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Beer & Après Prices in Obertauern

What you'll actually pay for drinks and food in Obertauern, Austria. Prices verified for 2025/26 season.

The Drinking Culture in Obertauern

Obertauern's après-ski culture emerged in the 1960s when Austrian tourism began targeting winter sports enthusiasts, transforming a small alpine farming community into one of Austria's most celebrated party resorts. What sets Obertauern apart is its unique bowl topography—skiers descend directly into the village center, creating an unbeatable flow from last run to first drink. The resort punches well above its weight for nightlife relative to size, with the entire party concentrated along the Kirchgasse promenade where mountain meets village. Unlike larger resorts where you need buses between venues, everything here is walkable, fostering an electric atmosphere where the crowd merges into one continuous celebration. The typical crowd skews younger (25-40), with a strong international mix of Germans, Dutch, British, and Austrians. Austrians bring the authentic Gemütlichkeit and beer-hall mentality, while international guests add cosmopolitan flair. The party starts early—really early by alpine standards—with mountain bars firing up by 2pm and the village scene peaking between 5pm and 9pm before moving to clubs. Late December through early January and February half-term see the busiest, most energetic crowds, while January (excluding holidays) offers a mellower but more authentic local experience.

Complete Bar Guide

Schneehas'n
mountain-bar €€

The quintessential Obertauern mountain experience, perched right at the Gmundnerberg lift station. This wooden chalet-style bar draws crowds with its massive sun terrace overlooking the slopes. The atmosphere is authentically Austrian—think ski boots by the fire,dirndl-clad staff, and oompah music that gets progressively rowdier as the afternoon wears on. It's the ultimate first-stop après location where skiers pile in straight off the mountain. The crowd is mixed: everyone from first-timers to seasoned regulars. Gets absolutely packed between 3pm and 5pm, so arrive early to secure a spot. The outdoor fire pits are legendary for warming up between drinks.

Signature Jägertee (Obstler version) and Heiße Zitrone with Schnapps
Best Time 2pm-5pm, ideal for first-day arrivals or when you want the classic experience
Insider Tip Ask for the 'Schneehas'n Special'—they mix Jägertee with a shot of regional Zirbenlikör that isn't on the menu. Sit near the fireplace inside, not on the terrace, for the real party atmosphere.
Kuhstall
mountain-bar €€

Located mid-mountain at the Zehnerkar chairlift, Kuhstall is the more rugged, alternative cousin to Obertauern's polished venues. The interior is authentically rustic—dark wood, antler mounts, and a central bar made from an old ski lift mechanism. This is where serious skiers and locals gravitate, offering a more laid-back vibe than the tourist-heavy slope bars. The DJ starts spinning around 3pm, blending Austrian hits with international dance tracks. The crowd thins out earlier than village bars, making it perfect for those who want quality conversation rather than chaos.

Signature Wachauer Weinschorle and Hausgemachter Kräuterschnaps
Best Time 2pm-6pm for a relaxed, less-crowded experience
Insider Tip The Kräuterschnaps is made from a local recipe—ask nicely and the bartender might show you the bottle collection. Best accessed on your last run before heading down.
Lürzer
village-bar €€€

The flagship après-ski venue in Obertauern's village center, Lürzer anchors the Kirchgasse strip with its multi-level layout and famous outdoor terrace. The ground floor is standing-room only with high tables, while the upper level offers table service in a slightly more refined setting. The music escalates from après hits to full DJ sets as evening progresses, with the crowd spilling onto the street. This is where the party truly starts—the energy is infectious and it's nearly impossible not to make new friends. Popular with groups and bachelor/bachelorette parties.

Signature Lürzer Radler (beer with grapefruit soda, house signature) and Alpine Mule
Best Time 5pm-9pm for the main après scene, then stay for the transition to club
Insider Tip Get there by 5pm to claim a table upstairs—once they're gone, you're standing. The Alpine Mule comes in a copper mug and is significantly stronger than it tastes.
MooserWirt
village-bar €€

The original Obertauern institution that helped define the resort's party reputation. This massive venue packs hundreds of people into its multiple rooms, each with different music vibes. The main hall feels like an alpine beer hall crossed with a nightclub—with long communal tables, DJ booths built into the walls, and a ceiling that seems to float under the weight of all the ski gear hanging from it. The back room is slightly more intimate with live music on certain nights. It's loud, it's crowded, it's unapologetically Austrian, and it's absolutely essential to experience at least once.

Signature Stiegl Export in massive glass boots and Kümmel shots
Best Time 6pm-11pm for peak energy, Thursday-Saturday for live music
Insider Tip The 'ski boot' glasses are iconic—finish it and you get your photo on the wall. The back room (hint: look for the cowboy hat door) has completely different music and is less touristy.
Club Forty
club €€€

Obertauern's primary late-night destination, open until the early morning hours when other bars have closed. The dance floor is large and draws a proper club crowd—thumping electronic music, professional DJs, and serious dancers. The venue spans multiple levels with VIP areas and a more upscale feel than the rowdy après-ski bars. It's the place to continue when you've had enough beer-hall atmosphere and want proper clubbing. Door policy can be strict on busy nights, so dress decently and arrive before 11pm. Gets busiest around midnight.

Signature Vodka Red Bull and Premium Gin & Tonics
Best Time 11pm-3am, especially Friday and Saturday nights
Insider Tip Skip the queue by entering through the restaurant side door if you know someone, or arrive before 10:30pm when it's still quiet. Tuesday is locals' night with reduced cover.
Weinstein
wine-bar €€€

A sophisticated anomaly in Obertauern's otherwise raucous scene—a proper wine bar with an elegant alpine-chic interior. Exposed stone walls, low lighting, and an impressive wine list featuring Austrian producers alongside international selections. This is where to go when you want to escape the ski-boot-wearing crowds and have an actual conversation. The food menu is excellent too, focusing on alpine tapas and Austrian cold cuts. Popular with couples and older visitors seeking refinement. The owner is a passionate sommelier who will happily guide you through the wine list.

Signature Grüner Veltliner by the glass and house wine spritzers
Best Time 7pm-10pm for a pre-dinner drink or quiet evening
Insider Tip Ask about the 'Weinstein Tasting Flight'—a rotating selection of four Austrian wines that changes weekly. They also stock rare Grüner Veltliners you won't find elsewhere.

Prices & Value

Obertauern sits in the middle ground for Austrian ski resort pricing—more affordable than St. Anton or Kitzbühel but noticeably pricier than lesser-known resorts. The concentrated village layout means competition keeps prices relatively consistent along the Kirchgasse, though happy hour deals exist if you know where to look.

Beer
Draft Stiegl/Gösser: €4.50-€5.50 (ski bar) / €5-€6 (village bar)
Wine
House wine: €4-€5 per glass; Premium Austrian: €6-€9 per glass
Cocktail
Standard cocktails: €10-€13; Premium/signature: €13-€16

How it compares: Comparable to Ischgl but about 15-20% cheaper. Significantly cheaper than Swiss resorts (Zermatt, St. Moritz) where expect to pay double. On par with Saalbach-Hinterglemm and roughly equal to Ischgl's budget options. More expensive than French resorts like Val d'Isère but offering more authentic Austrian atmosphere.

Where locals drink: Locals and in-the-know visitors head to smaller venues off the main strip, particularly the Tenne (behind the church) and various hotel bars that allow outside visitors. Hotel bars often have better prices and fewer tourists. TheInterspar supermarket in town has decent wine from €5-€8 for pre-drinking.

Perfect Après Itineraries

🎉 The Classic Route

Start at Schneehas'n at 3pm for your first slope-side drink with those iconic mountain views. Ski down to the village by 4:30pm and hit Lürzer on Kirchgasse for the main après-ski energy (5-7pm). Move to MooserWirt around 7:30pm for the beer-hall experience and live music if available. Bar-hop along Kirchgasse until 10pm, then transition to Club Forty around 11pm for serious dancing. Finish with a final drink at any venue still open around 2am—most stay open until the last customer leaves.

💰 Budget-Friendly

Pre-game with drinks bought from the supermarket (Interspar) before heading out. Start at Kuhstall mountain bar (slightly cheaper than tourist traps) around 3pm. Head to the smaller venues away from Kirchgasse—look for Hotel bars that welcome outside guests. Skip the clubs entirely (cover charges add up) and stick to bars with no entry fee. Round off the night with €2.50 döner from the late-night stand rather than expensive bar snacks.

✨ Upscale Evening

Begin with afternoon drinks at Weinstein wine bar around 6pm for sophisticated Austrian wines and tapas. Progress to dinner at a quality restaurant (Restaurant your first choice—book ahead). Post-dinner drinks back at Weinstein or the piano bar at Hotel Austria for cocktails. If dancing is desired, Club Forty offers the most upscale club experience with VIP table service. Finish with a nightcap at the hotel bar—many luxury hotels have excellent cocktail programs open to non-guests.

Local Secrets

  • The 'Zirbenstube' at Hotel Austria stocks Zirbenlikör (pine liqueur) that's made on premises—you can only get it there, and they sometimes offer mini tastings if you ask nicely.
  • Every Wednesday during season, hotel bars from G opener to Berger's host an informal 'Freiwirtschaft' (free drink exchange) where bartenders trade shifts and prices drop significantly.
  • The tiny bar behind the Catholic church (look for the small wooden door) is where Austrian instructors and seasonaire workers actually drink—significantly cheaper and no tourist crowds.
  • If you ask for 'Kernbeißer' at any bar, they'll pour a secret house-made fruit brandy that's not on any menu—typically €3-€4 for a generous shot.
  • The best Happy Hour isn't at the obvious bars—head to the small aprè-ski tent near the ski school meeting point between 4pm-5pm for half-price drinks and the locals-only atmosphere.

Quick Price Check

Pint of Beer (Mountain) €7

On-slope bar, standard lager

Pint of Beer (Village) €5

Village bar, evening drink

Glass of Wine €6

House wine, restaurant

Coffee €3

Espresso or cappuccino

Mountain Lunch €19

Main course + drink, on-slope

Evening Meal €38

Two courses + drink, mid-range restaurant

How Does Obertauern Compare?

Item Obertauern Austria Avg Alps Avg
Pint on mountain €7 €7 €7
Mountain lunch €19 €18 €22
Evening meal €38 €33 €45

The Après Scene

Our Take

Obertauern has solid après options without being overwhelming. A good mix of mountain bars and village spots, reasonable prices by resort standards. You can have a good time without breaking the bank.

Where to Drink

Money-Saving Tips

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