place where you can while away the evening with great food, fabulous drinks, wonderful piano music, and outstanding cigars.