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Best Bars in Argentiere, Les Houches & the Outskirts of Chamonix

featured in Nightlife reviews Author Katy Dartford, Chamonix Reporter Updated

On one occasion, I drove some stalwart Chamonix friends to Argentiere for a curry: “Where are you taking us? Italy!!!?” was the horrified reaction, en route… But is night life outside of Chamonix centre really so bad that it should provoke such response? Will you be met by France’s very own version of the ‘League of gentlemen?’ Well, fear not. I can’t promise you’ll be accepted by the *the locals* but there is liveliness to be found in the Chamonix Valley's other villages.

In “Argy,” (as the locals like to call Argentiere), the place to really meet French locals is the tiny, but buzzing and quirky Slalom Bar. Tucked into a corner around from the main street, it's a good place to chill out, surf the internet, or watch sports on TV with one of their rum-laced hot chocolates... Later on they also have live music, DJs, apres-ski parties and great cocktails.

Nearby, The Office Bar is the main centre for Argentiere’s nightlife. After tackling Grandes Montets, riders head there for happy hours from 5pm until 6pm or specials from 10-11pm. Try their oven baked nachos and a pitcher of Jupiler for 14€. They also do good value bar food with a British twist, such as fish and chips, pie and pulled pork sandwiches and their dishes are available for takeaway too. As expected, there’s live music and all the main sporting events are shown on their TV’s in the main bar or the vaulted stone basement. 

Set to challenge its place as the leader of Argy nightlife is the newly re-opened Fubar. With happy hour from 4pm until 6pm, and cocktail madness from 9pm to 10pm… then shot O'clock from 11pm to midnight, a ride on their bucking bronco may be just NOT what the doctor ordered! Again,  DJ’s and live music every night, as well as open mic night on Wednesdays presented by Rich Rat.

Wonder down town, or just a few minutes walk from the Grands Montetes ski area and you will spot The Savoy,  the old blue cottage on the roadside, that looks a bit like a saloon in the wild west, but is one of the oldest and cosiest bars in Argy. Its rustic inside and has beer from the Micro-Brewery de Chamonix (MBC) and often there is live music.

Head a little out of Argentiere village and just to the right of the roundabout as you enter the Grand Montets is La Yaute Tex Mex Restaurant. Started by family and friends that were passionate about live music, it launched in January 2012 and is open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday. For lunch there’s a lighter menu with daily specials, and in the evening try one of their specialties; enchilada, burrito, fajitas or ceviche. On Thursday nights you can get fajitas with a margarita for € 10 and they have live music and a separate games room with a pool table too. 

At the other end of the valley in family friendly Les Houches, you'll be thankful for a bit of liveliness from the quirkily decorated Kitsch Inn next to the Bellevue cable car, right at the bottom of the home run. The rebuilt Kitsch Inn has a new deck and terrace outside plus a dedicated kids area and great English/French fusion food and regular meal deals. The bar is open daily from 8am to 1am for breakfast, right through to 10pm for dinner. It's big inside, with live bands playing regularly and even a piano and guitar for passing musicians. 

Elsewhere and Le Délice is a cosy yet elegant bistro style restaurant with food ranging from a selection of brasserie dishes during the day and a French-Asian fusion menu in the evening. They have tap beers, good wines, cocktails and coffee and there is often live music from their resident musician Mr Ray Gavin. There’s also the Slalom Hotel Bar which has happy hours from 5-7pm, live sport on their big screen TV, live music and a weekly pub quiz.

Finally a word of recommendation from a Les Houches local; the Sun Café on the avenue des Alpages, it's a nice little place, open all year round (a plus in Les Houches), they are friendly, it's comparatively cheap and you can get a few drinks in quickly whilst waiting for your takeaways curry from the Gandhi restaurant next door.’ which, by the way, does an amazing lunch time deal- €7.50 starters, main and coffee. Bargain.

Location

Map of the surrounding area