Top Ten Bars of Châtel Village
Châtel hosts a fine variety of bars across the village, certainly more than enough to content even the most determined night-time revellers during a good week's skiing. This top ten bar selection - in no particular order - is just part of what Châtel has on offer. Choose for yourself and see if you agree!
The après ski in Châtel is lively and yet more intimate than the likes of Val d'Isere or Courchevel. There is more of a 'friends and family' feel about the nightlife. Don't expect to see students dancing on the bar every night... but if you want to boogie, Le Sloopy's is open daily to 5.30am! The bars are mostly family run ranging from the traditional to contemporary character; some with music, others quieter, plus the usual pool tables, table football and TV screens of the latest hair raising ski and board descents. Plenty to keep you entertained before dinner, after or without dinner at all!
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I have tried to keep this list to establishments that aim at drinks first rather than restaurants proving a small bar but that are mostly prepared for dining. There are many of the latter and they should be explored too; they will also be covered in a later blog. For more about the great chalets on the piste look at our overview of the many mountain restaurants in the area. There are in fact eleven listed here but let's not quibble about that...
Bar L'Isba
A pleasant bar just down from the centre on the Route du Linga with some stools outside and a good buzz in the evening. A convenient coffee stop during the day. In the evening the Rum Bar downstairs opens up for some lively concoctions.
L'Avalanche
Situated slightly further down the Route du Linga, this well known establishment is definitely one of the more active late night spots with plenty of atmosphere. Music thumps away and the beers flow until late. Jump into the novel car seating by the front door and down a beer at the wheel!
La Godille "Chez Popeye"
Opposite the Marie just above the church, this is a classic skiing sports bar. Wooden styling inside but with a modern twist: plasma screens, cow hides and even a dancing pole! It's a great spot to recount the day's adventures. What out for the green beer though...
Nazca
Continue up the main road through the village, the Route de Vonnes, and Nazca presents itself, spilling out onto the street with its wide open frontage. There are several bar tables outside which makes it a great spot to watch the world go by. As the evening cools you can dart back inside and rest those legs on the comfy sofas. Recently renovated and modern in feel.
Les Contrebandiers
A back-to-back bar and restaurant towards Lac Vonnes at the top of the village. Wooden styling dominates in this more traditional bar with bar-stools with a pool table. Drop in, chill out and grab a bite while you are at it.
L'Escale
This establishment has a unique position, overlooking the valley at the top of the Super-Chatel gondola. On a sunny day the terrace is a fantastic spot for food or drinks; when it's snowing hard, dive inside and snuggle into the sheepskin covers. Stop off for an early aperitif on the last run home.
Chevy Bar
When you come off the Petit Châtel chairlift Chevy Bar is immediately on your right, part of the Arc en Ciel hotel. A perfect location to end your day's skiing and begin the evening's entertainment (there are pub games including darts). The ski bus also stops outside so you can even perch here on the balcony with a beer and run for the bus as it arrives!
Le Schuss
Perched at the bottom of the Linga piste and above the ski hire shops this is the nearest bar to the piste. Perfect if all you want to do is to unbuckle those boots and revive yourself with a refreshingly cold beer.
La Perdrix Blanche
At the foot of the Pré-la-Joux pistes, this large chalet style bar remains busy throughout much of the day. There are lots of tables outside for drinks and food. La Perdrix is another fine spot for people watching. It is also convenient for parents waiting for children's lessons to finish on the nearby beginner slopes. At the end of the day, situated right by the bus stop, it is also a gloriously tempting way to warm up.
Le Chaudron, Bowling Pub & Bar
Le Chaudron provides an antidote to snow sports. Hidden away behind the Vieux Four restaurant on the way up to the Super-Chatel gondola building is this bowling alley and bar. Four computer controlled bowling lanes, table football, pool table, huge sports screens with pizzas and beers. Open every evening from 7pm. Why not?
Le Sloopy's
Sloopys, under the Super-Chatel gondola building in the village, deserves a mention as the late night hangout. Châtel's nightclub keeps dancing every night until 5.30am throughout the winter with two floors for techno and 80's/90's pop. If you want to really go for it one evening, this is the place.
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