Tahoe is a sprawling place that encompasses ten聽resorts and chunks of two states, but the scene is centralized within South Lake Tahoe, where dive bars feed casinos that lead to nightclubs that empty back out into the casinos. Let鈥檚 just say that first chair is usually pretty lonely around here.
With Your Boots Still On:聽Unbuckle, Heavenly
At 3:30聽p.m., goes from a place with expensive burgers to a place where all hell breaks loose. DJ聽Snowcat聽spins while the scantily clad Heavenly Angels roam the crowd giving away swag聽and skiers try to make the most of the happy hour discounts. Did we mention this is mid-mountain?
Cheap Eats:聽Freshies
A Hawaiian-themed restaurant serving fish tacos at the base of the Sierra聽Nevadas? Only if it鈥檚 as good as聽, which has become the lunch and dinner hot spot for locals who don鈥檛 want break the bank. Go for a couple of聽Kalua聽pork tacos ($4 each).
Best Restaurant:聽贰惫补苍鈥檚 American Gourmet Cafe
Tucked in an unassuming cabin in the pines in South Lake Tahoe, has a bold menu聽with an emphasis on complex international cuisine. How about聽chile聽鈥渃heesecake鈥 topped with Maine lobster salad, white corn fricassee, and a duet of avocado and chipotle aioli? That鈥檚 just the first thing on the menu. Make reservations yesterday, since it seats just 35 people.
Up All Night: Casino Royale
You can gamble away tomorrow鈥檚 lift money all night at any of Tahoe鈥檚 casinos, but if you want the liveliest party, you need to look beyond the tables聽and be mobile throughout the weekend. On Friday鈥檚, the party is at聽鈥檚 Opal (think go-go dancers and body paint). Saturday night, head to Peek at聽聽for more yet more go-go dancers. Not your scene?聽聽pours from 40 beers on tap until 2 a.m. 聽聽