Shoulder Season: Tahoe Bars for All Weather
Best Bars in Tahoe for Fall // tahoefabulous.com
Fall is definitely my favorite season in Tahoe. The crowds have died down, but there's still stuff to do outside. The weather can be hit or miss - some days are rainy and cold, giving a preview of winter to come and some are a throwback to summer with clear skies and hot temperatures. After a long day on the trail or on the beach, it's nice to wind down with a cold beer, glass of wine, or fancy cocktail.
Outdoor Venues
If it's sunny out, I want to soak up what might be the last nice day for awhile, so here are my recommendations for places to grab a drink outside. In South Lake Tahoe, MacDuff’s Public House has outdoor seating when the weather is good. It's not right on the lake, but they have a full bar and usually an awesome beer selection. If you're looking for something on the water, the Beacon Bar & Grill at Camp Richardson is just a little west of South Lake Tahoe and has the best deck view on the shore. Riva Grill at Ski Run Marina is higher end, and to be honest, I'm not a huge fan of their food, but they've got a great deck and everyone should try their signature drink, the Wet Woody at least once. Sidellis Brewery is located slightly off the beaten path, but has a large, fenced in outdoor area that is dog friendly and features cornhole and great beer.On the north shore, there are quite a few restaurants and bars that offer the outdoor drinking experience. On the Nevada side, Alibi Ale Works in Incline Village has an awesome outdoor seating area out back that has live music some nights, complete with fire pits for low temps.
In Kings Beach, I love Jason's Beachside Grille. This is a great place to get a delicious glass of wine while watching the sunset from their Adirondack chairs before dinner. Down the road in Tahoe City is Tahoe Mountain Brewing Co., which has a patio where you can eat & drink outside and enjoy lake views. (See my favorite Tahoe Mountain Brews here). In Truckee, 1882 Bar and Grill is right on the Truckee River and is located in historic downtown.
Sidellis Brewery
Indoor Bars
If the weather drives drives me inside, there are quite a few bars - from dives serving PBR to lounges with fancy cocktails that I enjoy. If you're looking for a cheap place to get a beer in South Lake Tahoe, you can't beat Turn 3 and its two-for-one happy hour beer prices. For fancier beer, head to South Lake Brewing Company. It's in a large, warehouse-type building with lots of table games - so it's perfect for days when the weather is awful and you're looking for something to do. They also allow well behaved dogs. I also love the Himmel Haus, near Heavenly Ski Resort. They have a great selection of Bavarian beer, German food, a foosball table and a cozy fire. They often host events like trivia, ski movies, and theme parties.For something a little different, go see a movie at Tahoe Art Haus in Tahoe City. It's an awesome locally-owned theater that serves beer, wine, and cider and has organic popcorn with a whole bar of toppings. They usually have the latest big releases, and show indies and local ski films during the slower season. For another off-the-beaten path option, the small bar in the very hip Basecamp Hotel Tahoe has a few beers on tap and wines available and the atmosphere is very different from your typical hotel bar.
In Truckee, wait out the bad weather downtown at Moody’s Bistro, Bar and Beats in downtown Truckee – the gorgeous ambiance, knowledgeable bartenders, and live music make the somewhat pricey cocktails worth it. Also in the historic downtown is the Truckee location of Alibi Ale Works which has a larger beer selection than the Incline Village location and also has kombucha and nitro brew coffee on draft.
Tahoe Round the Lake Beer Tour // tahoefabulous.com
If you're looking for somewhere to watch a game, The Blue Coyote Bar & Grill is the main sports bar in town and is located in an area of town that is less touristy, if you're looking for that. It has tons of tvs, so whatever you want to watch is likely to be on - or just ask! Their staff is very friendly.Or if you have a designated driver, tackle my Round the Lake Beer Tour, taking you from Truckee and around the lake, hitting up by favorite breweries and beer bars along the way!