An independent guide to Val Thorens
Most Val Thorens bars are in the Rue de Gébroulaz, also known as 'rue de la soif' (thirsty street).
Two of the best are O'Connells, the Irish pub, and the Frog and Roastbeef, the British pub.
Then there are bars in the Balcons area, around the place de Caron in the centre of resort, and down in the rue du Soleil.
Find out all you need to know about Val Thorens bars here.
Find bars on
our Val Thorens bars map.
Rue de Gébroulaz is the main bar street, and it often has a lively atmosphere.
Different pubs cater to different nationalities - British, Scandinavian and Dutch. They range from loud and silly, to quieter and more civilised.
This is a favourite pub of ours. It has a relaxed atmosphere, and is a good place to go if you want to be able to chat, and hear what your friends are saying.
The staff are friendly, and the pub serves surprisingly good Guinness, as well as a good range of other beers - Kilkenny, Belgian beer on draught, and the standard Kronenbourg.
They show the main football and rugby matches; free wi-fi is available (when you buy a drink).
O'Connells doesn't serve any food, but you can choose from four different flavours of Pringles!
Tel: +33 479 01 05 05
The Frog & Roastbeef is the main rendezvous for British season workers and visitors. It is a lively place. At times, there's live music at apres-ski.
Food is available at lunchtime and in the evenings.
A mainly Danish bar with young customers, Café Snesko attracts a lively crowd. Expect loud music, dancing on tables, and general Scandinavian craziness.
Saloon is a lively bar, which sometimes has live music at après-ski (from 7pm). Later on, from 9pm, there's a DJ and dancing.
It specialises in cocktails, and attracts Scandinavians and some Brits.
Downstairs from Saloon, Downunder Sports Bar has TVs showing the main sports events.
'If you're looking for a great place to unwind, catch a game, and enjoy excellent drinks, Downunder Sports Bar is the spot to be!' says one Google review.
Contact: valt@saloonbar.com
A mainly Dutch bar, Le Monde is very lively - more lively than the French newspaper with which it shares its name - with DJs playing Euromusic.
Contact: info@lemonde.nl
Favela is a lively bar/restaurant.
There's après-ski on the terrace, food at lunchtime and in the evening, and drinks and dancing until late at night.
Contact: booking@favelavalthorens.com
Rhum Box is an idiosynchratic bar, which specializes in rum - they have have 30 different fruit-flavoured rums, plus the normal range of drinks.
The owner Mitch is a character. There's a nice atmosphere, which is more relaxed than some of the neighbouring bars.
In the Hotel Tango, this bar has long been popular in Val Thorens. The hotel has a mix of Scandinavian and British clients, and mainly Swedish staff, employed by Langley Travel.
Its bar is good at après-ski time, when there's often live music. Later in the evening, you can enjoy a drink and conversation here. It can be busy when there's a special night.
Tel: +33 479 00 02 70
This bar is part of the Portillo hotel and apartment complex, and also serves as a restaurant. It's good for a coffee during the day time, or an apéritif.
There is a hidden gem of a terrace at the back, with a great view, which is brilliant on a sunny afternoon.
There's also an apres-ski bar at the Portillo called Au Perchoir. It seems to be popular with locals and season workers.
Tel: +33 479 00 00 88
Just down the road from Place Péclet is Jackie Kitchen & Club (formerly Snow Café). It serves sushi then transforms into a club later on.
Tel: +33 636 17 10 95
Part of Val Thorens' nightlife for 30 years, Malaysia is a bar and nightclub (see also Val Thorens nightclubs). It opens at 11pm, and alternates DJ sets and live music until.
Around 1am, they open the doors through to the club and dancefloor, creating enough space for 2500 people. From 2am, Malaysia is in nightclub mode, until it closes at 4am.
Tel: +33 479 00 05 25
La Bicicleta is part of the ten pin bowling in Val Thorens.
The bowling and games make this venue lively, and a bit different from the other bars in Val Thorens - and child-friendly. The wooden furniture is in mock-prehistoric-Flintstones style.
You can order at the bar, or there's table service too. They have a lot of TV screens, and show sporting events, so it can be busy and hot when there's a big football match on.
Tel: +33 789 63 06 87
Le Blanchot is a modestly-sized, relaxed wine bar, with tall tables and high stools. It's also a restaurant.
Tel: +33 966 97 05 91
At the end of the rue Piétonne de Caron, below the Arcelle apartments, is the Baramix, one of the Val Thorens nightclubs. It has a quieter upstairs bar, and a disco-bar downstairs.
They're open from 4pm til 4am, and they have a DJ, so it's effectively a club.
Wild & Savage (formerly L'Eclipse) is in the Caron centre.
They serve a range of beers and cocktails, plus snacks. They also sell caps and hoodies. There are regular DJs and live bands.
Tel: +33 479 06 42 41
The other Irish pub in Val Thorens, the Shamrock is friendly, serves good Guinness, and shows the main football matches and other sporting events. Open 6pm to 2am.
Tel: +33 479 00 03 53
Mainly a restaurant, the Chamois d'Or has a small bar just inside the entrance, which can be a handy place to stop for a hot chocolate on a bad weather day - since it's right by the piste.
You can also have a drink outside on the terrace.
Tel: +33 479 00 08 79
Le Rendez-Vous is a bar and restaurant which is quiet and reasonably refined - a refreshing change in Val Thorens!
Tel: +33 479 00 10 40
The restaurant in the Cheval Blanc has a little bar area that is open from 4pm.
Tel: +33 479 00 03 74
The Red Fox is a nice 'local' if you're staying in the Balcons area. It has a genuine pub atmosphere.
Food is available, including great pizzas to eat in or take away.
Tel: +33 479 00 85 37
Although mainly a restaurant, the Auberge has a small bar area by the entrance, with a pool table. Consistently friendly service.
Tel: +33 479 00 91 91
La Ferme de Rosalie is a cosy bar restaurant.
As well as main meals, it offers crepes or charcuterie to accompany an apres-ski drink, and take-away pizzas.
Tel: +33 479 08 07 29
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