Whether it's at noon or after the last lift closes, nothing
says "ahhh" at the end of an awesome day on the slopes like
the word "cocktails!" There are about as many options at the
base of both Whistler and Blackcomb as there are trail runs,
so sipping pleasures abound.
In fact, one does not even have to get off the mountain
before a bar beckons.
The Garibaldi Lift Company is the only bar that is literally
on Whistler in the village. When the weather is good, it has
a huge patio where you can watch skiers and snowboarders
finish their day while you tip one back. In the summer,
mountain bikers are flying off of cliffs only a few feet
away! It's home of many nighttime events, including concerts
from well-known artists, as well as film festivals and theme
parties. The food here is great. Local's Note: Try the Sex
Cheese. It's almost as good as the real thing!
At the base of Whistler is The Longhorn Saloon. Don't let
the name surprise you; yes it's a country-themed bar with a
great expanse indoors, but on sunny days more people wind up
sipping cold ones outside on the large patio watching the
rest of their skiing compatriots fly down the mountain
finishing their perfect day. Friendly attention from young,
attractive servers has patrons forgetting all about those
burning legs while reliving their greatest face-plants. But
be careful – this place is so much fun that closing time can
sneak up like a high-speed quad chair.
There are a few more pubs at the base of Blackcomb than at
Whistler. For starters, there's Merlin's. While it may
actually be considered a nightclub, it's really more of a
great place to grab a cocktail or two when the need hits to
park the skis or board. Like the Longhorn, the outdoor deck
beckons skiers and shredders to revelry after a great day on
the slopes. It has good service, good drinks and is a great
place to look fabulous as the folks with places to be other
than here walk by, no doubt green with envy.
Monk's has a warm pine interior, pool tables, and outdoor
deck and good food. The locals – a surprisingly large number
of which are Aussies on holiday – tend to congregate here in
the afternoon. This place is highly recommended for those
taking a day off the slopes to nurse the hangover.
Those looking for a martini and a good cigar simply must go
to The Mallard in The Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Plush
seating, an outdoor patio with gas heaters and large fire
pits make "comfort" the keyword here. The service is
excellent and the martinis fantastic. Unfortunately, the
cozy surroundings and great drinks make the time fly by all
too quickly.
Inside Whistler Village there's a few places that seem to
beckon during the day and, of course, others that call when
the sun goes down.
The Whistler Brewhouse is a pub which makes some incredible
local beers – a point of pride in Canada, it must be pointed
out. Its beers are shipped all over Western Canada, the most
notable of which is Whistler Ale. For beer lovers, this is a
"must-do." During the day, the place is a bit more subdued,
catering more to social lunchers. During the evening, it has
been known to pick up its pace, progressing as the night
wears on.
Black's Pub is a semi-Irish theme pub which tends to be
quiet during the day. But it definitely gets going during
the late afternoon and into the early evening. It has a good
tap beer selection with the odd game of darts thrown in.
Black's is worth the stop for those simply seeking a pint or
two.
While not a bar, Citta's (pronounced Cheetahs) in the heart
of the Village is a great place for a meal or just a beer
(or six). Always lively, this is a best bet to meet tons of
people who are well on their way to partying the night away.
There's usually a long wait for a table but when one comes
up, don't be picky and take what you get. A surprising
number of people seem to prefer the outdoor deck, even in
the dead of winter, which is either a testament to their
bodily bravery or the potency of Citta's cocktails.
Whistler Village is convenient for walking and PubClub-hopping.
Tapley's Pub is the first pub opened within the main
village. It's got that familiar feel that you could have
been there before, in almost any town in North America, but
when you sit down, take a sip and look around, you just know
you're in Whistler. Everybody, and we mean EVERYBODY ends up
here at some point! Look around, you are sure to find young
Aussies on one side of you, and sixty-something locals that
built the place on the other. Unpretentious, friendly and
full of sports, pool tables, and laughter. Tapley's is home
away from home for many.
The Dubh Linh Gate Pub in the Pan Pacific is right at the
base of Whistler Mountain. In true Irish pub fashion one can
savour the best of the Emerald Isle after a tough day on the
slopes. The Dubh Linh Gate offers authentic Irish settings
(not Setters, though we're sure that can be arranged) and
fare to the PubClubber with the taste for a true snowbound
Irish experience. We strongly reccommend you try this only
after playing a game or two of darts. Cozy surroundings, and
a distinctive decor will surely becon you to return. All
this being said, the service can be as slow as a holiday
lift line.
The Clubs – After the Jacuzzi
Bars, clubs and dancing define Whistler's wild nightlife.
Whistler Nights
• Monday – Tommy Africa's
• Tuesday – Savage Beagle
• Wednesday – Buffalo Bills
• Thursday – Garfinkles
• Friday & Saturday – anywhere
While the post-mountain bars are sure to produce a fair
amount of staggering, all ski bums and bunnies are
rejuvenated for a night on the town after a long hot tub.
Here's where to find the best post-Jacuzzi action.
It's a jungle in there, but it's almost a given that
everyone in Whistler will eventually make it into Tommy
Africa's. There is great live entertainment from
professionals, but quite often it's the amateurs (patrons)
that provide the most excitement. Credit the shooters, an
intoxicating house trademark that eventually gets in the
bloodstream of everyone.
Garfinkel's is almost always busy. It's very popular with
the locals and just as popular with the young – and young at
heart. People here play hard. There seems to be some
unwritten instructions for this place.......drink, dance,
repeat. It's a high point – literally – on any Whistler
trip.
Young revelers also like a downstairs club, Max Fish. It's
not a large place but the pace picks up later in the night.
It tends to be for the young crowd largely because of its
different theme nights and lots of house and hip-hop music.
But it can be fun for anyone. It has lots of late-night
energy.
The Savage Beagle is a two-level bar and while things may
not seem too nuts on the top entry level, the small-ish
dance club downstairs really gets going about 11. It's easy
to join the insanity that rises like a chair lift up until
the end of the night. Thus, its a good place to roll into
for an hour or so.
The granddaddy of them all is Buffalo Bill's. You have to
pick your nights here, as it seems to be busy on one or two
nights during the week. But on the weekends – Watch Out!
This is a big bar with a very upbeat crowd. Everyone just
seems to want everyone else to have the time of their lives
and most of the time, everyone succeeds. The ages vary here,
from twentysomethings all the way to fiftysomethings, but it
seems that everyone's biological clock turns back to 18 when
they enter the place. Buffalo Bill's has a fun staff and
plays great music, making it one of the highlights of any
trip.
One of the few places that focuses the tunes on the upbeat
"party music" is Moe Joe's. A good smell of spilled beer
screams out COLLEGE BAR!, but this unpretentious club/bar is
a cool place to cut loose, do shots with the sexy
cowgirl-clad bartenders and generally act like a fool.
BBK'S is British Columbia's smallest pub! Found in the Upper
Village at the base of Blackcomb, it offers amazing food,
and exclusively micro brews on tap. The art on the walls
changes regularly, and is the work of both staff and
patrons. There's even board games to play on the quiet
nights. The regulars are friendly and offer great advice on
activities and pursuits in town. It's solud from about 6 or
7 into the evening and you never seem to have "just a quick
beer." Fun, friendly, and comfortable!
Sadly, The Boot at the Shoestring Lodge is no more. Progress
has taken "The Local's Living Room" away from us and is
replacing it with a housing development. In true Boot
fashion, a massive farewell party was thrown in her honor,
with thousands attending. Tears and smiles bid her goodbye,
and even the siding was taken as momentos of the good times
by the faithful patrons. Fare thee well!
CreekSide – More Bars!
CreekSide is the first development coming to town. It's kind
of like a mini village. The main village is located 3
miles/5 kilometers down the road. Basically, Whistler has
plenty of places to upload. This is the original base of the
mountain and site of the original gondola. Oddly enough,
High Times magazine has rated the Creekside Gondola the #2
place in the world to "hotbox!"
Dusty's is the original pub of Whistler. It boasts a
two-level bar where a quick lunch crashes into a long
session of après. A big, relaxed A-frame style chalet
beckons you to forget you parked the car on the other side
of the mountain while you envision yourself racing down the
Olympic Downhill to a gold medal. So yes, during the 2010
Winter Games, this will be a place to hang. In the spring,
the patio gives great views all the way up to Whistler's
peak and is situated right at the lift line. You can toast
the shredders as they board the gondola back up to the
powder.
Hoz's Pub is a true local's haunt. Located across the
highway from Franz's Trail Marketplace, you will find the
true home of many of the people that built Whistler with
their passion for partying. Not just a tavern, it also
features many screens to help you keep up with all the
sports you could want, as well as a kitchen with both
Mexican and traditional pub fare. In addition, it features a
liquor store for the reinforcements you will surely need for
your condo fridge. Good casual fun!
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Fairmont
Chateau Whistler
at the base of Blackcomb Mountain 550 rooms with
spectacular mountain or village views were created to blend with the
natural alpine setting, features a golf course, and spa. |
Hilton
Whistler
This Whistler hotel is located mere steps from the
chairlifts and breathtaking views of the Whistler resort and world
famous Whistler golf courses |
Whistler Village Inn
mountain suites, with full kitchens, wood burning
fireplaces, patios and cozy sleeping lofts, offer all the comforts of
home while easily accommodating families |
Westin Hotel Whistler
All of the 419 suites have been designed for the
ultimate in residential comfort and luxury with breathtaking views of
the mountains, forested hills or Whistler Village |
|
Golfing at Whistler -
This picturesque valley, surrounded by immense, snow-covered peaks, pristine
lakes and glacier-fed streams, is home to four of Canada's top 100 golf courses.
Palmer, Nicklaus, Trent Jones Jr., and Cupp have each created masterpieces in
this magnificent setting. |
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