The Estes Park Bars on this list are all places where you can actually go and sit at a bar. There are plenty of restaurants that offer full bar service, but that don't have a place for sitting and drinking or flirting or whatever other kinds of pub and lounge things people do.
Cascades Restaurant (at The Stanley Hotel) 333 W Wonderview Ave., (970) 586-3371, $$$$ Fancy schmancy. The food is good, though not outstanding. Go more for the ambience and opulence of the beautiful Stanley Hotel, the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining.
Ed's Cantina 390 E Elkhorn, (970) 586-2919, $$ I gotta admit, I kind of miss the old Ed's. Before they remodeled, it was a cheesy sports bar with funky things like buffalo heads on the walls. Now it's got a more upscale image and *sniff sniff* a less character. The food is decent and the people very friendly.
Estes Park Brewery 470 Prospect Village Dr., (970) 586-5421, $$ Homegrown microbrews and typical sports bar fare. Nice view from the deck.
Fusion 451 Steakhouse 451 S St. Vrain, (970) 586-9840, $$ Really good food and really nice people. An assortment of American cuisine.
The Gallery Restaurant and Bar 205 Virginia Dr., (970) 586-1865, $$$ An art gallery and a restaurant in one. The food can be quite good, and they often have live music.
Grumpy Gringo 1560 Big Thompson Ave., (970) 586-7705, $$ Mexican for gringos! The margaritas are popular, though.
Kelli's Lounge 112 W Elkhorn, (970) 577-0588, $ A nightclub for the younger crowd, 20-30 something, featuring Karaoke nights, salsa, and 80s music to present. The murals of famous entertainers are worth the look.
Longz (at the Holiday Inn) 101 S St. Vrain, (970) 586-2332, $$ The Holiday Inn's restaurant was recently revamped, and they are serving a lot of new cuisine; I haven't been yet and haven't heard any local gossip. I'll keep you posted.
Lonigan's Saloon 110 W Elkhorn, (970) 586-4346, $ It is an odd point of pride with me that I have never been in Lonigan's. Sorry. They're a bar with lots of local character and live music. Pool & darts, too.
Nicky's Restaurant 1350 Fall River Rd., (970) 586-5376, $$-$$$ Nicky's has two restaurants - a steakhouse and a "garden restaurant" serving lighter fare. There is also a lounge/bar where, on summer weekends, you can hear the sound stylings of Ray Young on piano.
The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern 1675 Hwy 66, (970) 586-4116, $$ Fantastic live music (lots of bluegrass) and a friendly mountain atmosphere, plus good food.
Silverado Restaurant (at Lake Shore Lodge) 1700 Big Thompson Ave., (970) 577-6422, $$$ Lakeside dining and good food. It's been awhile, but I seem to remember some baked brie with lingonberries that was to die for.
The Sundeck 915 Moraine Ave., (970) 586-9832, $$ A rustic mountain atmosphere, nice people, and good food. Some of the best trout around.
The Tavern (at Mary's Lake Lodge) 2625 Marys Lake Rd., (970) 586-4777, $$ A lively atmosphere, live music, great food, and a nice deck make this one of Estes' popular nightspots.
Thai Kitchen 401 S St. Vrain, (970) 577-7112, $$ Excellent Thai food. But not for wimps! Their "mild" seemed pretty hot to me, but it was delicious.
The Wapiti Restaurant and Pub 247 W Elkhorn, (970) 586-5056, $$ "Wapiti" (WAH-pit-ee) is Shawnee for elk. The Wapiti is a carnivore's paradise. I had the ribs and they were yuuuumy. That was back in my "must have BBQ once in awhile because I'm from Texas" days.
The Wheel Bar 132 E Elkhorn, (970) 586-9381, $ Downstairs from Orlando's steakhouse, The Wheel has a nice location on the Riverwalk, with outdoor seating that flows inside, so it doesn't have that stuffy bar feel.
My favorite? I like The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern. The music is great, the food is good, and the atmosphere uniquely Rocky Mountain.
Another hidden gem is the bar at The Appenzell Inn. It's not open on a regular basis, but is a great location for a small, intimate party (10-15 people). They have a comfortable lodge-style room with a model train that runs around the perimeter. Call them to book it, or to see when they are open.
