Chamonix Food & Drink

Dining & Going Out in Chamonix

There�s no better way to celebrate a great day on the slopes than with a few well earned apr�s ski drinks amongst friends. Chamonix has no shortage of great spots on which to set your sights when the lifts shut for the day. Here are a few suggestions:

Alpine Food & Drink

Although not as renowned as the haute cuisine of Paris or the fine bistros of Lyon the Alps do have a number of tasty treats in store for those who like to sample some regional specialities. Meat and cheese feature heavily in Alpine cooking � so it�s just as well there are plenty of mountains where you can work off the extra pounds! ... see "Dining in the Alps" for more

last updated 27-Jun-2008

Apres Ski in Chamonix

Chambre 9
One of the places to apr�s ski in Chamonix is Chambre 9. The resident apr�s ski band, The Balboas, have been playing this bar for a number of years and know exactly what the apr�s crowd is looking for. The band plays a couple of sets between 5:00-7:00 pm, every night (except Saturday). Get in early as it�s standing room only (and barely that at times!).

Micro Brasserie de Chamonix (mbc)
If real ale is more your thing, then head along to the mbc to sample their highly regarded and naturally produced real ales and lagers made from the finest malts, hops, and yeasts available without preservatives or additives. Being slightly out of town the mbc relies on its great reputation for good beer and live entertainment; there are often great live bands playing during apres-ski and in the evenings.

The Vagabond
Depending on the weather, you can have drink in front of a roaring open log fire at the Vagabond, or on a south west facing terrace with a great view of the Mont Blanc massif, Le Br�vent et Les Aiguilles Rouges. The Vagabond caters for a lively, upbeat & friendly crowd and has a happy hour from 4:30 pm until 6:30 pm. Well priced and tasty bar food is served from 5:30 pm.

La Terrasse
La Terrasse is probably Chamonix's most central bar that hosts several popular live music evenings a week during winter, and there is an upstairs bar which serves as a lounge and cocktail bar. As it is in a sunny and convenient location La Terrasse is often busy during apres-ski. They offer happy hour prices from 4:00-6:00 pm everyday.

Monkey Bar
Monkey Bar, in Chamonix Sud, is a popular spot with both locals and tourists alike. Live music from 5:00 pm every day is courtesy of the Soul Rats who are guaranteed to turn heavy ski boots into dancing shoes, aided by the generous happy hour prices from 5:30- 7:00 pm!

South Bar
Pretty much next door to Monkey, is South Bar, favoured by the Scandinavian crowd and fans of these statuesque beauties. This is where the hardcore gather to swap stories and compare fatness of skis � the Swedes don�t mess around when it comes to time on the mountain. Every day the place is pretty much rammed from 4:00 pm through to 2:00 am, with live music at apr�s and DJ�s later on in the night. As the days get longer, the apr�s band often plays outside on the terrace so you can enjoy the tunes and the beer in the last rays of sunshine. One of the best eye candy venues in town!

last updated 25-Mar-2008

Bars in Chamonix

CENTRE OF TOWN

Chambre 9
Situated up at the top end of town near the train station Chambre 9 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 at altitude. The infamous happy hour is from 8:00-10:00 pm where you can buy a two cocktails or shots for the price of one!

La Terrasse
La Terrasse is probably Chamonix's most central bar, sitting on the edge of the river, with (as the name might suggest) a south-west face terrace overlooking the central square and the Mont Blanc. The main bar typically hosts several popular live music evenings a week � The Juggernaut of Rock, The Soul Rates, and Gaz-Live all play regular sessions during the winter season. The more refined art-nouveau upstairs bar serves as a lounge and cocktail bar as well as arrange of tasty bar snacks.

Le Privilege
This is one of Chamonix's chicest bars; the interior is a mixture of local wood and African furnishings with an ultra-modern looking glass bar and brightly lit drinks shelves. Behind the same bar are usually a few of Chamonix's model-esque barmaids, and a decent champagne fridge. Le Privilege tends to attract a slightly more mature crowd, especially those who are a happy to spend a bit more cash on a night out. However, your investment does go quite a long way here, as there are regular live sets playing, either acoustic duos or house DJs who manage to get one of the best atmospheres going in town. During the summer Le Privilege has a terrace out at the front, and its glass door/windows open out on to the street for al fresco drinking - until around 10pm.

Le Lapin Agile
Le Lapin Agile is a great little wine bar that offers a huge selection of wines from around the world, and also serves Italian-styled food and an assortment of salads. It is a great alternative to the boisterous bars, for those looking to have a quieter evening enjoying really excellent wine with friends. During the evening, between 6:00-9:00 pm, a buffet bar of tasty appetisers is available free of charge with your drinks.

Bar�d Up
Bar'd Up is a small and relaxed hang-out on the Rue de Moulins. This is a chilled out bar that features regular live music and DJ�s. They regularly screen English football matches, and when there�s no sport on the TV, you can while away the hours with a game of pool or table football.

The Pub
The Pub has a friendly British feel to it and a nicely heated terrace, making it a great people watching venue all year round. The bars big screen ensures that it has one of the best atmospheres in town during big sporting events, but get there early if you want a seat or it's standing room only!

MIX Bar
Mix is a new bar in the Rue de Moulins, run by a couple of brothers better known as The Hoax - a DJ act who also play here on a regular basis. Not surprisingly, this DJ bar has a cool vibe, with a modern and funky interior, and groovy tunes to sway to.

O'Byrne's
O'Byrne's is a small bar for a sit down by the river or a quiet-ish evening out in the company of some fine Irish malt whiskeys. Although the original owner was Irish, the bar is now run by the French owners of the Hotel Vallee Blanche next door. The bar is definitely relaxed compared to most others in town - it is unlikely to get rowdy - with the theme of the music being jazz and blues classics. Typically the place is enjoyed by a slightly older clientele wanting a centre of town location to spend a while with friends. During the warmer months there is an outside terrace just by the riverside - one of the few locations in town which does.

CHAMONIX SUD

Munster Bar
If you�re after something a little quieter, then head to Munster Bar in Chamonix Sud - an Irish themed pub that is all dark wood and Guinness. A perfect choice if you�re after a quiet drink, or simply a bit of a breather from the frantic goings on elsewhere. It�s not all sleepy Irish hospitality in here though and sports fans should get themselves down here early if they want a good seat for any big televised sporting events. A dedicated sports bar, Munster has three widescreen televisions.

The Jekyll
Another good place to watch sporting events is The Jekyll, just past the Chamonix Sud bus station. However, the highlight of the Jekyll�s entertainment is their regular comedy nights on a Thursday, boasting some of the big names on today�s comedy circuit (Ed Byrne, Barry Castagnola etc). Places are limited for these evenings so you�re advised to buy your tickets in advance from the bar staff (plus they�re cheaper!) - �10 in advance or �15 on the door. They also offer a great "Dinner and Show" combo for �35 p/p, which includes a 3 course set meal (veggie option available) and entrance to the comedy show.

Monkey Bar
As well as being a great place to apres, the Monkey Bar attracts a fun crowd in the evening with its drink promos and live bands and DJ sets from 10pm throughout the week. One of the other big draws to Monkey Bar (especially for locals) is that they do a full roast dinner every Sunday for �10 and then Curry Night on Tuesdays when you can get curry and a pint for �10! Can�t say fairer than that!

South Bar
If you like Chambre 9, then the chances are that you'll like South Bar too. With live music early in the evening and DJ sounds pumping until 2pm, it's a great place to hang out with a load of Scandinavian lovelies. The upstairs bar is usually pretty rammed so if you find yourself 3 people deep, head to the back and down the stairs where you'll find a more chilled (and less busy) bar and lounge area. Offering those oh so hard to resist 2:1 cocktails from 8-10pm every night, South Bar is certain to make catching first lift a bit of a challenge!

WORTH THE WALK

Cha Cha Cha
Cha Cha Cha is a stylish wine and spirit merchant on Ave Ravanel Le Rouge (just past Zero G), that offers a varied schedule of wine, beer and spirit tastings every night of the week. With tasting sessions that includes wine of the Loire Valley, Burgundy, Bordeaux, local Savoie wine, champagnes and whiskies (amongst others), locals and visitors alike come to taste and learn about wine in a friendly and relaxed environment. You can also buy a glass or bottle of wine to enjoy at the bar throughout the day and evening.

The Vagabond
The Vagabond is a perennial favorite for locals, seasonnaires and the guests who stay in the adjoining hostel. The bar caters for a lively, upbeat & friendly crowd in a vibrant yet relaxed, cosy and atmospheric watering place. Chilled and funky tunes play from behind the bar, unless there is an international sports event being televised, in which case, the commentary is turned up full to complement the big screen action. If you�re looking for Scotch whisky, then the Vaga boasts �one of the most extensive and continually expanding ranges of superlative Scotch single malt whisky this side of Scotland. Probably Maybe!�

Le Vert
Le Vert, although on the outskirts of town (Les Gaillands) is well worth making the effort to visit. They have some edgy and big name DJ�s offering a mix of music styles and often have original concept nights bringing a bit of fun and alot of cheap drinks to Chamonix. During the day, you�ll find the latest mountain sports videos and live sporting events playing on a projector and huge plasma screen. You can also choose from a range of tasty bar snacks and meals such as ribs, burgers and a good old Sunday roast.

The Clubhouse
The Clubhouse is a candle-lit art deco bar and dining area with a roaring fire place, serving classic cocktails, cold beer, good quality wines, great Scotch and rare Armagnac. Although it is a members only bar, it is usually possible for non-members to make one-off visits, particularly if you call ahead. This classy bar is a world away from the usual apr�s-ski offerings of a pitcher of frothy Amstel, a glass of below-par plonk or a shot of no-name, hang-over vodka � just remember to bring your credit card!

Micro Brasserie de Chamonix (mbc)
Run by four Canadians with a passion for beer who wanted to do something completely different, mbc produces highly regarded and naturally produced real ales and lagers. Those on offer range from the Blonde de Chamonix light pilsner (light, smooth, refreshing),) through to the hardcore Stout des Drus (rich, strong coffee/chocolate taste). The lively buzz inside is no doubt merrily fuelled by the contents of those barrels or the range of other 'normal' drinks. Live bands often play during apres-ski and in the evenings.

last updated 25-Mar-2008

Late Night Bars & Clubs in Chamonix

La Cantina
La Cantina Club has a reputation for organising some of Chamonix's best dance nights, its success frequently attributed to the energy of the bar staff. As 'the' home of Chamonix's underground music scene (and quite literally underground!), it's situated in a narrow side street just past Super U. La Cantina regularly brings in DJ's from around the world, as well as several local bands, throwing into the mix a loud selection of hip-hop, drum n bass, groove, and dub, making the small but highly-charged club go off until the early ours. La Cantina is quoted as a �don't miss� location for those into their nightlife with good reason. Don't expect to leave without serious tinitus!

Le Garage
Le Garage is Chamonix's largest nightclub and melting pot for all the late night (sometimes all-night) party-goers. Situated on the outskirts of Chamonix Sud, the club is very popular with the French, Scandinavians and British from all over town. Throughout the week Le Garage plays host to a number of theme nights with internationally recognised DJ's, and some scantily-clad and highly-talented 'dancers', usually on Thursday nights.

No Escape
Step into the cosmopolitan lounge bar at No Escape, and you could easily be entering a hip London night spot. Cool lighting, contemporary styling and attention to detail are in abundance here. Whether you choose to make yourself at home at the luminescent bar or sink into one of the comfy sofas with their abundant faux fur cushions, the glamorous staff will bring your drinks to you along with a complimentary �amuse bouche�. The resident DJ heats things up on the dance floor later in the evening with the latest club beats and tunes. With a 5am licence this winter, at No Escape you are guaranteed to be the last man dancing (or maybe lounging by that time!) and the only thing to pull away will be the lure of the first lift. A Gentleman's Club, 7th Heaven, is situated within No Escape itself. 250� will buy and a table and a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne, where you are welcome to chat with the girls and then there's a private room for dances.

Le Choucas
Don�t let the outside chalet-style building fool you into thinking this is some sweet traditional Savoyarde coffee house. With a happy hour from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and a party that lasts until 4:00 am, Le Choucas is one of Chamonix�s late night institutions. The fabled pink neon lights draw you into this popular but pricey bar, where guest DJ�s will have you spinning on the dance floor to classic cheesy tunes until closing time. Le Choucas also hosts many of the big event after parties such as the Rip Curl Girls Tour & the Nissan Outdoor Games, when the crowd and the vibe gets infinitely cooler.

last updated 25-Mar-2008