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Top 4 Apres Ski Bars In Chamonix

The Gustavia hotel in Chamonix

A ski vacation just wouldn’t be the same without a little apres ski. Of course it’s not compulsory, you may prefer to stay in your chalet after a day on the mountain but as Chamonix is almost party central in the Alps, it’s worth a wander around the many bars to catch some of the atmosphere. I don’t need much persuasion, to be honest, here are four of my favourite haunts.

 

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Les Caves

Right in the centre of the Chamonix on the Rue des Moulin, Les Caves is a great wine and cocktail bar, perfect for partying with friends or relaxing with a pre-dinner drink. You walk into Les Caves and all the seats have fur rugs on them, there is a fire burning and it's really cosy after the cold outside. Regular DJs and live bands play most nights of the week, chilled jazz/blues early in the evenings and more upbeat tunes later on. 

Les Caves is one of the few venues in Chamonix where you won't look out of place wearing high heels and your best frock - making it a popular choice for girls' nights out! Les Caves is more of a trendy bar/club compared to most bars in the village.  The service is friendly and efficient, the wine list offers you plenty of choice and the bar staff mix killer cocktails. If you fancy a bite to eat you can head upstairs to one of the two excellent restaurants housed within the same building.

Owners, Wim Robberse and Laurence Claret-Tournier, have carefully renovated the building that once housed Cybar, Dick's Tea Bar and The Queen Vic. Damaged by fire some years ago, this building has been lovingly refurbished to house the three distinct and contemporary venues - Le Cap Horn, Le Cap Blanc and Les Caves.

Les Caves has many faces all of them a lot of fun. Come here on a quiet Tuesday night, you'll find a luxurious cocktail bar with table service, complimentary truffle popcorn and some jazz for mood music. Come here on a Saturday night and you have one of the liveliest nightspots in town - table service and free flowing shots. A favourite with ex-pats and locals this is a must visit for any visit to Chamonix. 

Chambre Neuf

This is the best place to go for lively apres ski in Chamonix. From around 5pm to 8pm everyday there is a live band playing great covers which gets the crowd jumping around and people dancing on tables. The bar gets very crowded but this makes for a great atmosphere. Situated at the top end of town near the train station, Chambre Neuf is one of the favourite meeting places for locals and visitors alike. You'll find tourists, alpinists, “extreme skiers” and plenty of Scandinavians meeting to talk about their days on the mountain. A little rough and ready, but hey! it’s apres ski! 

During the day take morning coffee, read the paper and listen in on the goings-on and gossip of local life at the bar. Should you be around at lunchtime you'll find Chambre Neuf offers classic international cooking. Try the special of the day, Swedish inspired with a twist of French or Asian or their famous homemade burgers. The terrace is always tempting for a long relaxing lunch or a lazy Sunday afternoon. The bar is open all day for coffee, beer or maybe something stronger! 20:00 - 22:00 is Happy Hour with a wide selection of cocktails on promotion or 2 for 1 offers. In a nutshell; packed full of people, great atmosphere, live music, great fun, not much more to say.

Moo

You would think that this apres ski bar was named after the cows that wander around the Alpine meadows, clanging their cowbells, like a drunken percussionists, you’d be wrong. It was named after three Scandinavian friends, Morten, Oscar & Orjan. Between them they have worked hard and played harder around Chamonix  for perhaps longer than any of them would care to remember.

Moo, is everything you would expect a lively apres ski bar to be, buzzing, the drinks flowing, the music pumping. Located close the the train station on Avenue Michel Croz, Moo opened it’s door just in time for christmas in 2012 and has steadily gained a reputation for it’s buzzing atmosphere.

The philosophy behind the owners approach to running a successful bar is that will be a true locals hang-out, open all year round, offering quality food and drinks at reasonable prices. It goes without saying that the staff are friendly and welcoming, as they obviously enjoy working here. 

The entertainment at Moo is varied, with a roster of bands and DJ’s that changes often to keep things fresh. The Moo is next door to Chambre Neuf and Elevation and skipping from bar to bar is a pastime enjoyed by many seasonaires and locals and they usually get to know the best places in town and stick to them.

Elevation 1904

One of the hot spots in Chamonix. Located opposite the train station and next door to Moo and Chambre Neuf, Elevation 1904 has everything it takes for a perfect apres ski bar. Good food, sunny terrace for the summer, or a sunny day in winter, of which there are many, live music, DJ's, friendly atmosphere and lots of people and a buzzing vibe. 

Elevation 1904 offers French & British cuisine, including a full English breakfast, not strictly apres ski, but good to know if you hanker after this kind of thing. 

The last time I went it was full to bursting. The sidewalk was overflowing with people, everyone having a good time.  Lots of young people, seemed to be quite a few mountain guides, and tables of 20-30 somethings with a couple of families, a pretty mixed bag. Very friendly service with staff who are on the ball, despite the hectic pace of a crowded bar. A good place to go and if you don’t find it to your fancy, there are two bars next door. Apres ski is pretty simple really, most people who frequent the bars are going with a positive attitude which makes for a friendly and lively vibe. Throw in some music, some shots and what’s not to like?