By Hayley Helms
These are the best spots to relax—and turn up—after a day on the slopes.
Mammoth, California is a global destination for skiing and snowboarding, with endless terrain for all skill levels—especially expert—and some of the best, most consistent snow all winter long. Off hill, the humble mountain town offers some pretty great options for unwinding, too. Whether you’re into chill vibes and stargazing, craft breweries and live music, dive bars or dance parties, Mammoth has an après scene for pretty much every taste. Below, we’ll suggest a party for every mood in our take on the Mammoth après ski guide. (Pro Tip: base out of the Outbound Mammoth to stay central with access to everything.)
For the Best Apres Party
The best (and newest) apres party in town is “Night Shift” at Bar Sierra at Outbound, featuring DJ WLDCT and special guest DJs all season long. Started in 2024, Night Shift has cemented itself as the place to be once the ski day is over. The party is on every Saturday night, and starts at 10pm—and ends “late”. (We will leave it to you, dear reader, to fill in the gap here.) Entry is twenty bucks with rotating drink specials, and the local favorite scene is definitely “a vibe”.
For a Chilled-Out Evening
Sometimes a day on the slopes just takes it out of you—and all you can think about is sitting down somewhere comfortable, beer in hand. (For the wine aficionados among us, check out the Outbound’s Lobby Wine Bar for elevated snacks and an impressive list curated by Advanced Sommelier Chip Ermish.)
If you’re like us, the thing you need after a day of riding powder is a little live music to cruise into the later part of the day. Our top spots for seeing bands IRL are Distant Brewing, Bar Sierra, and Liberty. Liberty is the best place to see live music in Mammoth. Bar Sierra delivers local beers and bites in a cozy, lodge-like atmosphere. And at Distant Brewing, you can try the brewery’s famously creative flavors and listen to great bands every week. (Pst: Open mic nights are on Mondays!)
If you’re in the mood for hanging with friends and actually being able to hear your conversation, I’d also recommend Mammoth Brewing Company. Crafting beers since 1995, Mammoth Brewing is located less than ten minutes from the chairlift and just a mile and a half down the road from Outbound—it’s convenient, has great brews and a chill scene.
Shelter Distilling is another highly recommended stop for anyone looking for a little R&R. Like Mammoth Brewing, Shelter is located in the heart of The Village at Mammoth, at the base of the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area gondola that services Canyon Lodge. Unlike other hot spots in town, Shelter has more of a casual, sophisticated vibe—you can enjoy a drink without getting rowdy. Shelter is a working distillery, brewery, and kitchen, and is open seven days a week. It’s first come, first serve, so plan for that ahead of time.
For the Turn-Up
Have some extra energy? Feel like continuing your stoke late into the night? Don’t worry, Mammoth has tons of spots to scratch that itch. Here are my favorites.
If you’re in the mood for bar hopping, Clocktower Cellar and Lakanuki are two of my favorite spots. Clocktower is known for its dive feel and high-energy vibes—though it winds down at 11pm—while Lakanuki is a Tiki bar that brings the island spirit to the mountains and stays open until 2am. They’re angled toward a more spirited crowd, so if you’re looking for a good time, these are two spots to check out—and as a bonus, they’re within walking distance of one another.
Clocktower is located across from the Village Gondola, underneath the Alpenhof Lodge’s clock tower, while Lakanuki is located just 0.1 miles away, across the street from The Village Lodge.
For the Morning After
Fighting a hangover? Want to get an early start? Either way, local favorite Latin Market is the place to hit if you send it a little deep the night before. Their breakfast burrito will bring you back to life, trust me.
Another great local-approved option for breakfast (and lunch!) is the Cafe Crêpe truck, conveniently parked outside Bar Sierra on the Outbound Hotel property. Open Thursday through Monday, the French-owned mobile cafe offers authentic sweet and savory crepe options alongside a full menu of organic, specialty coffee drinks.
How to Get Around
Although mountain towns can be known for their lack of public transportation (or availability of Ubers and Lyfts at 2:30am) Mammoth has plenty of options for getting around responsibly. Here are a couple resources to bookmark now, so you don’t have to worry later.
Town Trolley
Mammoth’s local transportation, the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority, provides free rides for visitors and locals alike, all over town (including a stop right outside of Outbound Mammoth). There are both summer and winter routes, and the trolley runs until 2am. Summer routes also have access to all your favorite hikes and activities including the Mammoth Lakes Basin, Reds Meadow, and Mammoth Adventure Center.
Mammoth Taxi Service
Along with offering rides to the airport, Mammoth Taxi also offers On Demand Taxi Services in the town of Mammoth Lakes. You can call for days and hours of operation during your visit, and the Taxi Dispatch team can be reached at 760-934-8294 or 760-924-TAXI.
Ridesharing
Uber and Lyft are both available in Mammoth Lakes—just be sure to plan ahead and have a back-up option in case the wait is too long, it’s too late, or it’s peak hours.
Walking
Mammoth is more walkable than you’d think. This is especially true with the help of a beer blanket to keep you warm. If you can’t get a ride and you’re staying in town, count walking back as a solid (and safer) alternative to driving. Call it stargazing.
