One glorious summer we spent a month in Breckenridge Colorado. It was the vacation of a lifetime and we really got to know the town, including the best Breckenridge restaurants, and more importantly, the best Breckenridge happy hour to offer that is appropriate for families.
NOTE: Check the website or call before you go to confirm the deals still stand, but this gives you a good place to start.
In addition to my own experience, I enlisted the help of the experts at Breckenridge Tourism Office to help put together this list for families, because it's not only about the booze. Know one we missed in Breck or in the larger Summit County? Leave a comment.
Happy Hour: 3-6 pm daily
Motherloaded has the happiest of hours! Fun and funky spot, Americana kitschy with $2 off all house-infused cocktails and $1 beer, wine, and select shots. Also comfortable for families with younger kids as happy hour is offered in the restaurant area. Temporarily closed.
Happy Hour: Monday-Thursdays, 2-5 pm
At Breckenridge Brewery enjoy half-priced apps and $3 craft beer brews (all the beer served at this original location is made in-house). This microbrewery has good craft beer and a nice pub menu. Go Monday-Thursday for half-price apps, get a bunch, and share to make it dinner. They always have a $7 kids menu. If ordering from the menu, our crew enjoyed the burger and fish and chips.
Happy Hour: 3-5 pm daily
At The Quandary Grille at Breckenridge Ski Resort's daily happy hour enjoy 25% off apps and great discounts on wells, drafts, house wine. They have a bar but the restaurant part really feels like a sit-down casual pub dinner, so I like this one a lot for families with younger kids.
Happy Hour: 3-6 pm daily
Mi Casa has free chips and salsa plus three tacos for $5, and they usually put out free nachos at 5 pm, plus cheap beer/pitchers of margaritas, etc. Happy hour is in the Cantina and deck area which overlooks the Blue River, not the restaurant.
Bonus - they offer a dedicated gluten-free menu if you've got someone with restrictions (though I'm not sure if you can get GF tacos at happy hour prices). A popular happy hour spot for good reason.
Happy Hour: 11 am - 2 pm on Weekends and 2 - 5 pm on Weekdays
We visited Canteen Tap House based on positive Yelp reviews (and a decent happy hour). It didn't disappoint, and it had enough kid-friendly choices that everyone found something they liked. If the weather is nice enough, enjoy their outdoor patio.
Happy Hour: 3-6 pm daily
The Gold Pan Saloon in Breckenridge's oldest bar, so you definitely want to have a drink here. Although not always called the Gold Pan, there has been a saloon on this site since 1865. The actual bar you belly up to dates back to the 1800's!
For happy hour expect $1 off draft beer, $2 off tap wine, as well as $2-$5 food specials. Stay late for live music, because no matter when you go, you can get a PBR for $3.
Happy Hour: 4-6 pm daily
Aurum's first location is in Steamboat, but now you can find them in Breckenridge too. During happy hour get half-priced snacks, $9 select bottles of wine, half-off draft beer, and $7 classic cocktails! If you're looking for a full meal, folks on Trip Advisor cannot stop raving about the french onion burger!
Happy Hour: 3-6 pm and again 9-10 pm
If it's not too cold, sit out on the back deck at Kenosha. They actually have not one, but TWO happy hours! They have a decent happy hour with a good hummus plate. We didn't eat dinner here because the wait was too long, but the food looked and smelled delicious. During Happy Hour enjoy 50% off select appetizers, $8 select cocktails, $3 and $4 select tap beers, and $6 and $8 select glasses of wine.
If you have older kids or kids with more adventurous palates, these spots offer great quality food and a taste of finer dining, plus a nice glass of wine for mom and dad! Or leave the kids at home and head out for an early date night.
Happy Hour: 4-6 pm daily
Charming restaurant in an old house with a great atmosphere. Twist has a fantastic happy hour. Enjoy $1.5 PBRs in a can, $4 Fate Belgian Pale Ale Draft, $5 glasses of select wine, and $5 cocktails, including a "Bartenders Cocktail of the Evening."
Happy Hour: 2-5 pm daily
Blue River Bistro happy hour is at the bar area only (they do have tables in the bar area) - this one is best if you have older kids, not a great fit for younger ones. Two-for-one apps and martinis.
Afterward, you can split something off the full menu and get the high-quality dining experience for less.
Happy Hour: 3-5 pm daily
Legends Steak and Italian has a special happy hour menu, as well as wine specials and $3 draft beers, and $4 high-end wells.
Happy Hour: 4-5:30 pm daily
I'd probably save Relish for a quick date, best if the teens want to skip out for coffee or a walk along Main Street. Relish is located in downtown Breckenridge. Enjoy $3 can/bottle beer specials, $5 draft beer, $6 select cocktails, or $6 glasses of wine. They have a great special - choose one happy hour drink and one appetizer for $13, definitely one of the best happy hours in Breckenridge! I usually do wine here, normal size apps, not a meal, but really, really good.
Happy Hour: 4-6 pm
Visit Hearthstone fine dining restaurant for happy hour and get craft cocktail drink specials, $3 Colorado microbrews and domestic beers, and $7 wine specials, plus small plates from $8-$10.
Happy Hour: Friday and Saturday 4-6 pm
Briar Rose has happy hour offering two for one cocktail, beers, and house wine! They also offer 1/2-priced small plates in the bar or on the outside patio on Friday and Saturday.
Downstairs at Eric's is a popular establishment on Main Street with locals and tourists. Waiting for a table isn't a big deal because you can play skeeball for 50 cents while you wait on your table.
Empire Burgers are good. Fresh cut fries are great, and the handmade margaritas are awesome. Even my Bud Light drinking husband was impressed and commented that we should learn how to make these.
This gem is quite a hot spot. There was a line down the street every night for Crepes a la Cart, a food truck-style eatery. I finally stopped for a savory crepe and my son had one of the sweet varieties. Quite tasty. Bring cash, they don't accept credit or debit cards.
I was a bit disappointed to learn Daylight Donuts was a chain, but good donuts all the same. Bring friends and enjoy the extra-large, bigger than your hand cinnamon rolls.