Ski season is upon us and with it, the epic apres scene in Durango, Colorado. While the lift may stop running at 4 PM, the rest of Durango is just getting started.
Fall into the mountain town routine and join locals at weekly activities happening every night. From group pub runs and trivia nights, to wine tastings and beer bingo, there’s always something to do and somewhere to be.
Top Weekly Events
Besides all the killer happy hours you’ll enjoy in downtown Durango, there are a number of other events you’ll want to clear your schedule for.
Monday Happy Hour Yoga at Ska Brewing Company:
Start your week off right with a sweaty hour of wellness and brews at the Ska Brewing World Headquarters. What better way to kick off the week than getting bendy with your favorite beer and new favorite locals. The “workout” starts at 5:30 PM every Monday and all skill levels are welcome. The $10 admission ticket comes with a pint of beer, so there’s just no way not to have fun!
Tuesday Beer Bingo at The Cavern:
Currently on a hiatus due to renovations, the Cavern’s beloved beer bingo night will return in early 2019. When it does, you’ll get the chance to spend a rowdy evening full of shot-skis, bar games, and quick wit competitions. Unlike ordinary bingo, the stakes can be much higher when alcohol is involved. Play your cards right and you just may win a metal beer sign, free beer, shot or other unique prizes.
Wednesday Pub Runs with the Durango Running Club:
With hundreds of miles of trails to explore around town, you better believe Durango has a stellar community running club. The team hosts a number of group runs throughout the week and year, but the most fun is probably the Wednesday pub run that runs from April to November. More competitive athletes will appreciate the year round Saturday morning meetup at Durango Joe’s. If you’re looking to keep those leg muscles moving, check out all the ways to keep connected to our town’s athletic community.
Purgatory Giveaways, Tastings and Demos:
As if skiing Purgatory Resort on a weekday wasn’t fun enough, the mountain event list always offers something to look forward to. These events aren’t on a set schedule, but when they do pop up, make sure to mark your calendar. Upcoming is Steamwork Brewing’s bar hop Friday on December 14th. If you catch team members Kris and Brian on the mountain, you just may earn a free beer. Morning yoga at the base area is planned for December 15th, followed by snowboard demos and a Ski Giveaway with Colorado Native, all on the same day.
Wednesday Pub Quiz at the Irish Embassy:
You don’t need to be a genius to excel at the weekly Irish Embassy pub quiz night, but it might help. Focusing on an assortment of general knowledge questions, expect a full house of beer drinking, brain teasing, and lots of laughs. Located on Durango’s Main Avenue, every piece of furniture in the embassy was shipped directly from Ireland. 100% authentic, our neighborhood pub is full Irish, so don’t skip out on the pint of Guinness and famous fish and chips.
$1 ‘Winesday’ at Guidos:
It’s no secret that happy hour is the best hour, especially when you spend it at Guido’s on Main Avenue. Enjoy a sampler of three wines for a total of just $1 every Wednesday night. Now through the end of the year, Guido’s nightly happy hour features $3 draft beer, half off meat and cheese plates, and $4 wine every other day of the week.
Thursday Pub Trivia Night at Powerhouse Science Center:
Of course Durango’s Science Center hosts a night for flexing those brain muscles. Assemble a team of your favorite nerds and answer challenge questions, or come solo and join a group when you get here. Expect five rounds of 10 questions, and plenty of local brews to keep your mind in the game.
Thursday Prime Rib Night at the Diamond Belle Saloon:
An entire evening devoted to Diamond Belle’s specialty prime rib is an unmissable event for passionate foodies. As you enjoy your perfectly prepared prime rib with twice-baked potato and horseradish cream au jus, take time to kick back and be transported in time. Durango’s only Old West saloon knows how to party right, with live music and ragtime piano playing, costumed saloon guys and gals, and wild western gun fights outside in the summertime.
Weekly Music at the Animas City Theatre:
Live music, film, and theater ensue year round at Durango’s local town theater. Experience at least one show as part of the full Durango experience. Covering music from all genres, you’ll fall in love with the funky, soulful, indie, rock, and jazz artists this snug venue attracts. Even if you’ve never heard of the band, you're always guaranteed a good time. Where else can you rock out on a Monday?
Top 5 Winter Hangouts
The Office Spiritorium:
With its welcoming, rustic vibe and relaxed atmosphere, there’s no better place to warm your core after a cold day on the mountain. Proud to serve one of the best happy hours in town from 4 - 6 every day, the Office Spiritorium provides a perfect excuse to unwind and take in the moment. Make sure to try something new while you’re here, whether it be a dish, cocktail, or dessert.
Olde Schoolhouse Cafe and Saloon:
If the creatures of the forest hibernate in winter, the animals celebrating at the Olde Schoolhouse Cafe come to life after the first snowflake falls. Serving dinner until the precise time of 9:43 PM, this hole-in-the-wall cafe offers snarky, fun service and the best pizza in town. You're sure to find more ski boots than dress shoes on your visit, as this place is a hive for post-ski antics and fun.
11th Street Station:
Since the 1920’s, the eclectic building site at the corner of 11th Street and Main Avenue has served a variety of roles. Once a service station, then tire shop, then a church, a bank, and window shop, the 11th Street Station is now Durango’s favorite food truck lot. But more than that, the 11th Street Station is a bar, a coffee shop, a community center, and a piece of history.
Enjoy your peppermint shnapps and hot toddies among friends under the outdoor heater. Cozy up on a couch and take in the scene inside. You’ll often find live music on the stage and specials on the many food truck sandwich boards. Especially after a day on the slopes, you’ll discover how easy it is to lose the time at Durango’s playground for adults.
Ska Brewing Co.:
The craft brewers at Ska have been providing Colorado with beer since 1995. It doesn’t matter the season; Ska Brewing has always been one of the best places to visit in the southwest. With its massive biergarten, converted shipping container restaurant, upstairs bar, and ever-changing list of ‘Mod Project’ beers on tap, you’ll find that it’s a great place for any and everyone to enjoy. Bring the family, your date, or come solo and sit at the bar. No matter how you roll, Ska will vibe with you.
Purgatory Resort:
Skip the 4 PM mass exodus from Purgatory and kick up your boots at one of the onsite bars. There’s no reason to rush when Purgy’s, the Bear Bar, and Paradise Pizzeria aim to serve. Enjoy wine, spirits, craft beer, and great energy after getting your turns in on the mountain. Watch the snowfall and live the local life.
Don’t forget that there are a number of hangouts open during ski hours, including Dante’s Backside Bistro, Hoody’s and Powderhouse Pub.
