About The Snake
Where History Meets Hospitality in Keystone, Colorado
For over 70 years, Snake River Saloon & Steakhouse has been the beating heart of Keystone, Colorado—a legendary establishment where locals and visitors gather for exceptional food, live music, and unforgettable mountain hospitality.
Our Storied Beginning: The Loveland Pass Bar Era (1954-1975)
Our story begins in 1954, when Duke and Lucile Smith established the Loveland Pass Bar, Lounge, and Restaurant on this very site. Duke, betting on the odds that a satisfied patron will always return, employed the legendary culinary skills of Christopher the Greek to create food worth traveling for.
Word of the delectable cuisine spread quickly. Railroad workers, pipeline crews from the Roberts/Eisenhower Tunnel projects, and old miners from across the U.S.A. crowded into the bar and restaurant. The boisterous atmosphere caught the attention of Irving and Betty Phelps from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who were so overwhelmed by the vibrant Loveland nightlife that they bought the establishment for themselves.
Irv Phelps became renowned for his love of mountain madness and outrageous parties. Until his untimely death in 1974, the "L.P. Bar" earned its reputation as one of the "highest" saloons in the continental United States—both in altitude and spirit.
The Snake River Era: Home Cooking & Community (1975-Present)
In 1975, Texas native Mickey Smith charted a new course for the restaurant, introducing home-cooked food and specialties like our world-famous grasshopper pie. The establishment was renamed Snake River Saloon & Steakhouse, tying it even more closely to the local Keystone community.
Jim Shields and Bob Starekow took charge in 1976, and both longtime friends were recently inducted into the prestigious Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. Jim and Jane Shields stewarded the Snake for an impressive 44 years with unwavering support from their family, establishing it as the heart of Keystone—a place where locals and visitors alike flock for outstanding food, live music, and genuine mountain hospitality.
Today: Continuing the Tradition
The tradition of excellent food, lively music, and community spirit continues today under the ownership of longtime locals Jeremiah Diaz and Jennifer Buchanan, along with their dedicated staff. They remain committed to what has always made the Snake special: exceptional dining, warm hospitality, and the kind of authentic mountain experience that creates lasting memories.
Our Philosophy
We want to make one thing perfectly clear: we are dedicated to the proposition that all restaurants are not created equal. We want Snake River Saloon to be superlative—an experience memories are made of. Your hosts, Jeremiah Diaz, Jennifer Buchanan, and Randy "the Dog" Schmitt welcome you to become part of our ongoing story.
Whether you're a Keystone local or visiting Summit County for the first time, we invite you to experience the legendary hospitality that has made Snake River Saloon a Colorado institution for seven decades.