Apres Ski Stratton: Best Bars & Hotspots for Post-Slope Fun
Tucked away in Southern Vermont, just a short drive away from the charming and popular village of Manchester is Stratton Mountain Resort. Stratton, known for being the resort where snowboarding was founded, offers a wide variety of terrain for skiers and riders. Having felt the wind whip through your hair sending it down the slopes, your thirst for adventure turns to a thirst for something beyond water. Fear not, for the après ski Stratton Village provides awaits right at the base of the mountain. Teeming with many of the best après ski bars at Stratton, buzzing restaurants and unique shops, it is the perfect spot for unwinding and celebrating your day on the slopes. But the fun doesn't stop there!
A short drive down the road lies the charming village of Manchester, adding another layer to your Stratton and Manchester après ski experience. Think historic brick buildings, lively pubs brimming with local flavor and cozy cafes serving up steaming mugs of hot cocoa – après perfection awaits! So buckle up, buttercups. We are about to embark on a boozy journey through Stratton Mountain Resort's après ski scene, spilling over into the quaint and captivating Manchester Village. Let's conquer the slopes, then conquer the après scene with the 5 best après ski bars at Stratton Village and Manchester
How to Plan Après Ski the Right Way at Stratton Mountain
Après ski at Stratton isn’t about chasing the loudest bar or the latest scene — it’s about flow. From the last chair to the first drink, great Stratton après is built on timing, walkability, and places that naturally pull people together once the legs are toast.
Here’s how to do Stratton après the right way.
1. Stay Slopeside (or Village-Close)
Stratton’s après scene shines because everything revolves around the Village. Staying close means no shuttles, no driving, and no rushing — just an easy glide from boots to barstool.
Booking Village-area lodging through Booking.com makes it simple to find cozy inns, condos, and lodge-style stays that keep you in the heart of the action.
Pro Tip: If you can hear music drifting through the Village as you take your boots off, you chose well.
2. Build the Day Around the Experience (Viator)
Great Stratton après doesn’t start at the bar — it starts with how you plan the rest of the day. Booking off-mountain experiences through Viator helps round out your trip without draining all your energy before après kicks off. Think snowshoe tours, scenic winter outings, or nearby Vermont experiences that complement your ski day instead of competing with it.
Pro Tip: The best après nights usually follow days that leave room for spontaneity — not total exhaustion.
3. Dress to Transition, Not Change
Stratton après often starts immediately after skiing, sometimes without ever going back to your room. Layer with versatile, packable pieces that look just as good in the Village as they do on the chairlift.
Functional outerwear from Akova Gear keeps you warm without screaming “technical” once the skis are off.
Pro Tip: If you go straight from the lift to the bar without thinking twice, you nailed it. Shop the link above and save 30% on your order.
4. Match the Stratton Après Vibe
Stratton’s après scene is social, upbeat, and effortlessly cool. It’s less about flash and more about comfort, confidence, and conversation. Easy mountain style, like All About Après apparel, fits right in whether you’re grabbing a beer or settling in for live music.
Pro Tip: If you feel comfortable striking up a conversation at the bar, your vibe is right.
5. Park Once — Then Walk Everywhere
If you’re driving in, Discover Cars keeps arrival smooth. But once you’re parked, forget the car keys. Stratton Village is built for wandering — and some of the best après moments happen between stops.
Pro Tip: The best Stratton après nights have no itinerary — just momentum.
6. Upgrade Your Crew Experience with VRBO
Traveling with friends or family? A nearby VRBO rental gives you space to stretch out — and often becomes the second après location once the Village winds down. Fireplaces, shared kitchens, and big couches turn into late-night story zones.
Pro Tip: Some of the best Stratton après moments happen after you leave the bar.
7. Bring Après Home with You (RovR Coolers)
One of the biggest perks of staying in a VRBO near Stratton is having space to keep the good times rolling after the Village winds down. That’s where a RovR cooler quietly becomes the MVP of the night.
With all-terrain wheels and serious ice retention, RovR makes it easy to stock local Vermont brews, après snacks, and recovery drinks, whether you’re rolling it from the car to the house or parking it next to the fire pit.
Pro Tip: The best home-base après setups don’t require repeat trips to the kitchen or... warm beer.
8. Keep Gear Simple with Clipstic
Après ski chaos is real, skis in one hand, poles in another. By clipping your poles to your skis, Clipstic keeps one hand free to enjoy a beer and enjoy the moment.
Pro Tip: Less fumbling means more time connecting.
8. Recover Faster, Stay Out Longer (Liquid I.V.)
Stratton days can be long, and après nights even longer. Liquid I.V. helps you rehydrate after skiing so you can keep the energy going from happy hour through live music and beyond.
Pro Tip: Hydration is the quiet hero of great après weekends. Shop the link above and save 20% on your next order.
Ski Hard. Linger Longer. Connect More.
At Stratton, après ski isn’t an afterthought — it’s part of the rhythm of the mountain. When the lifts stop spinning, the Village comes alive, conversations deepen, and the best stories of the day finally get told.
That’s Stratton après — done right.
Apres Ski Stratton Village: Slopeside Shenanigans & Beyond
1. Grizzly's:
Photo Credit: @StrattonResort Instagram
Forget hibernating; awaken your inner grizzly at this iconic Stratton Mountain après ski spot. "The bar at the base" offers plenty of slopeside shenanigans with hearty American bites, frosty brews and live music that is sure to fuel your post-shred celebrations. Bonus points for the rustic vibes and breathtaking mountain views from their famous deck. It's the best place to be for Bluebird Day après.
2. The Green Door Pub:
Photo Credit: @GreenDoorPub Instagram
Dive into Stratton's hidden (literally) gem. The Green Door Pub is a basement bar located right downstairs from Mulligan's. If you know, you know. This haven for the 21+ crowd is an après ski adventure that's beyond the mainstream. In what looks like a frat house basement, you can unleash your inner pool shark or foosball champion, groove to live music and sip on $4 Narragansetts. But what really makes the Green Door Pub special is the people-watching. It's simply scintillating!
3. The Firetower Restaurant and Tavern:
Photo Credit: @TheFiretowerstratton Instagram
Craving a sophisticated Stratton après ski experience? Ascend to The Firetower, a swanky lounge with an upscale atmosphere located at the far end of the village. Sip on craft cocktails or savor a glass of wine while indulging in tapas or small plates (pro tip: try their Ahi Tuna Nachos) – perfect for unwinding in refined après style.
Manchester Village: Après Adventures Beyond the Gondola
4. Haig's Restaurant and Sports Bar:
Photo Credit: @haigsmanchestervt Instagram
Immerse yourself in the local Manchester scene at this vibrant sports bar oozing with Vermont charm. Extensive beer list? Check. Plenty of TVs to watch the games? Check. Outdoor patio for al fresco après ski enjoyment? Check. Games like Buck Hunter, Foosball and Pool to play? Double check! Haig's is the perfect spot to catch some games while you swap stories and raise a toast to your day on the slopes.
5. Union Underground:
Photo Credit: @unionundergroundvt Instagram
Seeking a lively Manchester après ski scene with a modern twist? Descend into Union Underground, a subterranean bar buzzing with energy. Craft beers on tap, creative cocktails and live music set the stage for an unforgettable après experience. Whether you're catching a game on the big screen, taking in the ambiance of the old stone building or dancing the night away, Union Underground guarantees post-shred good times.
So there you have it, Southern Vermont snow enthusiasts! This is just a taste of the best après ski bars at Stratton and Manchester. Grab your ski buddies, unleash your inner party animal and conquer the après scene like a champ! Remember, the best après ski experience is fueled by good company, laughter and maybe a few (responsibly consumed) libations. Cheers to unforgettable winter memories!
The Best Après Ski Attire for the Best Après Ski Bars
Coming off the mountain and immersing yourself in the best après ski bars at Stratton requires the perfect après-ski clothing. There's no better choice than one of our comfortable ski hoodies. Our If You Don't Après Ski Hoodie is a solid choice for the occasion. No ski day is complete without some post-shred good times and this hoodie will keep you warm and comfortable every step of the way.
Do you enjoy finding out about the best places to hang out post-ski day around the country? If so, then our après-ski blog is for you. Sign up today and never miss another post. You won't be disappointed.
