Vail's greatest concentration of late-night haunts can be found in a 1 1/2-block stretch of Bridge Street from Hanson Ranch Road north to the covered bridge over Gore Creek. From mountainside to creek, they include the Club (tel. 970/479-0556), the Red Lion (tel. 970/476-7676), and Vendetta's (tel. 970/476-5070). Perhaps the hottest bars in town, at least according to some bar-hopping locals, are The Tap Room, 333 Bridge St. (tel. 970/479-0500), which (not surprisingly) has an extensive selection of beers on tap, plus great margaritas and a cigar lounge; and the Sanctuary, above The Tap Room at the same address and phone, a hip spot for a younger, with-it crowd, who like the wild lights and sounds and want to work up a thirst on the dance floor.

Another popular hangout is 8,150, 143 E. Meadow Dr. (tel. 970/479-0607), so named for Vail's elevation. Pool enthusiasts should check out the Sundance Saloon, 675 Lionshead Place (tel. 970/476-3453), and the Half Moon Saloon, West Vail Mall (tel. 970/476-4314), which also has video games and about a dozen TVs. Altitude Billiards & Sports Club, in the Evergreen Lodge, 250 S. Frontage Rd. (tel. 970/476-7810), keeps sports fans busy with 16 TVs and 5 regulation pool tables. A piano bar draws quieter and somewhat older types to Mickey's, in the Lodge at Vail, 174 E. Gore Creek Dr. (tel. 970/476-5011).