Aspen's nightlife is unrelenting, unreserved and can be summed up in one word: F-U-N!  With more restaurants, bars and nightclubs than you could ever visit in a single vacation, know before you visit that your afternoons and evenings will be as action-packed as your days on the slopes.

NEW THIS YEAR

The Aspen Brewery. A full production micro-brewery opened in April 2008 and serves up frosty mugs to local patrons. Duncan Clauss, a home brewer who has frequented Aspen for the last 15 years, opened the brewery and tasting room with partners Brad Veltman and Rory Douthit. ( 557 North Mill St.; 970.274.9998)

Social, Aspen's newest restaurant and lounge, opened last winter on Hopkins Avenue. Tommy Tolleson and Gunnar Sachs, owners of the popular Elevation Restaurant, designed their newest endeavor with sleek, modern furnishings and accents to complement a chic, new menu of global tapas and small plates meant for sharing. The lower level of Social is an intimate restaurant setting with reservations recommended, while the upstairs space features a wine and tapas bar and late night lounge. (304 East Hopkins Ave.; 970.925.9700)

Kiddie Cookers. A cooking school that only accepts aspiring chefs under the age of 13 has opened under the tutelage of culinary connoisseur Shael Berni. The school specializes in organic cuisine with an emphasis on nutritional recipes.  A myriad of cooking programs are offered including after-school classes, mother-daughter classes, father-son classes, birthday parties, and private cooking lessons.  (970-544-0264 or shaelberni@gmail.com) 

The famous Taster's Pizza in Snowmass now has a new location in Aspen. Enjoy those same great slices, salads and pastas served up at the former Grill Next Door building. (455 Rio Grande Place; 970.544.3421)

The newly opened Crystal Palace Grille located in the historic Crystal Palace Theatre building opened in June. The Crystal Palace Grille also features the same décor as the original Crystal Palace Theatre, and live music and open-mic nights still draw cheerful crowds. (300 East Hyman Ave.)

Buenos Aires Grill will add new international fare to Aspen's dining roster. The authentic South American eatery will serve up traditional Argentinean food with classic meat dishes, empanadas, and seafood in the space formerly occupied by Tex Mex restaurant Blue Maize. (308 South Hunter)

APRES, DINING & NIGHTLIFE

DishAspen - located in the former Mogador space, DishAspen's chef Matt Zubrod serves up creative dishes like Lobster pot pie, Spicy Risotto Cake and Kobe Chili Cheese fries. They also offer a private chef's table which seats up to 8. Try the 'dish of the day'! 430 E. Hyman Ave. 970-925-7119.

The Double Dog - Inside The Steak Pit, this new pub offers a dozen draft beers and bar menu. Cozy up to the fireplace in this local's hangout.  Open daily from 4 p.m.-close. 970-925-3459.

D19 - Former chef of Ajax Tavern, Dena Marino is known for her tasty homemade dishes. Try the wild boar gnocchi or the octopus salad.  307 S. Mill St. 970-925-6019.

Brunelleschi's Pizza - Formerly Merlin's, choose from numerous specialty thin-crust pizza or create your own. Casual but chic, a great place for kids! Open 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. 205 S. Mill St in the Mill Street Plaza. 970-544-4644.

Crust - Located in Aspen Highlands Village, Crust offers different styles of pizza: Chicago deep dish, NY-style, wheat-free and gourmet. Wine pairings and full bar.  Open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse -  Ruth's Chris, new to Aspen last ski season, specializes in USDA Prime grade steaks served in Ruth's Chris signature fashion. Located on the corner of Cooper St. and Galena St. across from Paradise Bakery.  Open 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. 970-925-1172.

Come see why The Denver Post calls the menu at Sage at the Snowmass Club"drop-dead delicious."  Sage incorporates Colorado's finest organic and local ingredients in an elegant, yet cozy fireside dining experience. Highlights from the winter menu include Oven Roasted New Zealand Grouper atop quinoa, oven-dried cherry tomatoes, saffron-orange sauce and brocolinni; Roasted Organic Chicken Breast accompanied by white bean and pancetta cassoulet, grilled radicchio salad with rocket pesto; and Braised Beef Short Ribs doused in bourbon bbq served with crispy herbed gnocchi and steamed green beans.

For lighter fare and après ski dining, new chef Randall Baldwin has revitalized the menu at Sage Bar featuring small plate items like orange-hoisen glazed duck "tacos," jumbo lump crab cakes, thin crust Greek pizza, and parmesan truffle fries. Rest and digest après ski, for lunch or dinner! Serving daily, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Call 970.923.5600 for reservations.

After a day carving through fresh powder, unwind at the Sage Bar and Living Room at the Snowmass Club.  Offering a casual atmosphere, cozy couches and a stone hearth fireplace, Sage Bar is the perfect gathering spot to get warm, take it easy, and enjoy an après ski drink from the extensive selection of wines, scotches, and cordials.  And beer lovers can baby their bellies with numerous Colorado microbrews on tap.  Open daily, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 970.923.5600. 

While in Aspen, don't miss Eric's Bar - four bars in one. If you're looking to play pool Aspen Billiards has regulation Billiards tables and is open until 2 a.m. The Cigar Bar smoking lounge offers a relaxed environment. And for the most happening scene, the main bar area - Eric's – is where you sip on cocktails. Need a break from the action? Step on over to Su Casa's bar for a superb margarita and great Mexican fare. With four bars in one, you can't go wrong. 970-920-4244.

Bar Aspen - (formerly Shooter's) owned by local Brooklyn Bill, revamped with new style but still casual and local. Downstairs on the corner of Hyman Ave. and Galena. 970-925-4567.

Overlooking the courtyard and facing Aspen Mountain, Montagna in The Little Nell Hotel, is a well-known hot spot for locals.  Offering contemporary American cooking and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, the atmosphere is casual yet elegant.  The talents Master Sommelier Richard Betts, who oversees a 15,000 bottle private wine cellar combine to create a very special meal.  Montagna is the recipient of Wine Spectator's Grand Award and is available for private events. 970-920-6330.

Johnny McGuire's Deli serves up hot and cold specialty sandwiches like 'The Trucker' and 'The Bob Marley' and a variety of breakfast burritos. Carry out or sit-in and soak up the local flavor. 970-920-9255.

Kids of all ages love Boogie's - a 50's style diner serving huge burger's, fries, veggie special's and heart-healthy meals. Open for lunch and dinner. Save room for one of their fountain style milkshakes! 970-925-6610.

Recently voted one of the "Top 10 poolside bars in America" by Playboy magazine, 39 Degrees at The Sky Hotel, is simply the hippest bar in Aspen. With great cocktails and food, perfect music, a compelling mix of cushy couches and  two outdoor fire pits to cozy up to around the pool deck, 39 Degrees is a must for après ski. 970-925-6760.

The J-Bar at the Hotel Jerome - Maintaining its original 19th century style, the J-Bar interior exudes the same Western saloon flare it had when silver miners bellied up to the bar to celebrate their good fortune.  Open from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., the J-Bar has a wide variety of draft and bottled beers and a great bar menu with salads, sandwiches and daily specials.  970-920-1000.

The newly redone AjaxTavern, located at the base of Aspen Moutain, provides some of the best people watching intown.  Don't miss the truffle and parmesan French fries!  NEW this year is dinner.  Stay tuned for information.  970-920-6334.

Famous for its ribs (as seen on Oprah!) The Hickory House on the corner of 7th and Main St in Aspen, offers award-winning baby back ribs, chicken and beef. Delivery and take-out available. Great breakfast too! 970-925-2313.

Bentley's is a local's favorite for beers and classic bar food. The mantra of Bentley's is that they "put the fun back in dys-fun-ctional". Located in the Wheeler Opera House building.  970-920-2240.

Elevation, located on Hopkins Avenue, is modern, American bistro with a friendly, fun staff. Try  the Wasabi Caesar salad or the margarita mussels- delicious! 970-544-5166.

The Wild Fig offers Mediterranean cuisine from Spain, Greece, Italy and France. Across from the Wheeler Opera House. 970-925-5160.

Lulu Wilson's dishes out modern American food with a French and Spanish flair.   Located at 316 E. Hopkins Ave. in the former space of Genre restaurant.  970-920-1893

Mezzaluna has après specials such as 2 beers and a pizza for 10 bucks. A great place for dinner too. 970-920-9333

Club Chelsea has live music and DJ's. Open 9 p.m.-2 a.m. On the Hyman Ave Mall. A local's favorite!

Looking for a late night nosh? New York Pizza on the Hyman Avenue Mall serves up slices of pizza until 2 a.m. 970-920-3088.

Did you say sushi? Kenichi has everything you would want, amazing food, awesome staff, great vibe. Open nightly from 5:30 p.m. 970-920-2212.

Blue Maize is a local's favorite. Newly renovated offering more dining space (and the best place to watch the sun go down from their patio) offering inventive southwestern cuisine. Fabulous margaritas!  308 S. Hunter St. 970-925-6698.

Zane's now located in downtown Aspen and on the Snowmass Village Mall, serves up 25¢ hot wings and $1 drafts during happy hour every day. Attention NFL football fans: Zane's is the only place in Snowmass that televises all Sunday football games throughout the season. With friendly faces and a casual atmosphere, Zane's is open until 2 a.m.  970-544-9263 in Aspen and 970-923-0162 in Snowmass Village. 

The Mountain Dragon is a Snowmass institution with a Chinese restaurant on one side and a pub on the other. Play foosball, try one of their microbrews, or if you get there early enough, take advantage of the free appetizers. 970-923-3576.

Big Hoss Barbecue - Located in the old Sno' Beach Café spot on the Snowmass Village Mall, Big Hoss offers Southwestern fare, including BBQ from various regions. Also, serving breakfast. Open  from 7:30am-9pm. Snowmass Village Mall. 970-923-2598.

Jimmy's All-American Restaurant & Bar. Over 100 mescals and tequila's along with Rocky Mountain fare and a great local crowd. Enjoy a live blues band every Friday night and Salsa night on Saturdays. Open nightly from 5:30 p.m. 205 S. Mill St.

Pacifica Seafood in the middle of downtown and Aspen's biggest raw seafood bar serves up great people watching and an extensive wine list. 970-920-9775.

Bumps' deck at the base of Buttermilk is a great place to soak up the sun while watching the last few diehards riding the Crazy T'rain Park. Drink and appetizer specials are available daily. 970-920-6330.

Explore Bistro is Aspen's only vegetarian restaurant and offers regional, international and artisanal cuisine.  Located in Explore Bookstore on Main St. Open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 970-925-5338.

At Aspen Highlands, ZG Grill, offers up a rocking après scene, tasty burgers and cold drinks 970-920-9449.  Also at Highlands, check out Willow Creek at the Ritz Carlton Club, its huge deck and views of Highlands are fantastic 970-429-2327.