Entertainment in The French Alps
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Chambre Neuf
Cover bands, raucous après-ski drinking and Swedish blondes dancing on the tables make Chambre Neuf one of Chamonix' liveliest party haunts. Conversations about epic off-pistes and monster jumps that are, like, totally mental, man, dominate at every table.
reviewed
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Cantina Club
DJs spin everything from deep house to Afrobeat and hip hop at this pumping underground club. The street-level restaurant cooks up Tex-Mex food.
reviewed
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Barberousse
There are 70-odd types of aromatic rum (think cherry, apple, papaya etc) to try - many fermenting in giant pirate-style glass flasks behind the counter - at this superbly hip shooter bar hidden down an alley. Down a shot of cherry, apple, papaya or other fruit-flavoured liqueurs. Note that a planteur is fruitier than a shooter,and backpacks must be left in the wardrobe (around €1).
reviewed
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Le 365
This Pandora's box of knick-knacks oozes an atmosphere so relaxed it really is difficult to leave whatever the time of day. Hang out around low tables on comfy leather chairs and sip a hot chocolat Chartreuse (which comes with whipped cream, spiced bread, chocolate and dried fruit!) or something stronger. Look for the Michelin rubber-tyre man outside.
reviewed
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Goophy
Goophy by name, goophy by nature at this large pub-style space with wooden floor, high ceilings and a bounty of merrymaking punters near the train station. Those who never quite make it back to their chalet can enjoy surprisingly tasty food - spare ribs with BBQ sauce, blackened chicken filet, a cheese and bacon Goophy burger and so on - from 19:00 to 23:00.
reviewed
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MC2
Grenoble's most dynamic all-rounder for theatre, dance, opera, jazz and other music. It's 2km south of the centre on tram line A, stop MC2.
reviewed
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Monkey Bar
With a sign touting ‘live sports and sexy bar staff’, this is one very cheeky monkey. Slightly grungy, very cool, this party hot spot has live gigs and DJs several times a week. There’s a mad rush to the bar at 4.45pm when pints are €1.50 for 15 minutes – get ’em in quick!
reviewed
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La Soupe aux Choux
Going strong for some 25 years, 'cabbage soup' stirs live jazz from swing to blues into Grenoble's after-dark mix. Find it a five-minute walk west of the Musée Dauphinois.
reviewed
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Le Jekyll
Fill up on BBQ ribs, Irish lamb and Guinness stew washed down with a pint of Murphy's at Chamonix's Irish pub - or descend to the cellar for a shot with Hyde. Happy hour is 20:00 to 22:00, DJs and live bands play 'til late and Sunday breakfast/roast is a hit.
reviewed
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MBC
This trendy microbrewery run by four Canadians is fab. Be it with their burgers, cheesecake of the week, live music or amazing locally brewed and named beers (Blonde de Chamonix, Stout des Drus, Blanche des Guides etc), MBC delivers.
reviewed
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Poco Loco
Chip-eating punters love this grungy café-bar - a takeaway counter downstairs and five-odd tables topped by a ceiling of corrugated iron. Well-stuffed toasted sandwiches (large round baps in fact) are served in a brown paper bag.
reviewed
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Le Couche Tard
If you're too cool for school, check out the 'go to bed late', a grungy pub that actively encourages you to graffiti its walls. The merrier you become during happy hour (until 10pm daily), the more imaginative those doodles become...
reviewed
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Styx
The air is vodka heavy at hip, chic and steely Styx where a cooler-than-cool clientele sip shots and cocktails beneath a vaulted stone ceiling. Designer bites include beef and salmon carpaccio.
reviewed
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Bistrot des Sports
An age-old meeting place for muleteers, guides and other men of the mountain, this bolthole has kept a certain charm and authenticity. The street terrace is perfect for a mellow drink.
reviewed
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Le Tof
Chamonix's gay scene struts its stuff in Chamonix's only wholly gay bar and disco. Sip aperitifs, munch tapas and dance to house, new wave and retro in a trendy lounge atmosphere.
reviewed
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Elevation 1904
Alpine paraphernalia lines the walls of this merry bet by the train station, with an all-day snack shack. The suntrap terrace is just right for relaxing over a cold one.
reviewed
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La Terrasse
Race the clock for cheap drinks (5pm €5, 6pm €6 etc) and take position on the strategically placed terrace on Chamonix' main square. There's live music nightly.
reviewed
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momento
Steel and neon mingle with a well-dressed set at this trendy lounge bar (no capital M please) where tapas whets appetites and DJs set toes tapping from 22:30.
reviewed
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Les 3 Canards
A studenty in-the-know set favours this candle-lit bar with violet tables and a decor that seriously distracts. Locals call it 'Les 3C' ('the three ducks').
reviewed
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BPM
The most recent nightclub to open its doors in dance-mad Chamonix, BPM is glam and glitzy. It is at the end of the passage next to Rip Curl.
reviewed
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Le Office
In Argentière, Le Office, with its resident DJs, Sunday roasts, pool tables and live sport, is the hot place to hang.
reviewed
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River's Café
A young and hip crowd linger over expertly mixed caipirinhas and house beats at this voguish lounge bar.
reviewed
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Subway
Seeking out fellow drink-happy students? Hit this rough-cut student bar where DJs mix live some nights.
reviewed
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Le Garage
An electro-house club that opens for a short and sweet three hours of pumping beats every night.
reviewed
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3 Cinémas
Films are shown in English at 3 Cinémas . Check out the programme at www.chamonix.com.
reviewed
