The Gambit Bar is Vail’s newest après lounge, celebrating crafted classics with a modern interpretation in both taste and presentation.
“The Gambit Bar marries the classic with the contemporary – tipping its hat to the luxury of decades past, from the 1920s to the ’40s and ’50s,” said John D’Angelo, general manager of The Sebastian Vail.
The Gambit Bar is located inside Vail’s most art-centric hotel and welcomes guests for après bites and early dinner, as well as visitors in search of distinctive cocktail flavor combinations set in an elevated atmosphere.
Artful mixology
The Shiffrin 75, named for Vail’s beloved local world champion skier, is a twist on the post-war French 75 but trades its original gin base for cognac and incorporates lingonberry gastrique, fresh lemon and Cava bubbles atop.
Warm up with a handful of hot options, including the 10th Mountain Cider. Head Mixologist Garret Cosgrove crafts house-spiced rum aged with Old World spices like cardamom, cinnamon, clove and star anise. A ginger-infused sorghum syrup brings it all into perfect balance.
Thoughtful mocktails, a large selection of both Colorado craft beers and imported selections, and a Wine Spectator award-winning wine program, courtesy of the stunning 400-bottle wine tower in sister outlet Leonora, complete The Gambit Bar’s beverage offerings.
Culinary delights
Longtime Vail culinarian Chef Kevin Erving crafts beautifully presented shareables with house-created flavors that can’t be enjoyed elsewhere.
Enjoy whipped ricotta topped with mint, and chili-infused honey and served with spiced pita, or tuck into the decadent Hatch chili cheddar fries made using Beehive Hatch chili cheddar topped with chorizo and scallions. Follow with an order of crispy Brussels sprouts with ginger soy and peanuts, and smoked gouda and dill mac and cheese to share.
Additional small plates include an artfully presented cheese board, featuring international and local artisan cheeses that rotate weekly along with house-made Palisade peach and Espelette chile pepper jam, and a meat board with melt-in-your-mouth tender Iberico ham, local charcuterie from Denver-based Elevation Meats, and rounded out with pickled Piparra peppers from Spain.
Heartier bites include two tempting paninis, a truffle grilled cheese, featuring pecorino and truffled goat cheese, and a prime rib French dip, complemented with provolone, horseradish, and au jus. Don’t miss the delectable 7X Wagyu beef burger and wood-fired pizzas featuring signature house-made bison pepperoni.
Live entertainment
Après at The Gambit Bar means live music featuring some of the best musicians in the Vail Valley seven days a week.
Jazz saxophonist and singer Brent Gordon will start the week off on Monday evenings. The stellar lineup continues with duo Natalie Wade and her partner Nick Steingart playing classic hits with a bluegrass kick on Tuesdays. Soulful valley staple Brendan McKinney brings Americana favorites to the bar on Wednesdays. Catch touring artist John Michel, best known for his easy-going style and sounds, on Thursdays. The Gandy Dancers – singer/songwriter Kevin Danzig and banjo man Casey Boyd — bring irresistible dance music on Fridays, while longtime singer/songwriter Rob Eaton, Jr. shares his eclectic style and soulful presence on Saturdays. Andy Cyphert, voted Vail’s Best Musician for the past six years, headlines on Sundays.
After the après fun concludes, house jazz music featuring classics from the Rat Pack to Michael Bublé, Miles Davis to Ella Fitzgerald, provides the perfect pairing to the timeless refinement and sophistication of The Gambit Bar.
The Gambit Bar will be open daily, from 4 p.m. to midnight.