By Mike McKenna

They don’t call this place Sun Valley for nothing. Our little slice of “IdaHome” averages over 300 days of sunshine a year. 

We do our best to make the most out of all this sunshine by playing and partying hard, which is why we have many sweet patios and decks to enjoy our après adventures. Here’s a rundown of some of our favorites.

Ketchum

The terrace at The Grill at Knob Hill Inn is a gardener’s delight, ideal for some higher-level dining. Meanwhile, the patio at Grumpy’s offers views of Baldy, delightfully greasy burgers, and their legendary schooners of beer. 

Sawtooth Brewery and Lefty’s both offer small decks and big beers. Perry’s patio is the perfect place for lunch and some of their world-renowned chocolate chip cookies. 

The rooftop decks at the Sawtooth Club and Sun Valley Wine Company offer elevated and exceptionally tasty experiences. Despo’s serves outstanding Mexican food at their newly remodeled deck in the heart of town, while the spacious back patio of the Limelight Hotel is tough to top for views, tasty treats and live music during the high seasons.

The most famous deck in Ketchum can be found atop the Warfield Distillery & Brewery. The tasty beers and spirits made on the lower level match the views from the rooftop deck.

Sun Valley

Outdoor dining and world-class fare can be found everywhere you go around Sun Valley. The Lodge offers patios at both Gretchen’s and the Duchin Lounge. The Inn has patio seating at the Ram. The Sun Valley Club’s multi-tiered deck offers impressive views of the Trail Creek Golf Course with Baldy and Dollar mountains in the backdrop.

Hailey

Hailey is a very bike-friendly community and Main Street is lined with places to park your bike and enjoy some outdoor dining. Look no further than the popular patio at the Power House Pub & Bike Shop. The bicycle bar has an impressive European-heavy beer selection and a small but tasty menu. 

The patio at Wiseguy Pizza Pie is the perfect place to grab a cold one and a slice. Sun Valley Brewery serves up handcrafted ales, big meals, and a nice view of Della Mountain as well as regular live music. 

Sawtooth Brewery has a small deck but often opens up the brewhouse doors so live bands have a place to play, leaving plenty of room for dancing. The Wicked Spud is the place to be most Wednesdays when they host live music in support of local nonprofits.

The Divine Wine Bar and Cowboy Cocina both offer tasty meals in a more cozy, off-the-beaten-path, outdoor dining scene. DaVinci’s on Bullion Street and Dang’s Thai Cuisine & Sushi Bar on Main each have a small deck, but serve up big flavors, perfect for fans of authentic Italian or Asian meals, respectively.

CK’s Real Food has long served not only some of the best food in Idaho, but its patio is one of the prettiest.

Bellevue

The back deck at Mahoney’s is the place to be in Bellevue for burgers, brews and views of the river. They also have live music on Thursday nights during the summer. The small decks at both Fuego and Silver Dollar Saloon also rock with live music on many nights.

Coffee Spots

There are also lots of nice places to start your day with some outdoor breakfast refreshments. The large patio at Black Owl Coffee in Hailey is a locals’ favorite and The Coffee House also has a small deck. Hailey Coffee Company and Java both offer outdoor seating at their locations in Hailey and Ketchum and the summer flowerbeds beside the Konditorei’s patio in the Sun Valley Village are some of the nicest around. Perry’s and Maude’s in west Ketchum each have outdoor seating.