Lake Tahoe Nightlife

South Lake Tahoe Nightlife

As the sun goes down in South Lake Tahoe, the lights, fun and excitement heat up. With something happening 24-7, you may never go to sleep.

Whether you've come for winter skiing or summer sightseeing, enjoy Lake Tahoe's nightlife as much as its day-time fun. Find cozy bars, dance clubs and five-star dining around the lake and 24-hour action across the Nevada border.

Après-ski at Lake Tahoe is more than just taking off your boots and sipping cocoa. Rise to new happy hour heights at Tahoe's ski resorts. Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge has drinks and food at the top of the tram, while NorthStar offers champagne, a raw bar and s'mores around a fire pit at the mid-mountain resort level. Restaurants, bars, a movie theater and skating fill the village at the mountain base. Find casual bars at base lodges for many of the region's dozen other resorts.

In the mood for five-star dining? South Lake Tahoe has that covered too. Fresh California produce and award-winning wines are part of the year-round gastronomy surrounding the lake. Six Peaks Grille at Squaw, Manzanita at NorthStar and the Soule Domain at Kings Beach are among northern Lake Tahoe's top restaurants. Jimmy's at the Landing, Evan's American Gourmet Café and Nephele also offer culinary delights.

For gambling and entertainment, drive to Reno, the "Biggest Little City in the World," less than an hour from Lake Tahoe's eastern shore. Top-billed performers fill major entertainment venues. Check the schedule at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts for a touring Broadway show or the Reno Phil Chorus and orchestra.

Catch a live concert at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino for more good times. The huge indoor theater draws well-known performers, ranging from longstanding stars such as Olivia Newton John and Steely Dan to the Ten Tenors, Vance Joy, Boyz II Men and Dancing with the Stars: Live! Late-night shows might include silk aerialists or fire dancers.

When you don't want a concert, try more intimate clubs featuring solo artists. Go to LEX Nightclub for a DJed dance party or EDGE Nightclub for dancing with laser effects.

Reno has 24-hour nightlife, meaning later shows and no last call for drinks, dancing or legal gambling. The biggest casino is Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, but you can wander between 20 casinos in town for tables, slots, video poker and sportsbooks.

There's gambling and shows on the Nevada side of South Lake Tahoe too. Headliners such as Keith Urban, Peter Frampton, Phish and Dave Matthews perform at Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena summer concerts.

There's so much to do in Lake Tahoe in can be kind of overwhelming so here's a snapshot for you: a day of skiing at Heavenly with happy hour at Tamarack and a sunset dinner at Riva Grill on the Lake. Then literally walk across the border from California to Nevada for a show at the outdoor arena. Dance at XHale, hit a hookah bar, play some tables at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and finish with a few slot machines and breakfast before you go outside to watch the sunrise over the lake.

If you're on a tight budget, experience the casino glitz of Lake Tahoe's nightlife affordably. Purchase a few tokens to play slot machines, find an all-you-can-eat buffet and enjoy some people-watching.

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North Lake Tahoe nightlife

You may come to the North Lake Tahoe area for days of fantastic skiing, hiking or watersports under sunny skies, but you'll find plenty of great dining and nightlife activities after the sun goes down as well.

Image: Northstar California Resort

North Lake Tahoe is an amazing vacation spot, with glorious forested mountains and a serene sapphire lake. Did you know that this is not a single town, but actually a fairly compact area with 12 separate ski resorts? That means plenty to choose from for winter or summer activities and lots of different nightlife options.

Most mountain resorts have bars and restaurants for après-ski or anytime evening fun. Some resorts offer warm-weather activities centered on hiking and mountain biking and maintain year-round nighttime events, especially for casual summer evenings.

Since hosting the Olympics in 1960, Squaw Valley Ski Resort and the surrounding region has grown and grown, with winter and summer sports and year-round amenities. Warm up with a drink at a fire pit in Squaw Village or compare your day's winter ski or summer golf or hiking highlights at one of the bars or the fine-dining PlumpJack Cafe.

Northstar California Resort offers the mix of family focus and mountain luxury. Start a winter evening with s'mores, ice-skating, live music and cocktails around a fire pit or an early movie in Northstar Village. Enjoy farm-to-fork fare and exclusive wines at Tavern 6330' or head up the mountain to a Ritz-Carlton fine dining experience.

Great nightspots aren't limited to the resorts. Tahoe City has a number of dining options. You will find Wolfdale's Cuisine Unique, Christy Hill and Jake's on the Lake Resort for up-scale dining, as well as several sports bars and fun pubs. Head north and inland to historic Truckee, judged by some as the coolest ski town in North America. Walk through Old Truckee's quaint downtown for evening shopping or rubbing shoulders with elegant visitors or friendly locals on a pub crawl.

In the sister cities of Kings Beach and Crystal Bay you'll restaurants, bars and often live music. The Cal-Neva border cuts between the cities. Once you cross into Nevada where gambling is legal, you'll find several choices for casinos, with gaming and entertainment. For a resort that has it all, head to Hyatt Regency Resort, Spa and Casino in Incline Village. This one-stop-shop boasts a casino, beachfront activities, spa facilities and dining options that will keep you busy for hours.

If you just can't get enough skiing during the day, don't fret. Boreal Mountain and sometimes Squaw Valley Ski Resort offer lighted night skiing. The crowds are gone, the lights are bright and the experience is both eerie and exhilarating. Take a few runs and warm up at the base with food and drink.

North Lake Tahoe region is so sporty and laid-back that most nightspots welcome guests in casual attire; just ditch the ski boots. You might need dinner reservations for restaurants during peak vacation times, so call ahead. If you're traveling with family, look into All About Kids child-care providers for stress-free evenings out on the town, knowing your children are in good hands. Remember to bring swimsuits, as many accommodations have heated pools and hot tubs. Transfer a bottle of wine to a non-glass container and enjoy a relaxing evening in a spa under the stars while sipping your favorite vintage.

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