2012 Best of the Boat Results
First Place: Best Outdoor Dining, Best Cocktails
Second Place: Best View, Best Bartender, Best Music Venue, Best Happy Hour off the Mountain
Third Place: Best Host/Hostess

Sweetwater Grill owner Kim Haggarty says her restaurant’s outdoor dining emphasis along the Yampa River was all part of the plan. And she adds it was intended not only to be a great place to dine, but also a great place for families.

In addition to the second-story tables that overlook the Yampa and the fire pit and outdoor bar on the first level, a wide-open lawn features a stage for summer concerts as well as a bouncy house, playground and playhouse for children. It all came together for Haggarty last summer.

“I thought, ‘Oh, my God, this was my vision,’” she says. “It’s exactly what I wanted.”

For views and outdoor ambiance, it’s also what customers wanted. Diners can watch everything from tubers, kayakers and anglers in the summer to jumpers flying off Howelsen Hill’s Nordic jumps in winter. “It just brings a good vibe to the Yampa River,” Haggarty says. “That’s what we were going for.”

First Place: Best New Restaurant
Second Place: Most Scenic Restaurant
Third Place: Best Cocktails, Best Chef (Kris Cannon)

Modern, casual elegance is what Sweetwater Grill at 811 Yampa Ave. hangs its hat on, and that’s what you get every time you saunter in for suds, ceviche and everything in between.

From a year-round, stainless-steel, outdoor fireplace filled with crystals to a bar that would make Norm from “Cheers” feel at home, expect good times, good food, good tunes and possibly a hangover.

“The whole concept is to have people come for dinner between 6 and 8 p.m., and then walk by the lounge and stay for music afterward,” says owner Kim Haggarty. “It’s more than just dining; it’s the whole Sweetwater experience.”

As well as bands, that experience includes such family-friendly activities as igloo- and snowman-building contests and a 45-person, multimedia upstairs meeting room for rehearsal dinners, private parties and company conventions.

The formula works. As well as appeasing locals and visitors, Sweetwater also has become fundraiser central, hosting benefits for such groups as The Lowell Whiteman School, Friends of the Yampa and a rowdy one for the Free Summer Concert Series. “We’re all about bringing a new vibe to the Yampa River,” Haggarty says.

We are now taking on-line reservations for our beautiful dining room by the river! CLICK HERE to make a reservation online or call us at (970) 879-9500. You can make a reservation until 3:00 p.m. on the day of your visit. We will then contact you by phone to confirm your reservation. We look forward to serving you!

Explore Steamboat maintains a full list of news and feature stories about Sweetwater Grill. CLICK HERE NOW for a list of the most recent news articles about Sweetwater Grill.

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Sweetwater Grill has several great options for your next party. We have a private room overlooking the beautiful Yampa River and historic Howelson Ski Jumping Hill which can accommodate a party for up to 45 people. Depending on the weather and time of year, this also includes our upper deck. For parties larger than 45 people we are willing to close the entire restaurant to the public. The following pages give you some food and drink ideas … THESE ARE ONLY A STARTING POINT. We customize each party with our chef to meet your specific needs and any special requests. Our restaurant is truly beautiful and we believe that nothing speaks better than pictures. We encourage you to visit our photo gallery for views of the dining rooms, comfortable lounge, decks and scenery. Prices listed here are all inclusive except tax and gratuity. There are no hidden site fees or room rental fees. We will provide table cloths and linen napkins as part of the cost of the event, if requested. Any special table settings, centerpieces or other decorations will be provided by you. Additional amenities include TVs throughout the lounge and in the Howelson View Room which can accommodate computer input for slide shows or presentations and a small stage in the lounge complete with sound system and speakers for DJ or band. Please refer to the chart at the end of this document for minimum pricing requirements depending on the size of the party and time of year. Thank you for considering Sweetwater Grill for your event. Make it easy on yourself and let us do the work.

THE APPETIZER ONLY PARTY If the appetizers are going to be the focus of the party then we charge $15 per person which includes four appetizers: two from group 1, one from group 2 and one from group 3. Additional appetizers are $5 per person each. Group 1 appetizers • Hummus, Veggie & Pita Platter • Tapenade and warmed French baguette plate • Classic Cheese Tray • Cheddar, Swiss, and Pepper-Jack Cheeses • Served with fruit and French bread Group 2 appetizers • Petite Chicken Drummies (2 per person) • Served with Teriyaki, Buffalo, and BBQ sauces • Steak Quesadillas (2 – 6” wedges per person) • Cheddar Cheese with Black Beans • Dill & Salmon Cucumber Cups (2 per person) • Salmon Cakes (2 per person) • Citrus Dijon or Wasabi • Chicken, Steak, and Veggie Skewers (1½ per person) • Served with Teriyaki, Buffalo, and BBQ sauces • Caprese Crostini (2 per person) Group 3 appetizers • Gourmet Cheese Tray • Imported Cheeses served with Fresh Fruit, and Assorted Crackers • Plank Salmon platter: Smoked Salmon • Burger Sliders (1½ per person) • Cheddar Cheese and Haystack Onions • Meatball Slider (1½ per person) Mozzarella and Marinara Sauce

APPETIZERS with a full meal These prices are for appetizers in addition to full meals

$2.00 per person Hummus, Veggie & Pita Platter Tapenade and warmed French baguette plate Classic Cheese Tray: Cheddar, Swiss, and Pepper-Jack Cheeses Served with fruit and French breads

$3.00 per person Petite Chicken Drummies (2 per person) Served with Teriyaki, Buffalo, and BBQ sauces Steak Quesadillas (2 – 6” wedges per person) Cheddar Cheese with Black Beans Dill & Salmon Cucumber Cups (2 per person) Salmon Cakes (2 per person) Citrus Dijon or Wasabi Chicken, Steak, and Veggie Skewers (1½ per person) Served with Teriyaki, Buffalo, and BBQ sauces Caprese Crostini

$4.00 per person Gourmet Cheese Tray Imported Cheeses served with Fresh Fruit, and Assorted Crackers Plank Salmon Plate: Smoked Salmon Burger Sliders (1½ per person) Cheddar Cheese and Haystack Onions Meatball Slider (1½ per person) Mozzarella and Marinara Sauce

MAIN COURSE Individually plated and served meals $39 Family Style or Buffet $32 per person Start with a salad for your entire party then choose two entrees, one from each group and two side dishes. All entrees include fresh seasonal vegetables and all non-alcoholic beverages including coffee and tea after dinner. SALADS Dinner Salad with choice of dressing or Sweetwater Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette or Caesar Salad

ENTRÉE’S (Group 1) Pork loin Served with a Mustard Crusted or Raspberry Chipotle Sauce or Salmon Served with a Wasabi, Honey Dijon Demi Glaze, or Fresh Dill Sauce or Flat Iron Steak Served with a Dry sweet Cajun rub or Gorgonzola Cream Sauce

ENTRÉE’S (Group 2) Chicken Breast Served with a Champagne Cream Sauce or Honey Dijon Demi Glaze or Vegetable stir fry or Fresh Locally made Pasta Marinara Sauce or Alfredo Sauce (Meatballs Optional)

SIDES Smashed New Potatoes Mashed Sweet Potatoes Jazmine Rice Vegetable Rice Pilaf Homemade Mac N’ Cheese

DESSERTS Available upon request, not included in the meal price

BEVERAGE OPTIONS Sometimes this is the hardest thing to decide so here are some ideas

OPEN BAR pay full price with a 10% discount

BEER/WINE/WELL Any beer (draft or bottle) and wine-by-the-glass or basic drinks (rum and coke, vodka and soda, etc.) with guests paying cash for any other alcoholic beverages

COMBO Open bar during a cocktail hour (with appetizers) Then specific wine with dinner LIMITED $AMOUNT Tell us how much you want to spend and limit selections if you want

SPECIFIC NUMBER OF DRINKS PER PERSON This is hard without some sort of “ticket”

CASH BAR Estimate 2 – 3 drinks per person at an average of $5 per drink for budgeting. We will work with you to choose the right package for your group

MINIMUM CHARGES Please call for the minimum amounts you must spend on food and drinks for us to host your party. The minimums for the time of year, day of the week and number of people (what part of the restaurant) are based on sales we would normally generate. Amounts do not include tax and gratuity. We have several distinct areas in the restaurant. Our main dining room seats 90 people comfortably. The upstairs Howelson View Room seats 45 people comfortably. The lounge area seats approximately 40 people between the bar, higher tables, lounge tables and couch seating. There are two deck areas. The upper deck seats up to 45 people and the lower deck seats up to 60 people. Please remember, the decks are only available during the warmer times of year and are weather dependent. We do not recommend you counting on these areas for seating even when they are available.