Park City’s perfect patios
Sipping under the sun and stars
Summer 2023
Written By: Ted Scheffler
As much as we all love playing in the abundant Park City snow during the winter, we also can’t wait for the weather to turn warm so we can take advantage of the abundant patios, decks, terraces and courtyards that lend themselves to an al fresco drink.
Luckily, in Park City, there are a gaggle of great venues for an après cocktail — from Main Street and Kimball Junction to Prospector and Pinebrook. Here are some can’t miss spots for outdoor imbibing.
DOS OLAS
You might feel like you’ve ventured into Cabo when you garner a table at Dos Olas, a Mexican restaurant and cantina with an inviting slopeside beach and outdoor patio — plus, complimentary parking at Pendry Park City. There’s live music — often a Latin or Caribbean variety — all summer long and the freshly made margaritas, like Flora Hamaica, Papi Chulo Apasionado and Pica Mucho, pair perfectly with the tinga tacos, chips and guac, camarones y aguacate and many more south-of-the-border drinks and dishes.
THE POOL HOUSE BAR & GRILLE
A few steps and an elevator ride away from Dos Olas is The Pool House Bar & Grille, Pendry’s rooftop bar and lounge, which offers unsurpassed 360-degree views of Park City Mountain. Lounge by the pool while sipping on a signature cocktail, such as the Canyons Spritzer, cold beer or a glass of wine, alongside scrumptious bar snacks like crispy buffalo cauliflower, truffle parmesan fries and veggie flatbread. There are DJ jams on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, too.
TUPELO
Parking in Park City can be challenging — even in the summer. But that’s not the case at Tupelo, which offers free off-street parking in abundance. At Tupelo, the chef and owner Matt Harris cultivates a menu that’s built around local ingredients and is melded with techniques and culinary influences from around the world — all with a Southern spin. How could you resist a spot on the sprawling Tupelo deck while enjoying a Resting Bee Face cocktail with smoked trout dip and house pickles or the Nashville hot chicken bites with maple sabayon and chervil.
BLIND DOG RESTAURANT & RAW BAR
The expansive patio at Blind Dog Restaurant & Raw Bar in Prospector is festooned with colorful umbrellas and is an ideal spot to enjoy the “Happiest of Hours” featuring freshly shucked oysters, tuna nachos, cheesesteak eggrolls and crispy coconut shrimp. Wash it all down with a beer, a cocktail or a glass of wine from one of the most robust wine lists in town. Sake lovers will go gaga over the extensive sake selection.
ROYAL STREET CAFÉ AND DEER VALLEY CAFÉ
Deer Valley Resort offers outdoor drinks and dining at two locations: Royal Street Café and Deer Valley Café. The mountain views from Royal Street’s sun-drenched deck complement their food and drink menu, which includes a crowd-pleasing ahi tuna tower, dan dan nachos, jackalope sausage sandwich and the sensational short rib grilled cheese on Texas toast. Trying their award-winning blueberry mojito is a must. Meanwhile, over on the deck at Deer Valley Café, which sits lakeside and boasts outstanding mountain views, you can work up an appetite paddleboarding on the lake before digging into drinks and a meal. We recommend the weekly Dinners on the Deck.
SILVER STAR CAFÉ
Located on the back side of the Park City Golf Course at the base of Park City Mountain’s Silver Star Lift, is the Silver Star Café. This beloved hot spot sports incredible views and abundant outdoor seating. You can access hiking and biking trails directly from the Silver Star Village Plaza before or after you indulge in the café’s killer comfort food, live music and luscious libations. Gluten-free folks will appreciate the abundance of gluten-free menu items and beers sans gluten.
STERLING STEAK & LOUNGE
There’s plenty of indoor seating (and live music) at Sterling Steak & Lounge, but on a sunny day, it’s hard to beat a table on their patio, which has views over the Swaner Preserve. If you can make it to their Sunday brunch, you’ll be treated to an all-you-can-eat buffet that includes things like chicken and waffles and a carving station with prime rib and roasted ham. Dinner guests can nosh on their impressive selection of seafood and steaks.
COURCHEVEL BISTRO
Named for Park City’s sister city in the French Alps, Courchevel Bistro on Main Street is the perfect place to enjoy French-inspired fare under the stars as you enjoy chef Clement Gelas’ award-winning cuisine on the gorgeous patio. Bistro menu highlights include baked brie, Arctic char bouillabaisse, moules frites, pheasant cassoulet and Crozets de Savoie, plus a wine selection that is second to none.
POWDER RESTAURANT
Situated in the Waldorf Astoria Park City is one of the most beautifully appointed restaurants in the state. Powder Restaurant offers abundant outdoor patio seating and a beautiful location at the base of Park City Mountain. Kick things off with The Last Rhum or Penicillin cocktail before diving into the curated wine list and culinary temptations such as cider-braised pork belly, scallops with brown butter, Chilean sea bass or a Niman Ranch tomahawk pork chop. Then, consider taking a stroll on the trails around Canyons Village on a moonlit night.
