Happening Telluride Hotels

Party Scene at Mountain Lodge Telluride

Whoa, it’s been one heck of a summer season in Telluride with fun times that animated our beloved historic town as well as Telluride Mountain Village. 

Whether it’s a festival in Telluride Town Park or a get together with friends in a more dialed down setting, music often ranks as an integral part of the scene in our beautiful mountain town. 

Some of the best times may be found at two of Telluride’s top hotels:  the New Sheridan and Mountain Lodge. And it’s thanks to two guys–two hotel general managers (GMs)–in particular that you can enjoy an authentic night out even if you’re here during the height of the season. Ray Farnsworth has stood steady at the helm of the New Sheridan Hotel and the Chop House Restaurant & Bar for over twenty years, an eternity in the hospitality industry where GMs typically change it up every 2.5 years. Steve Togni, the #1 at Mountain Lodge Telluride, has been in charge for fourteen. Both locals, through and true, they’ve created happening scenes with a strong local’s vibe by lining up entertainment and organizing events practically year-round at their gorgeous properties. (And that’s in addition to offering great food and drink to their hotel guests, visitors and locals at their restaurants and bars.)

Electric Luau at Mountain Lodge

The Gold Kings at The Phoenix Bean at the New Sheridan

The Back Courtyard: A Nice Place to Gather at The Phoenix Bean

Mountain Lodge has held a number of big parties that have become the talk of the town during shoulder season. OK, let’s just say they know how to put on a bash. They’ve featured Joint Point, a jammy rock-and-roll band and a T-ride favorite, numerous times at their Electric Luau parties, typically held in June and September. “The Electric Luau was initially created as a simple thank you to visitors and locals alike for a great summer season at the Mountain Lodge,” says Steve.  “It was such a success and we enjoyed doing it so much that it became a twice annual event. Joint Point was the obvious choice as they have evolved into a top local act over the years. Since the inception of these events, we’ve broadened the scope of having “fun” and talented bands to include others, such as the Durango Funk Allstars who will be firing up the Disco Party this weekend.”

Mountain Lodge: A Great Place to Party

Steve and Me All Electric

I’ve attended these parties a couple of times and have had a ton of fun with my friends. (And yes, Steve. Full disclosure:  our history together goes back almost ten years!) They’ve felt like big mixers with my buddies–lots of locals–against the backdrop of great music. When I asked Steve about how his hotel guests enjoy all the hoopla, he explained to me that he and his staff have noticed that visitors often mimic the way locals dress, act and recreate. (I’ve actually observed the same thing as a Telluride ski instructor.) “So this is simply one way to make our guests feel as though they are a local, enjoying and benefitting from cool local happenings,” he continues. Mountain Lodge makes it easy, since they provide the accessories such as the leis for the luaus and, of course, yummy frozen pina coladas.

Joint Point

Steve takes Joint Point, this good-times band, so much to heart that he is known to jump in and play a few tunes with them. Now that’s what the world needs more of:  serious hotel GM wannabe rock stars. (Hope I won’t get in trouble for that one.)

Steve Hitting it with Joint Point

The New Sheridan also likes to feature local bands, often musical trios, at The Phoenix Bean, the coffeehouse they took on about two years ago. “The old Bean needed to be saved,” says Ray. “The remodel came out beautifully and people have been very receptive to this space.” 

Visiting with Ray

I enjoyed a wonderful soirée here, followed by dinner next door at the New Sheridan’s Parlor, this summer with my friend, Mary Dawn. The Phoenix Bean is a great place to begin your evening–with music, drinks and apps–before settling into more conversation and eats next door at one of the New Sheridan’s other restaurants. Or, you can spend your whole evening here.

Mary Dawn

Beautiful Bruschetta

“We’re finding our sweet spot,” says Ray. “People are pleased with the food and ambiance. I’m proud of our menu. Prices are low for Telluride and the quality has been consistent.” Indeed, this café/bar/bistrot features house made cuisine day and night. Note that the $21. steak and wine is hard to beat. We relished in a super flavorful bruschetta consisting of balsamic grilled focaccia topped with fresh tomatoes, a basil pesto ricotta spread and EVO on our night out.

Dinner at The Parlor

Their live music scene has become one of the most vibrant in Telluride. Groups play 6:30-8:30pm most Tuesdays, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays. Thursdays are reserved for Bingo Night, a hoot of a time put on by Telluride Theater replete with lots of prizes and schwag. They sometimes even have events on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Mary Dawn and I enjoyed the blues/folk sound of The Gold Kings, a local band, the night we were there. 

I always say that no trip to Telluride is complete without a stop at the New Sheridan’s Historic Bar. Thursday nights are especially lively due to the presence of a band, often Trico, a local act that knows how to set the right vibe. 

The New Sheridan: the Hub of Telluride

And so it seems that the New Sheridan has retained its standing as the hub of Telluride more so than ever. 

Thank goodness our two top hotels boast hoteliers that know how to embody the spirit of Telluride. Because this ain’t no cookie cutter town. Lord make it stay that way.

Da Vinci: Our Late Night Escort

Head over to the New Sheridan’s Phoenix Bean tonight at 6:30pm to delight in the swinging sound of Donavan Daily’s Speakeasy Jazz Quartet. You have a couple more weeks of entertainment to enjoy at the New Sheridan before they close for off season. They’ll be reopening at Thanksgiving with a full lineup of entertainment throughout the winter season.

Don your best disco duds or funky threads tomorrow, Saturday, September 22, and head over over to Mountain Lodge to boogie down to the Durango Funk Allstars & DJ Posh Josh. The concert is free and in addition to lots of food and drink specials, you can have dinner there at The View Bar & Grill. The live music is slated for an 8pm start, however, I recommend you go early, since sunsets here are stunning. 

Keep in mind that fall is a glorious time of year for visiting Telluride. Peak foliage typically occurs at the very beginning of October, so you still have time to line up a lovely stay at either the New Sheridan Hotel or Mountain Lodge Telluride.

Magnificent Mountain Lodge in Telluride