Many visitors come to Evergreen, Colorado to enjoy the majestic mountains and spend time in a quaint town. Guests at the Alpen Way Chalet are often surprised to learn what the locals already know – there’s also a great music scene and lively nightlife.
After a summer day of hiking, fishing, and golf, or a winter day of ice skating don’t forget to check out the local entertainment. The historic downtown area has a variety of dining options as well as art galleries and boutiques. When it comes to music and nightlife, there are one-of-a-kind options you don’t want to miss. Some of our favorites are listed below.
The Little Bear Saloon
Located in the heart of Main Street, this bar and restaurant takes pride in being a “piece of Rocky Mountain history.” The uneven wood floors, swinging doors, and dim lighting create an authentic old-west atmosphere. During the weekends and after the sun goes down there’s often a rowdy bar scene.
After nearly 50 years of business, the walls are covered in license plates, photos, and signatures, including an impressive roster of musicians. Willie Nelson, Niel Young, and Kris Kristofferson to name a few. The intimate venue hosts local bands as well as big names that play a variety of music genres including blues, classic rock, and country. Some would say the Little Bear is world-famous, and most bands clamor at the opportunity to play there.
During summer weekends motorcycles get priority parking, but the crowd is a mix of all who want to have fun and hear great music. There’s no wrong day to go, but you can check out the upcoming shows on their website. Enjoy a burger and happy hour specials and don’t hesitate to carve your name on the wall if you can find space.
Cactus Jack’s Saloon & Grill
The regulars often refer to this bar and restaurant as “CJ’s”. But whatever you call it you’re sure to have a great experience. The locally owned establishment has a calendar packed full of events. From Karaoke on Saturday nights to ‘TacoRita Mondays’ and ‘Protein & a Beer’ Thursdays there’s always something going on.
An unfortunate flood in 2013 nearly shut Cactus Jack’s down. But, with the support of the Evergreen community, they were able to rebuild and came back better than ever. You can’t miss the fantastic outdoor patio that overlooks Upper Bear Creek creating the perfect venue for an eclectic music scene. Colorado bands including ‘Built to Last’, a Grateful Dead cover band, and jam band ‘River Spell’ are among the many musicians who have entertained customers year-round.
All are welcome in this laid-back establishment with lots of activity. Play pool or an arcade game while you’re jamming out to the music. Grab lunch or dinner any day of the week and check out their calendar of events for live music and specials.
The WoodCellar Bar & Grill
On the north end of Evergreen, you can find another option for great food and live music. The WoodCellar offers a casual atmosphere and a diverse menu. Not to mention one of the best Happy Hours in town and impressive menu specials.
Live music is typically Thursday – Sunday evenings with a variety of genres. If you’re new to town you are sure to meet a friendly local siping from their personalized mug of beer or getting an extra large pour from the Wine and Mug Club.
Music Festivals
While you can visit a local bar or restaurant any day of the week, the Evergreen Music Festivals are an annual opportunity to attend outdoor concerts. Guests at our lodge often make advanced bookings and come back year after year to attend the festivals. Specific dates, locations, and bands vary so check out the links below for up-to-date details.
SummerFest
This 2-day event includes a great lineup of musicians as well as food trucks and artists in an outdoor mountain setting. It’s a family event put together by the Center for the Arts Evergreen for over 40 years. Kids can get their faces painted or visit the craft tent and there is an eclectic list of vendors with an emphasis on fine art. The low cost of admission benefits local art programs.
Evergreen Jazz Festival
Visitors and locals block out their calendars months in advance for this event. This festival includes three days of music across four different venues with an impressive lineup of jazz musicians. There’s a free shuttle service to each of the intimate concert settings. You can enjoy food and drink, plus there are educational opportunities you don’t want to miss.
Hops Drops
Hops Drops is an all-day Music Festival that features nationally and locally celebrated musical acts AND a Beer Festival showcasing a variety of Colorado’s premier breweries. There are specialty food vendors, activities for the kiddos, and much more. Rooted in Evergreen’s long history of supporting the arts, Hops Drops (Evergreen Music Festival) is a non-profit organization, and the proceeds benefit arts programs for children in the Evergreen community.
Theatre
For a different type of entertainment check out the local theatre scene. On the north side of downtown Evergreen, you can find two theatres offering a variety of entertainment options.
Center Stage provides a beautiful setting on the hillside overlooking the creek. This is where Ovation West Performing Arts provides top-quality music and theatre productions for all ages. And the Evergreen Players are another community theatre program just off of Main Street. Their lineup includes comedy, musicals, and drama as well as classes and camps for children and adults.
Ready to Visit Evergreen?
Whether making a quick trip from Denver or planning a long vacation we welcome you at the Alpen Way Chalet Mountain Lodge. There are outdoor activities, bars, restaurants, and a lively music scene just a 10-minute walk from our location.
Each room, suite, and cabin have a welcoming feel and amenities to suit your needs. Plus, you can enjoy our beautiful outdoor space, firepit, and hot tub to make your mountain getaway complete. Spotting wildlife and close encounters with the local herd of elk are common at our hillside retreat.
Don’t hesitate to ask us about the local activities, shops, and restaurants. The list above is just the beginning of all the fun our town has to offer. We love providing recommendations!
Come visit for a night, a weekend, or a long vacation. There is entertainment year-round in our mountain town.
