Beer & Après Prices in Vars

Perched right at the Varspeed cable car arrival point, this quintessential on-slope bar serves as the unofficial launching pad for afternoon adventures. The mammoth wooden deck offers spectacular views of the Rocher de la Parès summit, and the spontaneous accordion sessions that erupt on sunny afternoons are the stuff of legend. Inside, taxidermy ibex and vintage ski equipment cover the timbered walls while a massive stone fireplace crackles. The crowd is international, mixed ages, and uniformly friendly—perfect for breaking the ice with strangers.

This is arguably the most consistently lively spot in lower Vars, with a decades-long reputation as the place where ski instructors and seasonaires gather after their workday ends. The industrial-chic interior—exposed brick, reclaimed lift chairs as booths—feels authentically mountain without trying too hard. The crowd is a mix of hospitality workers letting off steam, regulars who know everyone by first name, and curious tourists who wandered in looking for authentic atmosphere.

The oldest continuously operating bar in Vars, this establishment has been浇灌ing the same stone floor since 1962. The antique photographs, worn leather banquettes, and permanently slightly-hoarse TV showing perpetual sports create an atmosphere that's simultaneously pub and living room. Locals dominate here, making it perfect for anyone wanting to escape the more touristy scenes. The owner, Michel, has been pouring drinks since 1987 and remembers virtually every regular's first job.

Vars's late-night offering packs into a surprisingly intimate space with a DJ booth fashioned from an old teleskiphone booth. The crowd here is younger (20s-30s predominantly), dressed in the resort's version of 'dressed up' (clean ski boots accepted), and fully committed to dancing until the 3am close. The music spans French pop hits that everyone knows, to house and techno that keeps the floor packed. Unlike bigger resorts, the cover charge is minimal and drinks remain reasonably priced.

For those seeking sophistication above shots, this vaulted-cellar-turned-wine-bar offers a dramatically different experience from typical resort drinking. The owner Sophie curates an impressive selection of regional wines (lots of Savoie, some Burgundy) alongside a thoughtful food menu of cheese and charcuterie boards. Candlelit tables, exposed Alpine stone, and jazz playing softly create an atmosphere that wouldn't be out of place in Lyon or Paris—except you're in ski boots, which everyone accepts.

A newer addition to the Vars scene, this slope-side bar at the Sainte-Marie drag lift exit has quickly established itself as the chic alternative to its more raucous competitors. The minimalist Alpine design—warm wood, huge windows, curated vintage furniture—attracts an Instagram-conscious crowd who appreciate aesthetics as much as avancements. The cocktail program here is genuinely impressive for a mountain resort, with real fresh-squeezed juices and house-made syrups.