That magic moment…
When your mind and body simply know they need a drink!
While there are bars on the Mountain, where you can enjoy an early après beer in the sun, most of the action takes place in town.
Although a relatively small town, Taos has a sizable and interesting perennial population; there is nothing contrived or touristy about a night out here, and there’s a decent choice of different drinking establishments in which to top off yet another epic day on the slopes.
Here’a list of five hotspots in and around the Town of Taos
Taos Mesa Brewing
You won’t have to travel too far to get here from there, and in fact, you could choose to stay here (at Hotel Luna Mystica instead), and the space and setting will not disappoint. Nor will the craft beer. Home to MusicOnThe Mothership, TMB has garnered national acclaim for its unique performance venue as well as the aforementioned brew. The 360% vistas are beyond breathtaking from this outlier hangout on the Mesa.
The Taos Mesa Tap room in town is also a great choice, and is family friendly to boot, so I’m cheating here with two for one.
The Historic Taos Inn
Long the favourite Après Everything spot in Taos, the “Inn” is centrally located on the main drag, right in the heart of Historical Taos. The Taos Founders formed their Art Society here (in what is now Doc Martin’s Restaurant),over a Century ago, Since then the Inn has continued to be the meeting place/gathering spot for anyone who is anyone and everyone passing through Taos.You never know who you’ll bump into here!
A seriously great Happy Hour in the Adobe Bar, featuring the Inn’s world famous array of Margaritas and Live Music nightly, makes it a must do, especially in winter when fragrant pinon and cedar fires are lit in the old kiva fireplaces, adding to the festive, cosy atmosphere so associated with Après Ski! Order a bowl of their award-winning Green Chile or a plate of nachos to share (or both), and you’ll be in heaven!
Lambert’s Tree House
Just a short walk down Bent Street, in another historic building, once rumoured to have been a Bordello during the West’s wilder days, the Treehouse at Lamberts is a local favourite, but will quickly become one of yours as well. The cosy, laid back vibes of this small, comfortably appointed and aptly named bar, is the perfect spot at which to end your day.
Happy Hour specials, plus a great bar menu, along with the option of ordering from the main menu, make it an even more appealing option. Lamberts’ reputation as the best restaurant in town doesn’t hurt, especially when you don’t have to dress for dinner!
The wine, beer and cocktail list is unsurpassed in Taos. Kids are welcome.
The Gorge Bar & Grill
A short walk through the John Dunn Shops (check them out along the way), overlooking the Plaza, is the Gorge. Known for its great craft cocktails, fabulous bartenders and easy atmosphere, its popular with both locals and visitors all year ‘round. In summer the patio gives one a bird’s eye view of the Plaza – a great people watching spot – and in the colder months with a fire lit, the space is warm and comfortable. Good, unpretentious food (something for everyone), excellent, friendly service and room for a crowd to gather, make it a given on this list.
Another two for one: Parcht (downstairs in the same complex), is under the same ownership, if you prefer a quieter, more urbane vibe, with a stellar wine list and sophisticated bites to pair with your glass or bottle, as the case may be.
El Monte Sagrado’s Anaconda Bar
If you have something a little more elegant in mind (a good reason to get a little more dressed up), the Anaconda Bar has your name on it. Housed in the spectacular, Heritage Hotels owned, El Monte Sagrado Resort & Spa, this bar is unlike any other in Taos. Above the bar itself a huge sculpture of an Anaconda, wraps itself around the ceiling and coils itself around posts alongside the bar, which is set in front of a huge aquarium, filled with mostly, blue fish.
Happy Hour spent lounging in one of the comfy booths or leather arm chairs will have you staying for dinner in no time, and really you should! El Monte’s Chef, Cristina Martinez is one of the best kept secrets in town.
For more ideas on Après Ski in Taos, do visit Taos.org, linked below this post.
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