For a town of just 10,000, Whistler has a pretty good nightlife scene. Of course, it is considered the preeminent ski resort in North America and attracts millions of year-round visitors. Bands touring through Vancouver regularly make the trip up the Sea-to-Sky Highway; some even make Whistler their Canadian debut. Concert listings can be found in the free weekly “Pique” (www.piquenewsmagazine.com).
Tommy Africa’s (tel. 604/932-6090; www.tommyafricas.com), beneath the Rexall at the entrance to the Main Village, and the dark and cavernous Maxx Fish (tel. 604/932-1904; www.maxxfish.com), in the Village Square below the Amsterdam Cafe, cater to the 19-to-22-year-old crowd. The crowds at Garfinkel’s (tel. 604/932-2323; www.gibbonshospitality.com/garfinkels), at the entrance to Village North, and Moe Joe’s (tel. 604/935-1152; www.moejoes.com) on Golfer’s Approach are similar, though perhaps appropriate for slightly older ages.
The Cinnamon Bear Bar in the Hilton (tel. 604/966-5060; www.hiltonwhistler.com), Buffalo Bills (tel. 604/932-6613; www.gibbonshospitality.com/buffalobills) across from the Whistler Gondola, and sports bar Tapleys (tel. 604/932-4011; www.gibbonshospitality.com/tapleys), off the Village Square, cater to the 30-something set. Bills is bigger, with a pool table, video ski machine, a small dance floor, and music straight from the 1980s. Tapleys has multiple screens for airing hockey games, and the Cinnamon Bear is a slick, tranquil spot.
For a short visit, try the four- or five-bar Whistler Club Crawl (tel. 604/722-2633; www.whistlerclubcrawl.com) to skip the lines and save on cover. Guided tours run on Thursday and Saturday nights. The C$60 cost covers dinner, five drinks, and cover for each adult.
If all you want to do is savor a beer and swap ski stories, try the Whistler BrewHouse (tel. 604/905-2739; www.mjg.ca/brewhouse) in Village North or the fun and very Irish Dubh Linn Gate Old Irish Pub (tel. 604/905-4047; www.dubhlinngate.com) in the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside hotel, which often features live musicians.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
