The 10 Best Après-Ski Spots in Whistler
Whistler is repeatedly named one of the world’s top skiing destinations. With its mountains easily accessible from the main village, it’s no wonder. After a day out at North America’s largest ski resort, Whistler Blackcomb, the best thing to do is relax at one of Whistler’s many après-ski spots. Here are some recommendations, whether you want a laid-back, sporty or classy atmosphere.
Dusty's Bar & BBQ
Bar, Restaurant
Recommended for its legendary status
Dusty’s was the first après-ski bar in Whistler and opened in 1965. It has Whistler’s sunniest patio, reportedly the world’s best Caesar, live music and a menu centred around delicious BBQ; their chefs even went on a 30-restaurant tour of the Southern United States to discover what made the best BBQ. After consuming nine meals a day, they must know a thing or two.
Dusty’s was the first après-ski bar in Whistler and opened in 1965. It has Whistler’s sunniest patio, reportedly the world’s best Caesar, live music and a menu centred around delicious BBQ; their chefs even went on a 30-restaurant tour of the Southern United States to discover what made the best BBQ. After consuming nine meals a day, they must know a thing or two.
Cinnamon Bear Bar & Grille
Resort
Recommended for watching sports
Cinnamon Bear Bar & Grille is an après-ski spot in Whistler that offers excellent food in a laid-back environment. Located at the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, the bar’s menu is a combination of pub grub and Pacific Northwest cuisine, made with locally grown ingredients. Relax in front of one of the big screens, play some pool or sip a cocktail by the fire – you can do all of this and more at Cinnamon Bear Bar & Grille.
Cinnamon Bear Bar & Grille is an après-ski spot in Whistler that offers excellent food in a laid-back environment. Located at the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, the bar’s menu is a combination of pub grub and Pacific Northwest cuisine, made with locally grown ingredients. Relax in front of one of the big screens, play some pool or sip a cocktail by the fire – you can do all of this and more at Cinnamon Bear Bar & Grille.
Crystal Lounge
Lodge
Recommended for its daily deals
Crystal Lounge is a part of Crystal Lodge in the heart of Whistler Village. It’s an intimate but comfortable lounge with big screen TVs and excellent daily deals on drinks and wings. Its happy hours go from 4–6 pm and then 10 pm to close every night. Some of the Crystal Lounge‘s nighttime events include open mic nights, karaoke competitions and live music.
Crystal Lounge is a part of Crystal Lodge in the heart of Whistler Village. It’s an intimate but comfortable lounge with big screen TVs and excellent daily deals on drinks and wings. Its happy hours go from 4–6 pm and then 10 pm to close every night. Some of the Crystal Lounge‘s nighttime events include open mic nights, karaoke competitions and live music.
BrewHouse
Recommended for beer drinkers
Ultimate Ski says the BrewHouse has the ‘best beer in Whistler, hands down’. The craft beer selection is brewed onsite and includes ales, bitters and lagers. BrewHouse also does weekly brewery tours, if visitors want to go behind the scenes. It’s obviously the après-ski place for beer connoisseurs. Complement your beer with a fine pizza or pasta dish.
Ultimate Ski says the BrewHouse has the ‘best beer in Whistler, hands down’. The craft beer selection is brewed onsite and includes ales, bitters and lagers. BrewHouse also does weekly brewery tours, if visitors want to go behind the scenes. It’s obviously the après-ski place for beer connoisseurs. Complement your beer with a fine pizza or pasta dish.
Steps Kitchen + Bar
Bar, Restaurant
Recommended for movie time
21 Steps Kitchen + Bar is a unique spot in Whistler. Above the dining room is an intimate lounge called The Attic, surrounded by two large screen TVs that play ‘cinematic movies to enhance the experience’, according to its website. The casual restaurant has sweeping mountain and village views and serves modern comfort food. Locals say 21 Steps is one of the village’s best restaurants when it comes to value and atmosphere.
21 Steps Kitchen + Bar is a unique spot in Whistler. Above the dining room is an intimate lounge called The Attic, surrounded by two large screen TVs that play ‘cinematic movies to enhance the experience’, according to its website. The casual restaurant has sweeping mountain and village views and serves modern comfort food. Locals say 21 Steps is one of the village’s best restaurants when it comes to value and atmosphere.
Garibaldi Lift Co. Bar & Grill
Bar, Restaurant
Recommended for convenience
Located above the Whistler Gondola building, Garibaldi Lift Co. offers convenience in a classic setting. Guests can sit and sip a beer or cocktail while watching the skiers (or mountain bikers in the summer) come down Whistler Mountain. Known for its tapas and martini menus, Garibaldi Lift Co. is a combination of restaurant, bar, lounge and club.
Located above the Whistler Gondola building, Garibaldi Lift Co. offers convenience in a classic setting. Guests can sit and sip a beer or cocktail while watching the skiers (or mountain bikers in the summer) come down Whistler Mountain. Known for its tapas and martini menus, Garibaldi Lift Co. is a combination of restaurant, bar, lounge and club.
Black's Pub
Pub, Beer, Pub Grub
Recommended for families
With a quieter and more laid-back atmosphere, Black’s Pub is a great après-ski spot for families. It has a large menu selection, so even the fussiest kids will find something to eat. There are also more than 90 beers on tap for the adults. It’s known to get livelier as the night goes on and the kids go to sleep.
With a quieter and more laid-back atmosphere, Black’s Pub is a great après-ski spot for families. It has a large menu selection, so even the fussiest kids will find something to eat. There are also more than 90 beers on tap for the adults. It’s known to get livelier as the night goes on and the kids go to sleep.
Merlin's Bar & Grill
Bar, Beer, Pub Grub, Canadian
Recommended for dancing the night away
Boasting Whistler’s largest outdoor patio and the tagline, ‘home of the endless après’, Merlin’s Bar & Grill is where you go to have a good time. Dance the night away to live music and DJs, and feast on classic food served with local ingredients. The drinks menu offers weekly après specials, monster jugs and shot skis (yes, a ski of shots).
Boasting Whistler’s largest outdoor patio and the tagline, ‘home of the endless après’, Merlin’s Bar & Grill is where you go to have a good time. Dance the night away to live music and DJs, and feast on classic food served with local ingredients. The drinks menu offers weekly après specials, monster jugs and shot skis (yes, a ski of shots).
Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub
Recommended for the Irish experience
Everywhere has an Irish pub, including Whistler. Dubh Linn Gate has over 25 beers on tap, including BC craft beers, Irish favourites and the Dubh Linn Lager. It also has over 20 different single malt scotches and over 20 whiskies from which to choose. Once you’re done deciding what to drink, the food menu offers traditional Irish dishes and the usual pub food – the Steak and Guinness Pie is a must-eat dish.
Everywhere has an Irish pub, including Whistler. Dubh Linn Gate has over 25 beers on tap, including BC craft beers, Irish favourites and the Dubh Linn Lager. It also has over 20 different single malt scotches and over 20 whiskies from which to choose. Once you’re done deciding what to drink, the food menu offers traditional Irish dishes and the usual pub food – the Steak and Guinness Pie is a must-eat dish.
Longhorn Saloon & Grill
Recommended for people who want to be at the number one spot
Yes, Longhorn Saloon & Grill has been the number one après-ski spot in Whistler for over 25 years, so it knows what it’s doing. It has daily weekday deals, including Mimosa Monday, Tequila Tuesday and Friday Weekend Wine’d Up. Found at the bottom of Whistler Mountain, skiers and snowboarders don’t have to go far for that first beer. Longhorn also has a great selection of après snacks.
Yes, Longhorn Saloon & Grill has been the number one après-ski spot in Whistler for over 25 years, so it knows what it’s doing. It has daily weekday deals, including Mimosa Monday, Tequila Tuesday and Friday Weekend Wine’d Up. Found at the bottom of Whistler Mountain, skiers and snowboarders don’t have to go far for that first beer. Longhorn also has a great selection of après snacks.
About the author
I'm an Australian freelance writer and travel blogger. I was born in Perth, grew up in Townsville and currently live in Melbourne. I write about my worldwide solo travel adventures and my former expat life in Canada on my blog, Hayley on Holiday (hayleyonholiday.com).
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