Hot Summer Nights free concert series returns to Vail this week

Tuesdays during the summer in Vail mean one thing: Hot Summer Nights. The free concert series is a summertime tradition that has been going on since the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater was built in 1987 and the whole region comes out for it.

The entertainment covers such a wide range of genres that each week it appeals to different audiences, but for some attendees, it doesn’t matter who’s on stage. It’s just about getting out to a beautiful venue, hearing live music and seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

The concert series is presented by Bulleit and this week’s band is Bertha: Grateful Drag, which brings together the music of the Grateful Dead with the artistry of drag performance. Please note that the concert series takes a break for the Vail Dance Festival and a few Bravo! Vail Music Festival performances and big-name acts coming to The Amp Summer Concert Series. Here’s a look at the rest of the Hot Summer Nights Schedule:

• June 24 – Maggie Rose
• July 8 – Those Crazy Nights – The Ultimate Journey Experience
• July 15 – ALO
• Aug. 19 – The Man in Black – A Tribute to Johnny Cash
• Sept. 9 – Andy Frasco & The U.N.
• Sept. 16 – Vail Valley Foundations’ Community Concert – Clay Street Unit

The concerts start at 6:30 p.m. and doors open at 5:30 p.m. The Hot Summer Nights concerts are all free and seating is general admission. The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, also known as the Amp, fits around 2,800 people.

Get there early if you are trying to get pavilion seats, which are nice in case of inclement weather. These shows happen rain or shine, so dress accordingly and pack things like an umbrella or rain jacket and an extra layer because the temperatures can drop after a rainstorm and once the sun goes down.

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Plenty to drink and eat

Picnics are allowed and encouraged, and you will see some amazing spreads on blankets in the lawn section. If you don’t have time to bring your food, Gore Creek Concessions has you covered. From big soft pretzels and popcorn to pitas, pulled pork sandwiches and burgers, the team at Big Delicious Catering has something on the menu to satisfy your cravings.

Please note that the concession transactions are 100% cashless. You are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages into the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, but there are a few bars in the venue where you can grab a drink. From several domestic and imported beers to white and red wine, bubbles and call drinks, the bars at The Amp will wet your whistle. There is a bag check policy, so don’t try to sneak your own alcoholic drinks in. Non-alcoholic drinks are for sale at the venue, and you can bring your own if they are sealed when you enter.

What you can bring

A few other things you can bring are blankets and low-profile chairs (the chair legs should not exceed five inches in height). No dogs are allowed at the venue. Bikes, skateboards, scooters and personal motorized vehicles are not allowed as well. There is a bike valet outside the gates, and biking to and from the venue is encouraged.

How to get there

Most people will park at the Vail Village or Lionshead Village parking structures. The town of Vail has implemented its new paid parking program for the summer, but the garages are free after 3 p.m. and then you can take the free in-town shuttle to the venue or walk. If you want to park closer to The Amp, its it $20. There is a special deal if you carpool.

Guests utilizing the Ford Park lot or the Vail Athletic Fields/Soccer lot during paid parking events who arrive with four or more people in their vehicle will have their parking validated at the entrance, so call your friends and arrange your ride together.

The Hot Summer Nights concert series and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater were recently recognized in the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Hot Summer Nights was ranked fifth in the Outdoor Concert Series category and The Amp was ranked fourth in the Best Amphitheater category.

Tuesday nights are so big in Vail that there are also events outside of The Amp. Plenty of bars host live music and specials before and after the Hot Summer Nights concerts. Avanti Food & Beverage is hosting the official pre- and post-parties for Hot Summer Nights all summer long. Avanti is the brand-new modern food hall that opened in December and is housed in the former Larkspur restaurant spot in the Golden Peak base area lodge. The Golden Peak location has two bars, five food concepts and one big patio to host you and all your friends. Avanti Vail’s five restaurant concepts include:

• Backyard Burgers
• Boychik
• Detoor
• Glo
• Powder Crust Pizza

Avanti is going to keep things fresh each week during the pre- and post-parties with rotating drink specials and the restaurants have revealed their new summer menus. Avanti offers free parking so you can easily stop in and drink and dine before and after the concerts at the amphitheater, and they have a golf cart shuttle that can bring you right to the venue. Check out the happenings and menus at AvantiFandB.com.

Manor Vail is hosting deals at The Fitz and Ridge + River. Both venues have seating in a beautiful outdoor setting, drink specials and live music. Come to happy hour from 4-5 p.m., where Ridge + River is offering $2 off any draft beer and well drinks and $10 glasses of house wine and a $13 cocktail of the day. Snacks include charcuterie and cheese, beet carpaccio, bacon wrapped dates and other sharables. The Fitz has happy hour from 3-5 p.m. and has the same drink deals as Ridge + River but some of their eats include pretzel bites, truffle fries, buffalo wings and cheese curds. Come back to The Fitz for live music with Rob Eaton, Jr. playing a late-night set this Tuesday from 9-11 p.m. Discounted parking is available on site. Find out more at ManorVail.com.

Sarah’s Lounge inside the Christiania Hotel in Vail Village is hosting something a bit unexpected: a Bao Bun party at the pool. Head to the top of Bridge Street and come on over for delicious and hot steamed bao buns from Bao You Like It every Tuesday. The tasting menu offers four flavors, such as traditional pork, char siu (barbecued pork), beef and shiitake mushrooms and a vegetarian item with sweet potato noodles and tofu.

Rob Eaton, Jr. will also be playing tunes from 4-7, so you can pregame at Sarah’s Lounge before going to The Amp and enjoy deals on drinks like $5 Modelo cans and $10 for a shot and a beer. More information can be found at Sarah’s Lounge Instagram page.

If you want to keep the music going, stop by Shakedown Bar for live shows that will groove into the wee hours. Shakedown hosts a variety of local artists and traveling acts from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. This week, Kory Montgomery takes the stage and other acts include Lucas Parker and Jessica Paige, Town Calvary and Shakedown owner-musician Scott Rednor and a rotating list of friends joining him. See the full schedule at ShakedownBarVail.com.  

If you are in the mood to play some video games after the Hot Summer Nights concert, head to Chasing Rabbits in Solaris. Pac-Man, Skee-ball and other arcade games will be offered for free play for those 21 and older every Tuesday night from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Late night bites will be available such as chicken wing drumettes, papas fritas, chilaquiles and quesadillas. Pair one of those with a handcrafted cocktail like the tiki basil smash or the very summery strawberry kiss drink. Learn more and secure your spot by getting a ticket at ChasingRabbitsVail.com.

You can also stop into Bridge Street staples like Vendetta’s and Bridge Street Bar for fun before and after the concert at The Amp. The Red Lion is offering specials all day on Tuesdays with chicken salad wraps and Italian chicken wraps for $16.99 and $1 off large Coors Light drafts. Please note that Pepi’s Bar is closed this Tuesday but will offer live music on Tuesdays from 4-9 p.m. the rest of the summer.

For information on the Bulleit Hot Summer Nights concert series, the lineup of performers, FAQs and more, go to GRFAVail.com.