If walls could talk they'd have a lot to say about all the guests who have come through "The Snake", having beers with friends, enjoying the rustic ambience of the dining room, or getting their boogie on to the live bands on the weekends. The Snake River Saloon and Steakhouse has been a hub of Keystone's social scene since 1975. I discovered it in 1988 when a friend took me there to see Elik Pink and the Dolls and the place was packed and rocking. Lately, I stop by for their happy hour to catch up with friends and enjoy a Snake River Margarita. The bar is friendly with a great mountain vibe and prices are reasonable for a mountain town. With it's rustic log building and wood panels, you know you are in the heart of the mountains.
Happy hour and apres ski are popular on the saloon-side with 75 cent wings and a choice of sauces plus they have great discounts on drinks and drafts. After enjoying a bite to eat, friends can challenge each other to shoot a game of pool while sipping on their craft beer or specialty cocktail. After a big day skiing Keystone's Outback, bike riding around Lake Dillon or challenging yourself at Arapahoe Basin's Aerial Adventure Park, the bar menu has plenty to replenish your body. There is a full bar menu including sandwiches, pizza, and full entrees - the vegetarian lasagna is a favorite! It's a casual and lively place to grab a bite to eat.
If you prefer something quieter, the dining room is cozy and intimate with the tables draped in white tablecloths and soft lighting. The drinks here are tasty and the food filling. The rainbow trout or one of the high quality steaks are the regulars' go-to requests although there is something on the menu for everyone including a wide variety of pastas and a children's menu. The Pasta Primavera is popular as a vegetarian option. You can cap the night off with one of their dessert cocktails like the Grasshopper or Chocolate Martini.
After dinner, the Saloon is the perfect place to keep the night going. There are live bands on the weekends and the dance floor is jamming. Check out their calendar of music - https://www.snakeriversaloon.com/live-entertainment.html. The Snake is the place to go to for locals and visitors alike and one of the few places in Keystone that is open past midnight. It's close enough to walk from River Run Village or the condos around Mountain House, such as Snake River Townhomes, Gateway Lodge and Cinnamon Ridge. Plus there is a Summit Stage stop nearby. No need to drive if you are having a few drinks.
The Snake has been a favorite in Keystone for over 46 years. Come check it out and add to the stories. The walls need some new material!