Bars

Bars

The Chambre Neuf still leads the pack as the busiest bar in town. During the winter the excellent band means it is THE place for après ski. Real live Swedish girls dancing on tables and everything you think you need after a day on the mountain. Summer means sitting on the terrace soaking up the rays and enjoying your tipple alfresco. It is also good for a drink at other times and a favourite amongst the local ex-pats for lunch.

L'Elevation 1904 is situated across the road from the Chambre Neuf and is a friendly little cafe/bar open all day. It is the type of French place you never thought would be able to abide by the smoking ban. However it has and is an excellent spot for the morning expresso, all day lunch or quiet evening beer.

La Terrace occupies the best location in town and is still trying to make its name as the cool place to hang out. They have shut the restaurant part of the bar. Downstairs you can expect live music revelry whereas upstairs has a more ‘cocktail’ bar-feel with funky dj’s and comfy sofas.

Bar'd Up is now the only Aussie theme pub in town. As an Aussie, I can tell you, it is a good pub but not very Aussie (which may be a good thing for some). An excellent place to have a not so quiet beer or watch the sport - albeit that they rate the football higher than the cricket (not very Aussie at all). Regular live bands, DJ’s and themed nights.

The Privilege is very much a bar not a pub and although reassuringly expensive it is great for a cleansing ale. The quality of live entertainment varies and earplugs should sometimes be handed out at the door. Even so we like it, particularly when Charlotte Church is doing karaoke as we once witnessed.

Bar'd Up and Privilege are situated at either end of Rue du Moulins, affectionately known by the French Rue D’Anglaise, so named because of all the English speaking bars that used to be there. This has not been the case since a big fire gutted four drinking establishments a few seasons ago. However there is a resurgence with the opening of the very trendy The Mix and the small but friendly Soulfood. There is also hope for the coming season that we will have another - we will keep you posted.

The Dolce Vita wine bar is for the more discerning clientele. With a good wine card and a more grown-up feeling inside it a good spot beside the river to quaff a glass or two.

A great addition to town has been the wine merchant ChaChaCha. Where you can sample a variety of plonk by the glass or even join one of the regular wine tasting sessions.

Many nights were spent trying the homebrew at the Micro Brasserie de Chamonix or MBC. A seven minute walk from the centre of town means it attracts a more committed crowd of real ale aficionados. A good place to track down a mountain guide with a story or two! The chicken wings are legendary and the burgers are pretty good too. Watch out for the beer it sneaks up on you and look out for the local band, Gary Bigham and The Crevassholes - a Chamonix institution.

The Clubhouse is a very funky looking place. The cocktails are world class and it is very London, New York wannabe, darling! Except it is in Chamonix.

The Pub is aptly named and has a good crowd each night, with bands playing every now and then. Not the funkiest bar but it is a good place to start after dinner. They play the sport on a TV down the back too.

The Derapage also falls into the same category with an almost "speak easy" hidden feel to the place. Its reputation is for a good place to start or finish the night.

The Jekyll Pub has had more makeovers than Madonna. The old problems of slow service are long gone and faster beer is a good thing in any language. Its reputation for good pub grub is still in tact and the current bar staff are friendly and good fun. A great spot to catch any sports event!

The Vagabond is a long time Chamonix institution with many a seasonaire spending their first night in Chamonix in the gite attached. Very much a locals’ bar with many a tradesman holding up the bar after work and skibums aplenty. Great summer BBQs on a Friday night.

South Bar, the life and soul of Cham-Sud and wall to wall Swede. Always a lively bar, popular with the younger Chamonix contingent. The Monkey Bar has entered the fray in the Harlem of Chamonix and enjoys a good reputation too. The trifecta of bars in Cham-Sud is completed by The Munster Irish theme bar, which is very popular with our staff.

On the outskirts of town near Gaillands climbing wall is Le Vert which has a solid crew of drinkers and a very funky image. Certainly a good addition to the area. It is the place to be if the waist of your jeans is closer to your knees than your navel and you like your underwear visible.

The nearby village of Argentiere has the legendary Office Bar that serves as pub, cafe, restaurant and nightclub. Its reign at the top is being challenged by Posh John’s Rusticana or Rusty Bar as the place to be seen.

The Stone Bar has also earned a great reputation as a bar with many describing their pizza as the best in the valley. "Wonderful fresh ingredients on a beautiful thin crust" was the basis of many reviews.

The Le Delice in Les Houches is still ‘cutting the mustard". This restaurant and tapas bar gets fantastic reviews from the locals. Well worth the short drive down the Valley.