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Three girls take shots off the shot-ski at the Longhorn Saloon

9 Best Bars in Whistler in 2024

This world-class ski resort is as famous for its parties as its powder, so knowing the best best Whistler bars is a skill to take your visit to the next level.

Whether you’re looking for a couple of chill drinks, a round on the legendary shot-ski or the full table-top dancing experience, this resort has something for everyone.

Let’s get the party started.

  1. Bars
  2. Craft Beer
  3. Pub Crawls

The Best Whistler Bars

A group of partiers at the Longhorn Saloon, Whistler
Instagram: @longhornsaloon

The Longhorn Saloon

Category: Bar & Grill | 4280 Mountain Square | Crowd: 20’s/30’s | Website

Fact: nobody in the village does après better than the world-renowned Longhorn Saloon.

Conveniently situated right at the base of the Village Gondolas, this raucous hotspot can be found chock-full of skiers and snowboarders fresh off the hill.

Sit on their fully-heated patio and grab a cold pint and a plate of the legendary Longhorn’s nachos. Prefer to kick it up a notch? Then try your hand at their iconic shot-ski or a sip from the champagne showers.

The Longhorn patio comes complete with its own outdoor bar and has become famous for afternoon parties featuring some of the world’s most famous DJs.  This is the first stop on the legendary Whistler Club Crawl.

Later on, the party moves inside and features live music, DJ nights and a full dance floor that caters to a crowd of well-lubricated revellers who can often be found dancing on bar tops.

Trust me, the Longhorn is not for the faint of heart!

Related: Best Hostels in Whistler

A crowd drinks on the patio at Dubh Linn Gate, Whistler
Instagram: @dubhlinngatewhistler

Dubh Linn Gate

Category: Irish Pub | 4320 Sundial Crescent | Age: 30+ | Website

Are you on the lookout for an authentic Irish pub on your trip to Whistler? Well, the Dubh Linn Gate owners managed to design and transport this Village Stroll pub all the way from Ireland! So, how’s that for authenticity?

I head to the “Dubh” for their perfect 20 oz pints, live music and twice-daily happy hours, all of which come accompanied by a heavy dose of Irish cheer and hearty pub food that’ll stick right to your ribs. 

Irish comfort food meets West Coast goodness. Truly a winning combination!

Related: Best Vancouver to Whistler Tours

Football fans enjoy the game at Tapley's Pub, Whistler
Instagram: @tapleyspub

Tapley’s Neighbourhood Pub

Category: Sports Bar | 4119 Golfers Approach | Age: 30+ | Website

With an endless selection of TVs and a warm and homey atmosphere, Tapley’s is undoubtedly the area’s #1 sports bar. It’s got NHL hockey, NFL football, and international soccer. Basically, it’s everything any sports fan could ask for.

Known for its huge selection of beers, this self-anointed ‘locals living room’ has been a neighbourhood fixture since 1981, making it the oldest bar in the village.

While it’s my favourite spot to grab a pint and catch the big game, you can also dance the night away at Friday Night Live: Tapley’s popular live music night.

Related: The 4 Best Vancouver to Whistler Private Transfers

A group of men celebrate winning a snowboard, Crystal Lounge Whistler
Instagram: @whistlerscrystallounge

The Crystal Lounge

Category: Pub | 4154 Village Green | Crowd: 20’s/30’s | Website

In spite of its extravagant name, the Crystal Lounge is most widely known for its cheap chicken wings, fantastic beer specials and incredible happy hour.

This makes it the top après-ski option for budget travellersmillennials and Generation Z’ers.

Crystal Lounge is also the only Whistler bar with event nights: karaoke night, trivia night and jam night. Add in some pool tables, foosball, and a constant stream of sports on TV, and it’s entertainment central.

Related: How to Take the Bus from Vancouver to Whistler

Patrons dance on the bar at Merlins, Whistler
Instagram: @merlinsbarwhistler

Merlins

Category: Bar & Grill | 4553 Blackcomb Way | Crowd: 20’s/30’s | Website

If you’re staying in the Upper Village, this chalet-style venue situated at the base of Blackcomb Mountain will be your go-to destination for all your après-ski needs.

The Tex-Mex style menu and one of the largest heated patios in town make Merlins a popular destination for families earlier on in the day.

However, the bar’s hanging gondola-cabin DJ booth and frequent live music performances give Merlins a club-like atmosphere later on at night. Dancing on the bar is actively encouraged for that Coyote Ugly vibe!

Related: How to Take a Seaplane from Vancouver to Whistler

The patio at Dusty’s, Whistler
Instagram: @dustyswhistler

Dusty’s Bar and BBQ

Category: Bar & Grill | 2040 London Lane | Crowd: 30+ | Website

Staying down at Creekside? Worried you won’t have any local options? Well, your worries are over.

While you may not have the same number of choices as those in the village, you will have access to what is possibly the granddaddy of them all. I’m talking about Whistler’s original watering hole, the legendary Dusty’s Bar and BBQ.

Located right at the base of the Creekside Gondola, this Western-style saloon contains an interior fireplace and one of Whistler’s largest patios.

I go here to dine on their mouthwatering BBQ and wash it all down with what some have called the “world’s best Caesar.” I have to admit, I haven’t tried them all, but this one has got to be damn close!

While Dusty’s is family-friendly until 10:00 pm, later at night, the room comes alive with a wide variety of live music and a more exuberant atmosphere.

Whistler Craft Breweries

I speak from experience when I say there’s nothing better than an ice-cold beer after a day on the slopes.

Well, maybe an Irish coffee, but hey. Nothing is stopping you from having both.

Luckily, Whistler is now home to three beer bars (well, breweries) that have given the resort a firm place on BC’s Ale Trail

Customers sample beers at High Mountain Brewing, Whistler
Instagram: @hmbc.brewhouse

High Mountain Brewing Company

Area: The Village | 4355 Blackcomb Way | VP Fave: 5 Rings IPA | Website

Housed inside The Brewhouse Pub, High Mountain Brewing offers four flagship beers in addition to a variety of seasonal taps.

HMBC’s village stroll location, combined with its on-site brewpub, restaurant and large terrace, make it Whistler’s most popular option for people looking to sample a local pint.

My favourite choice is the 5 Rings IPA, the winner of the Best IPA award at the 2012 and 2014 BC beer awards.

Related: How to Get to Whistler from Vancouver

a bottle Whistler Brewing of beer in the wilderness
Instagram@ whistlerbrewing

Whistler Brewing Company

Area: Function Junction | 1045 Millar Creek Rd. | VP Fave: Black Tusk | Website

Located 10 minutes down the highway from the Village is Whistler’s Function Junction. This area is home to the two remaining local breweries, including the local ‘OG’ Whistler Brewing Company.

This local trailblazer of the craft brewing movement has been churning out authentic, hand-crafted artisan beers since 1989. Pop in for a few pints, take a tour or enjoy something from their extensive kitchen menu.

WBC features seven core beers that are usually accompanied by a handful of unique seasonal beers and radlers.

When I pop by I usually try one of the seasonal options, before knocking back a couple of the iconic Black Tusk Ales. This UK-style dark ale won the gold medal for mild dark beers at the 2017 World Beer Awards, so you know it’s a top-quality pint.

Related: Best Hostels in Whistler

A bartender serves a flight of Coast Mountain beers
Instagram: @coastmountainbeer

Coast Mountain Brewing

Area: Function Junction | 1212 Alpha Lake | VP Fave: Daydreamer | Website

A relative newcomer to the craft beer scene, Coast Mountain Brewing opened shop in 2016 with a goal of producing complex, flavourful and seasonal beers. 

And they’ve most definitely succeeded, as they’re already renowned throughout the province for their creativity and originality.

Head down to their sleek and modern Function Junction tasting room and choose from amongst their five core beers. For my taste, the Daydreamer is the type of smooth, easy-drinking low IBU IPA that you can drink all night.

But if you’re feeling more adventurous, why not take a stab at a beer from their sour series? The Alpenglow Blood Orange Sour is lightly soured and infused with blood oranges to create a citrusy, easy-drinking sour.

Light snacks and tours are also available on-site.

Related: Best Whistler Seaplane Tours

Whistler Pub Crawls

In my opinion, jumping on a Whistler pub crawl is simply the best way to explore all of Whistler’s bars and nightclubs.

You can meet new people, skip the lines and receive drink tickets at all the hottest spots. And all for one low price!

How can you go wrong?

A group from the Whistler Bar Hop pub crawl
Instagram: @barhopwhistler

Whistler Bar Hop

Price: $65.39 CAN | Stops: 5 | Length: 5 hours

Dubbed Whistler’s “ultimate social and local experience,” the Whistler Bar Hop is a locally guided pub crawl that takes you through 5 Whistler bars and nightclubs.

And you’re guaranteed to meet new friends from all over the world.

Worried about lines? Are you scared about dropping too much money? Well, your worries are over. Whistler Bar Hop provides you with VIP entrancefree cover and drink tickets at each location! 

Whistler Bar Hop Tour Stops

  • FireRock Lounge
  • Longhorn Saloon
  • Tapley’s Neighbourhood Pub
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Garfinkel’s

Whistler Bar Hop is the best way for travellers to experience all of the wonders of Whistler’s après scene for one low price.

For more information or to pick up your tickets, click the button below.

Grab My Tickets Now

A group from Whistler Club Crawl
Instagram: @whistlerclubcrawl

Whistler Club Crawl

Price: From $60.00 | Stops: 4 | Length: 6 hours

Run by international pub crawl specialists World Crawl, Whistler Club Crawl is catered more towards Whistler’s club scene than Whistler Bar Hop. So, if you love to dance, then this is definitely the crawl for you!

You’ll receive free fast pass entry as well as drink and shot specials at each location. Meet up, drink, and party with a group of up to 100 people (approximately 50/50 male-to-female ratio). It sure beats going out alone!

Your team of professional party hosts will guide you through Whistler’s hottest venues and provide party games to break the ice. You’ll even get a free slice of pizza at the end of the night!

Whistler Club Crawl Stops

  • Longhorn Saloon
  • Moe Joe’s
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Garfinkels 

So, if you’re ready to book the ultimate Whistler nightclub experience, then click on the button below.

Grab My Club Crawl Tickets Now

Still wanted to have more fun? Get the ultimate hopping on the best bars in Vancouver.

Best Whistler Bars Map

Whistler’s pedestrian-only village will be ground zero for your après ski adventure.

In addition to the best things to do in Whistler and a wealth of Whistler’s best restaurants, the area has dozens of bars pouring pints and slanging shots until the wee hours of the morning.

Better yet, there are tons of options located stumbling distance from all of Whistler’s best hotels

The plan of attack is entirely up to you.

Still Looking for the Best Bars in Whistler?

That’s it for Whistler bars.

I don’t know about you, but thinking about all the options is almost enough to give me a hangover!

If you feel like there is something I missed or you have any other questions, don’t be afraid to hit me up in the comment section below or on the Vancouver Planner Facebook page.

I promise there’ll be no cover charge 🙂

Julian

I've used online guides on five continents to find the world's greatest travel spots and this is my chance to give back - with insider info on my home, the mighty Vancouver BC!

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