Where to Apres Ski in Central Oregon
The early season snow conditions at Mt. Bachelor have been spectacular so far this year – and we think it’s going to continue well into winter. So the most important question to ask yourself this season is: where should you apres ski after a stellar day at the mountain?
That’s a great question, by the way, with a bunch of great answers.
One of the newest and best apres ski options in Bend also happens to be one of the closest options to Mt. Bachelor. The Row at Tetherow has a great vibe, cool views and a beer and food menu that’s second to none. I’ve written about this in previous blog posts, but if you’re a fan of buffalo wings – try the ghost pepper wings. They’re as hot as they sound, but oh-so-tasty!
And just a little farther down the road, check out Bistro 28 inside the Athletic Club of Bend. Warm up in front of the historic Pilot Butte Inn fireplace, ACB membership not required. Enjoy 1/2 off any pizza with the purchase of an entree or a free dessert with a purchase of an entree. Open at 4:30 Monday thru Friday and 3:30 on Saturday and Sunday
A little farther down the road you’ll find The Lodge – one of the Cascade Lakes Brewery locations in Central Oregon. This is a hugely popular joint for post-ski beers and food. Founded in 1994 in Redmond, Cascade Lakes is one of the stalwarts of Central Oregon’s craft beer scene. Check out Happy Hour Monday-Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. for $3 off apps and reduced prices on the pub’s imperial pints. (That’s 20 oz. of beer!)
In downtown Bend, you’ll always find a fun apres ski crowd at Deschutes Brewery. The popularity of Bend’s oldest brewpub used to mean it was tough to get a table or seat at the bar, but the restaurant expanded a few years ago creating room for everyone even on the busiest of nights. The beer menu is filled with pub-exclusive creations and the food can lead more toward fine dining than bar food. That said, Deschutes’ fish & chips are among the best in Oregon.
Other great options downtown include Pizza Mondo (named Bend’s best pizza every year since it opened in 1996,) the Bend Brewing Company, where you’ll be treated to live music, an award-winning selection of beers and hearty food that include some of the best wings in Central Oregon. For a more upscale vibe, check out 900 Wall, Zydeco or 5 Fusion and Sushi Bar – all are welcoming of folks in ski gear so don’t worry about having to change before grabbing a bite.
You’ll also find several options at one location at McMenamin’s Old St. Francis School in downtown Bend. The campus features four pubs, a Turkish soaking pool and a fun patio area with a fire pit to relive some of the epic moments on the mountain earlier in the day.
Other popular spots in Bend include Crux Fermentation Project, 10 Barrel Brewing and Worthy Brewing – all feature great craft beers, tasty menus (Crux is home to a couple of fun food carts as well) and large outdoor areas with fire pits to hang out around.
For those of you staying in Sunriver, you’ll find a bunch of great apres ski options both at the resort itself and just down the road at The Village at Sunriver. Enjoy great food and drinks at Carson’s American Kitchen or The Living Room or Twisted River Tavern – all located at Sunriver Resort’s main lodge. The new restaurants have quickly become a popular place for locals and visitors alike with their diverse, Pacific Northwest-inspired menus.
At The Village at Sunriver, snowriders flock to Sunriver Brewing Co. for a huge selection of craft beers and a menu filled with hearty items perfect after a long day at Bachelor. (There’s also a cool Sunriver Brewing pub on Galveston Ave. in Bend.) And, of course, you can’t go wrong with the traditional pub favorites at Village Bar and Grill.