Best Tignes Après-Ski Bars & Nightlife

One of the Alps’ most extensive nightlife scenes, spread across Tignes’ five connected villages. Legendary après ski at Cocorico. Late-night clubbing in Melting Pot. Bonkers at La Folie Douce. Chill at Le Studio, before a toney finish in Caves du Loop. Free shuttle connects everything.

Why Tignes Stands Out

The SNO team has been out-on-the-tiles in every top ski resort across the Alps, but Tignes stands out for its sheer variety. Val d’Isère concentrates nightlife in the central area. Courchevel is sophisticated but limited late-night. Tignes spreads the action across five distinct villages, each with its own character and must-visit bars.

With the free bus between villages until the early hours makes your après odyssey easy. I’ve started with après-ski in Val Claret, done dinner then Scotty’s (now Queue de Cochon) in Le Lavachet, then finished at Blue Girl in Val Claret. All without worrying about transport costs or logistics.

What you’ll find:

• Venues across 5 villages with different atmospheres
• Free shuttle buses connecting everything
• Options from budget-friendly local bars to upscale cocktail venues
• Late-night clubs staying open until the early hours
• Mix of British pub culture, French Alpine tradition, modern party venues

The Five Villages Explained

Val Claret: The Après Ski Hub

Altitude: 2,100m | High-energy atmosphere

Val Claret sits at the base of the glacier for that authentic “straight off the slopes” vibe. The main venues have perfected the art of après-ski – the scene can get pretty intense during peak times.

Cocorico Après-Ski Bar

The venue everyone talks about, for better or wor se. Cocorico has built its reputation on controlled chaos. Table dancing, singalongs, and the kind of scenes that end up on Instagram stories. The large terrace fills fast during après-ski hours.

When to visit: The energy builds from 3pm, peaks between 4-6pm, then gradually transitions to a more relaxed evening. Happy hour runs from 2-4pm if you want slightly cheaper drinks and a less frantic scene.

What to expect: A young, international crowd. Lots of British groups and music that veers toward crowd-pleasers rather than cutting-edge. The atmosphere that can feel overwhelming if you’re not in the mood for high energy. We love it!

The table dancing tradition has become somewhat legendary. Don’t heed naysayers that music selection isn’t what it used to be. It’s undeniably an experience, and the terrace views of the glacier are spectacular when you pause between the mayhem.

Le Whitney Bar

If Cocorico feels too much, Whitney is a sophisticated alternative. The cocktail menu is decent, the terrace has better views for photos. The crowd leans slightly older, with more conversation than crowd participation.

Best for: Groups who want quality drinks, couples looking for something more intimate, anyone seeking refuge from the party atmosphere without leaving Val Claret entirely.

The Underground Scene

Both Blue Girl and Melting Pot occupy basements that transform at night. Blue Girl tends toward mainstream dance music and attracts a younger crowd. Melting Pot caters more to seasonaires and people who know their EDM.

Jack from SNO summed it up, “Blue Girl is where you go for a city nightclub. Melting Pot is where you go when you want to dance.”

Tignes Le Lac: The Balanced Option

Altitude: 2,100m | Something for everyone

Le Lac feels like a proper village center, with venues clustered around the main area. The bar-hopping here feels natural and adds variety to your evening.

The Loop Bar

Loop has somehow become the unofficial community centre of Tignes. On any given evening, you’ll find ski instructors, seasonaires, families finishing dinner, and hardcore après-skiers all happily cheek-by-jowl.

What works: The loyalty card, decent food including that Korean chicken burger mentioned in every review, sports on multiple screens, and happy hour that runs longer than most.

The crowd is genuinely mixed – French locals, British workers, international guests. A more authentic atmosphere than venues that cater exclusively to tourists.

Strike Tignes

Large  new venue has has raised the bar for nightlife in Le Lac. Multiple areas, pro sound and lighting, plus capacity for big numbers.

Mixes of international DJs and local talent – production values are genuinely high. Entry fees vary depending on what’s happening, but expect to pay club rather than pub prices.

Worth knowing: Opens Wednesday through Saturday from 11pm, with the real action starting after 1am. Dress code is enforced after 10pm – no ski wear.

The Marmot Arms

One of the better British pubs you’ll find in the Alps. Proper ales, Brit staff who understand pub culture, and opening hours that work for après-ski.

The pub quiz on Wednesday nights draws a surprisingly competitive crowd. The atmosphere during major football matches rivals anything you’d find in the UK. Sunday roasts are the real deal – proper Yorkshire puddings get SNOman’s vote.

Le Lavachet: The Quieter Choice

Altitude: 1,550m | More intimate atmosphere

Most tourists skip Lavachet, which is exactly why it’s worth visiting. Venues cater to chalet guests and locals looking for something away from the tourist crowds.

Le Brasero

Notable for live music rather than relying on DJs and playlists. They book musicians throughout the season. The space is small enough that performances feel intimate rather than like background noise.

Local French performers, touring acts, acoustic sessions – there’s something happening most nights. Check their schedule if you prefer live music to recorded.

So Bar

Opens later than most venues (8pm) – cocktails and wine, rather than beer and shots. Clientele skews toward chalet guests and resort staff looking for quality over quantity.

Expect higher prices but genuine mixology, vodka-Red Bull combo’s. The conversation-focused atmosphere extends past midnight.

Les Brévières: Traditionally Alpine

Altitude: 1,550m | Local character

Les Brévières maintains its Alpine village character, and the watering holes reflect this. Prices are lower, the atmosphere more relaxed, and you’re more likely to sup alongside French locals.

The Vault

This venue has gone through several iterations but maintains the quirky character. The building has genuine historical character rather than manufactured Alpine theming.

Local appeal: Real regulars mixing with tourists. Conversational atmosphere rather than party focused. Traditional Savoyard food alongside drinks.

Hotel Bars

Particularly handy during bad weather when outdoor terraces close. Intimate settings that encourage conversation.

Les Boisses: The Family Base

Altitude: 1,850m | Quiet and family-oriented

Les Boisses serves mainly as accommodation rather than nightlife destination. Hotel bars work well as starting points, with easy shuttle access to the main venues.

Les Melezes

Our fave’ for both apres ski and a later night out in Les Boisses, largely because of uber-host Ellie.

Le Four 7

Chilled bar and games-room above eatery with mountain fare and Japanese.

Cav’Ô 1800

Nice cocktails and opens until 2am.

The SNO Après-Ski Strategy

We’ve tested various combo’s over many seasons – this one’s ambitious, but works:

Early afternoon (2-4pm): Start at Cocorico during happy hour. The crowd is manageable, drinks are cheaper, and you can secure terrace space before the chaos commences. Order food now as you’ll need it later.

Peak time (4-6pm): Stay at Cocorico for the ‘full experience’ or escape to Loop Bar if the energy is OTT. The 5:30pm shuttle to Le Lac provides an easy exit-excuse.

Evening (6-8pm): Move to Le Lac for dinner and regrouping. Time to sober up (slightly) and plan the rest of the evening. Loop Bar for casual dining, Whitney Bar for more upscale.

Big Night Out (8pm onwards): Choose your adventure based on group preferences. Pub-hopping around Le Lac, underground scenes in Val Claret, or full nightclub experience at Strike Tignes.

The beauty of Tignes is that you’re never stuck in one scene. Change venues based on energy levels and group dynamics.

Seasonal Events Worth Booking Around

European Snow Pride (March): Europe’s largest gay ski week. Over 1,000 participants transform the entire resort. The atmos’ is infectious and straight folks are equally welcomed. Venues put on special events.

Mountain Shaker Festival (Feb): Electronic music festival in multiple venues simultaneously. A village-wide party atmosphere with programming spread across different locations.

Tignes Unlimited (Late April/Early May): Season-closing festival that brings international DJs while glacier skiing continues. The combination of spring skiing and festival feel is intoxicating. One of the best times to go on holiday to Tignes.

These events fill accommodation quickly. Book early if you want to experience the resort during peak party periods.

Need-to-Know Practical Info

Transport: Bus runs every 15 minutes during peak times, then hourly until 5 a.m. Download the Tignes shuttle app for real-time tracking. Walking between Val Claret and Le Lac takes about 15 minutes via the main road. Dress right for this – it gets really cold at night.

Money-saving tips:

• Loop Bar’s loyalty card (10 drinks = 1 free) works on cocktails too
• Happy hours vary by venue but generally run 3-7pm
• Les Brévières venues offer the cheapest drinks in resort
• Pre-drinking in apartments is common and accepted

Group bookings: Whitney Bar and Strike Tignes take reservations for larger groups. Cocorico and Loop Bar operate on a first-come basis.

Recent changes: Strike Tignes has raised the nightlife stakes since opening. Some smaller venues have adjusted opening hours due to staffing issues. Pricing has increased across the board post-COVID, but proportionally with other resorts.

SNO’s Honest Assessment

Tignes nightlife works because the venues have genuine character developed over time. The five-village structure creates natural variety that smaller resorts can’t match.

Is it the absolute best in the Alps? That depends what you’re looking for. Val d’Isère has more luxury options. St. Anton has deeper après-ski traditions. But for sheer variety and accessibility, Tignes is hard to beat.

Free transport changes the game, compared to resorts where you’re trapped in one area all evening. With venues connected this easily, nightlife becomes about exploration.

The democratic nature of the social scene is its strength. Memorable evenings on limited seasonaires budget, or dropping big bucks on VIP après. The Tignes Spirit is great at any price point.

We love après ski and night life in Tignes, and we know you will too.

NB: Prices and opening hours vary by season. This guide reflects conditions during recent visits but venues do adjust operations based on snow conditions, staff availability, and seasonal demand.

Talk to the SNO team on 020 7770 6888 about where’s best to stay to be plugged into the Tignes social scene. Read more about ski trips to Tignes or browse the ski holidays.