Picture it. You've found everything you've dreamed about at Keystone with its pristine mountain scenery spanning three peaks, tons of slopeside action, and over 3,000 acres of all-season playground to explore. The kids are happy and hungry, your other half hasn’t stopped smiling, and there’s only one more thing you need to declare this a perfect vacation day: a really good glass of wine.
While few venues characterize themselves exclusively as a Keystone wine bar, you’ll discover that Keystone bars and restaurants embrace unique vibes. But there’s one thing they all have in common: a top-notch wine list.
Tenderfoot Lounge
Big Horn Bistro and Tenderfoot Lounge share a space inside the Keystone Lodge and Spa. This on-resort setting means your glass of wine in the lounge or meal in the bistro will be accompanied by unrivaled views of Keystone Lake and the Continental Divide. The lounge presents a casual, cozy atmosphere with leather sofas and plush chairs around a fireplace. You could also grab a seat at the bar.
Tenderfoot Lounge's wine list leans heavily toward California wines. Along with a glass of your favorite, consider sharing snacks like calamari or a hummus trio. Live entertainment is sometimes featured at the lounge, as are sports on the big screens.
Ski Tip Lodge
If fine dining and truly fine wines are a priority during your Keystone vacation, treat yourself to dinner at the resort's acclaimed Ski Tip Lodge. The property is an immaculately preserved 1800s stagecoach stop, now a B&B and intimate, rustic-chic restaurant. A four-course prix fixe dinner comes with the option for wine pairing. Note that the restaurant has been a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence winner every year from 2016 to 2021. A sommelier is available to discuss the comprehensive wine list and assist with pairing choices. Arrive early to enjoy pre-dinner drinks on the patio with views of the mountains.
Saved by the Wine
For Keystone vacationers seeking a classic wine bar experience, it’s worth taking a short journey from the resort to Saved by the Wine in Dillon. The locally owned and operated wine bar offers a rotating menu of wines from all over the world, including organic, natural, and non-alcoholic wines. Choose from eight flight options, available as full or half flights and featuring reds, whites, or a variety. Options include a foodie flight with a cheese pairing, a build-your-own flight option, and the owners’ favorite flight. Or just order by the glass from the extensive wine list. Saved by the Wine also offers a full food menu with recommended pairings.
Rotolo’s Craft and Crust
Rotolo’s Craft and Crust, the local outlet of an acclaimed Louisiana-based pizza chain, is popular with locals and has a lively, casual vibe. It’s also one of the best places in Keystone for wine, with a wine list among the longest at the resort. All wines at Rotolo’s, which span half a dozen varietals plus several sparkling wines, are available by the glass. The food side of the menu features Rotolo’s famous pizzas as well as shareables, tacos, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. Try a New Orleans-inspired treat such as boudin fries, crawfish etouffee, or the bayou BBQ chicken pizza, all paired with a wonderful glass of wine.
Keystone Ranch Restaurant
Keystone Ranch Restaurant, also known as The Ranch, occupies a historic log ranch house on the resort. A highlight is the stone-clad fireplace as a stunning centerpiece. Among other prestigious awards, The Ranch boasts the elite AAA Four Diamond award, the DiRoNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) award winner and Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. The Ranch exclusively offers a full-service dining experience. Why not wrap up your visit with a great Keystone wine bar and a leisurely evening of fine dining?
Kickapoo Tavern
The drinks menu at Kickapoo Tavern, off the resort in River Run Village, is lengthy and creative. It might even tempt you away from your mission to find the best Keystone wine bar. Craft cocktails include specialty margaritas and Moscow mules, plus hot boozy drinks like hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps. Lots of local beers are available as well. Yet, there’s still ample space on the drinks list for wines. Most are from California, but there are also some Chilean and Argentinian reds, New Zealand and Italian whites, and sparkling wine. Most wines are available by the glass or bottle.
Kickapoo Tavern has welcomed visitors and locals to its prime spot at the base of Keystone Mountain since 1995. Along with seating at the bar, there’s a full dining room and seasonal patio.
Snake River Saloon and Steakhouse
A mainstay among off-resort Keystone bars, Snake River Saloon and Steakhouse has been serving outstanding drinks and steakhouse classics since 1975. Regulars rave about the hearty steaks and seafood. However, the saloon side with its fireplace, live music, and its own, more-casual food menu, has a lot of fans as well. Both saloon and steakhouse spaces share an excellent and extensive wine list. Enjoy a glass or two of wine with robust fare like baked brie or steak on toast with mushrooms and bordelaise.
Cala Pub and Restaurant
A Keystone bar off the resort with a friendly, casual atmosphere, Cala Pub and Restaurant takes inspiration from traditional Irish pubs. Keep your bar order super-casual and try the house red or white, or consider wines from California, France, Italy and Spain. They could all go nicely with an eclectic, Irish-leaning take on comfort food. Examples include Reuben fritters or the Scotch egg with sides of Guinness mayo and spicy Guinness mustard. Even heartier entrees include bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, and various burgers and sandwiches.
Last Lift Bar
Last Lift Bar is notable for its slopeside location on the second floor of Mountain House, and also for its “apres all day” offerings. Expect an all-American array of hot and cold drinks, including wine options and favorite comfort foods. This popular Keystone bar features live music, and the crowd is typically lively and laid back. In summer, everyone sprawls outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and on-resort mountain setting. Kids might be drawn to the air hockey and foosball tables, but there’s no age limit, so you might get the chance to play.
Looking for the Best Wine Bars in Keystone?
Your vacation schedule might already be packed full, but you simply must include time to explore the best Keystone wine bars and restaurants. You might just conclude that there’s no better way to relax after a day of fun at Keystone Resort than with a delicious glass of wine.
