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    The Gambit Bar

    4.4 (14 reviews)
    Closed 3:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    The Gambit Bar Photos

    THE GAMBIT BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Classy
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - The Gambit Bar

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    Melted cheese? Not here. Come on.

    First, the ambiance and guitarist were great. This place has so much potential. We came here based on other reviews and were there from 3:30 to 5:00 pm on a Thursday. The place was fairly empty. Our server was fairly rude on first interaction when we asked about a menu item that they apparently no longer carried. She said all they have is what's on the menu in a terse sort of way. Ok, well then. We ordered an espresso martini and club soda. The martini was good. We ordered the French onion soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. The grilled cheese was good. The French onion soup was sour and had no seasoning whatsoever. We had to go find it sever to get some salt but it didn't help. Inedible. We sent it back and the serve said yes, it's not my favorite. We ordered another grilled cheese. The cheese wasn't melted, I included a photo. How can you screw up soup and grilled cheese at a restaurant in Vail?! Server was terrible, food was poor. Don't recommend. It's sad because we drove to Vail from Keystone because it was my birthday. Do not recommend!

    Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned and Mulled Wine
    Liz J.

    We just went for drinks after walking around Vail Village. Fun atmosphere with live music. They were busy so it took a little bit to get served, but the drinks were great. I'd definitely go back.

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    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

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    Kate G.

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    10 months ago

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    Kate G.

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    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
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    2 years ago

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    Kate G.

    Helpful 0
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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Kate G.

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    9 months ago

    Austin and John are the best! Best drinks, laughs for hours with them. Service unmatched, don't miss this gem.

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    Kate G.

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    9 months ago

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    Kate G.

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    2 years ago

    Awesome service and really interesting cocktails. This place has a great vibe and I wouldn't hesitate to go back.

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    Kate G.

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    3 years ago

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    Kate G.

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    2 years ago

    They must be under new management. Very poor service and communication. No professionalism or people skills among the new hires.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    Kate G.

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    Ask the Community - The Gambit Bar

    Review Highlights - The Gambit Bar

    Austin, Spencer, and Shelby collectively created one of the best vail experiences I've had in my 20 years of living here.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Vintage - Huckleberry French Toast

    Vintage

    4.2(468 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    Great food and great service - really great atmosphere, and was very clean - will definitely be…read moreback next time we're in Vail!

    This appeared to be a beautiful French restaurant in Vail, so I made a point to make this the first…read morestop in Vail. In fact, we were the first guests to arrive! As anticipated, the place was gorgeous...with a slightly formal air. Given that it was in the Vail Village (near the ski slope), my husband was able to enter the place in his rugged ski suit. Despite the ambiance, it was a bit dead. I was disappointed with the lack of French music overhead...though maybe it was on so low, I didn't hear it? There were plenty of breakfast-brunch options, but on the menu, some items were noted as taking 20 minutes (which we didn't have time for!), so I was a tad bummed about that. In any case, my husband chose this Huckleberry Bacon French Toast, and I ordered the Maryland Crab Benedict. For drinks, we both just ordered plain coffee. As expected, the foods were good. I was more impressed with my husband's choice, this super-fancy french toast. Not only did it look amazing, it tasted spectacular! Mine was good, but disappointing at the same time. I really liked the Crab Benedict, but I only half-liked the side salad (basically just Arugula with a few Walnuts and Figs). The total bill for these items ran over 100 bucks... which, was to be expected in Vail. However, for such a pricey breakfast, I felt that I should have absolutely loved it...but it felt short of that. Overall, I just expected a bit more from this breakfast experience. Again, the decor was gorgeous, but the ambiance wasn't fully there (because of the lack of music?). Service felt a bit short-skimpy as well. Foods were good, but mine especially (Crab Benedict) felt a bit lacking. Let's just say that I've had Crab Benedicts as just as good for half the price...and with better sides. Maybe lunch or dinner experience is better here? In any case, am glad we checked out the place...but I doubt I'll choose it for breakfast again.

    Photos
    Vintage - Dining nook

    Dining nook

    Vintage - Bacon wrapped figs

    Bacon wrapped figs

    Vintage - Exterior photo of the Vintage

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    Exterior photo of the Vintage

    Root & Flower - Ambient bar

    Root & Flower

    4.6(208 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    I was in the mood for some wine tasting and since I couldn't get to a vineyard. I decide to my own…read morewine tasting. Jeremy was very nice. He was not only our bartender but was also one of the owner along with Samantha who I got to meet for the first time. Everyone was so friendly and was definitely a win connoisseur. I love their happy hour from Vail. Everything was price reasonable. I love that you could get any wine for 3 ounce for half the price. That allowed me to try almost every wine on the list. Yes. I was very happy when I left It's definitely a hidden gem. Will try to come back!

    Visiting Vail for a quick getaway a few weekends ago made me realize (again) that this mountain…read moretown renowned for exhilarating outdoor activities is a foodie destination with so many options to choose from Michelin-recognized restaurants to something more casual. And to stumble upon this chic and inconspicuous cocktail bar in the busy downtown was something I wasn't expecting and became a treat after a nice stroll through the town after dinner in my hotel room. From the moment I stepped inside, I knew I was at the place where my heart was calling for. There were two gents at the bar and one of them warmly greeted me and said I could sit anywhere I would like. I hence picked one of the bar seats. Except one table that was occupied by a couple I was the only one. I appeared to have picked the right time; I had the whole bar to myself (eventually though, several different groups of people streamed in; only a few of them sat at the bar close to me. The bar was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate a little over 10 people.) Jeremy, who greeted me upon arrival, was a super host. As soon as I explained that wine is my usual got-to, he said he could mix and match reds and whites to create a "flight" based on what I had told him as to my likings. His extensive explanations as to what sorts of reds and whites the bar offers/serves was (of course) all in his memory. His eloquent speech with no filler words truly impressed me; he sure is a wine connoisseur. What he picked for me were... -2024 Pepiere "Les Gras Moutons" (Muscadet) -Kobal "Bajta", Hazole Belo (aka Orange Wine) -Sandlands "Red Table Wine (Lodi Red Blend) With his wealth of knowledge, after giving him only a hint of what I liked, what Jeremy selected for me to sample/sip was a superb choice. All of them were world-class excellence with elegance and beauty. I carefully and slowly sipped each one little by little to truly immerse myself in the art of wine. Yes, wine is a piece of art for sure. I think I said it correctly at the beginning of this review. This is a cocktail bar with variety of spirits which Jeremy could easily concoct just about anything from gin-based one to vodka-based one to tequila-based ones to whiskey-based one to name several. For those who don't drink, their zero-proof section also has something interesting to browse and choose. Not to mention, rotating pilsner or IPA on tap to name a few from the beer section as well. If you need a little bite to eat, their (changing) food menu has a good number of New American-style plates. The bar originally opened in a different building back in 2015 (I believe). They moved to the current location in 2019. They also offer various different classes so you can expand/extend your knowledge. So for your next foodie vacation in Vail, make sure to include Root & Flower in your list.

    Photos
    Root & Flower - Water bottle with a glass

    Water bottle with a glass

    Root & Flower - Milk Chocolate Pot de Creme was incredible

    Milk Chocolate Pot de Creme was incredible

    Root & Flower - Turkish Delight - Zero Proof

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    Turkish Delight - Zero Proof

    Archetype Distillery

    Archetype Distillery

    4.8(63 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    ABSOLUTELY AMAZING PRODUCT & SERVICE!!!!…read more Hats off to James & Zack for making the best martini I've ever had in my life and teaching me about Archetype's unique distilling process Dangerously good...the infused vodka is sooo smooth that you can just drink it straight plush no hangover whatsoever with the grape base Highly recommend if you are coming to Vail! Start your night here with a cocktail!

    Spring skiing this year in Vail was so warm that our ski time was limited to just the morning so…read moreaprès ski started much earlier than usual. I decided to make a long past due visit to Archetype to check out their distilled spirits. In addition to their vodka and gin, they make a long list of small batch distilled spirits of various flavors. When you walk in there are a few high top tables and a long bar. My recommendation is to sit at the bar and chat with the bartenders. They are knowledgeable and will craft a cocktail based on what your favorite flavor profile is. As my friend C says, "if it's muddled N will drink it!" She's not wrong. She speaks the truth. I told the bartender that a cocktail with either the blackberry or strawberry spirits would be a great start. He mixed strawberry with their mint spirit, added soda, and ice in a tall glass. It was really refreshing. Because they have so many different flavored spirits they can craft almost anything. If you like a dirty martini, they have blue cheese and olive flavored spirits. I tasted the blue cheese spirit separately and it was hmmm...interesting by itself but mixed with the olive spirit and "ta-da!" - you've got your dirty martini. Their vodka and wine are made from wine grapes. I didn't get a chance to try either the vodka or gin this time but will definitely be back on my next ski trip to Vail. The distillery is located just a few doors down from Mountain Standard near the bridge over Gore Creek.

    Photos
    Archetype Distillery
    Archetype Distillery
    Archetype Distillery

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    The Gambit Bar - lounges - Updated September 2026

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