Beer & Après Prices in Grindelwald Village

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The Drinking Culture in Grindelwald Village

Grindelwald's après-ski culture traces its roots to the early 20th century when British mountaineers and Alpine enthusiasts first flocked to this Jungfrau-region village, bringing their pub traditions with them. What makes Grindelwald unique is its remarkable blend of traditional Swiss gemütlichkeit (cozy hospitality) and an unexpecte sly cosmopolitan edge—the village somehow manages to feel both authentically Alpine and internationally sophisticated simultaneously. The drinking culture here revolves around the dramatic mountain backdrop, with conversation naturally flowing around topics like today's run, tomorrow's weather, and the Eiger's ever-changing face. Unlike larger purpose-built resorts, Grindelwald's bars are scattered throughout a working Swiss village, creating a delightful pub-crawl-by-foot through streets with centuries of history. The crowd is refreshingly diverse: you'll find hardcore Swiss skiers in from Interlaken, international seasonaires, British and Australian powder hounds, and families enjoying evening fondue followed by drinks. The best time for nightlife is definitely February during half-term weeks when the village buzzes with energy, though the Christmas and New Year period offers magical atmosphere with decorations and torchlit descents. March skiing often brings better weather and a more relaxed, knowing crowd—locals call it their favourite time for late-afternoon sun on terrace bars.

Complete Bar Guide

The London Bar

village-bar €€

Thislegendary Grindelwald institution has been serving skiers and mountaineers since 1938, its dark wood panels and vintage photographs creating an irresistibly atmospheric time-warp. The bar attracts a wonderfully mixed crowd—from grizzled seasonaire types to wide-eyed first-timers—all drawn by the famous weekly singalong and genuine Alpine warmth. The fireplace crackles in winter, and during summer hiking season the terrace becomes the village's best people-watching spot. Don't miss their extensive rum collection, reportedly one of Switzerland's largest.

Signature Fondue and mulled wine, or the signature 'London Mule' with Swiss spirits

Best Time Late afternoon for pre-dinner drinks, or Tuesday and Saturday evenings for the legendary singalong

Insider Tip Ask the owner for the 'secret menu' of house rum cocktails. If you're lucky, they might show you the original 1938 guestbook.

Apollobar (Hotel Sunstar)

village-bar €€€

Located in the Sunstar Hotel, this sleek, modern bar offers panoramic Eiger views through floor-to-ceiling windows—one of the village's few venues where the mountains feel like your personal cinema. The après-ski crowd here skews slightly more upscale and international, with a relaxed vibe perfect for sophisticated conversation. The cocktails are genuinely excellent, and the bar stays open until 1am for those wanting a longer evening out.

Signature Eiger.views cocktail with Aperol, elderflower, and Swiss alpine herbs

Best Time 4-6pm for golden-hour Eiger views, or 9pm onwards for sophisticated evening drinks

Insider Tip Ask for a table on the terrace side in winter—they heat the lanterns and provide blankets. The bar offers a 'ski guide' complimentary shuttle to nearby slopes.

Bäckerei Gill Hutte

mountain-bar €€

Perched dramatically at the First glacial area, this rustic mountain hut delivers the ultimate Alpine après experience—ski straight to the terrace, boots and all, with the Eiger north face as your backdrop. The sun terrace (when weather cooperates) becomes a joyous celebration of skiing, with live music on weekends and friendly crowds sharing stories of the day's adventures. Inside, the wooden interior crackles with warmth, and the Rösti portions are legendary.

Signature Jägertee (hot spiced rum tea), glühwein, or the famous hot chocolate with Swiss cream

Best Time 3-5pm when the last skiers descend—this is THE quintessential Grindelwald après moment

Insider Tip Book the balcony table in advance by calling from the lift queue. Snow conditions permitting, you can sometimes ski right up to the terrace from the First run.

Cafédu Théâtre

wine-bar €€€

This hidden gem near the parish church offers a completely different Grindelwald—intimate, cultured, and far from the sports-bar scene. The owner is a passionate Swiss wine expert, and the by-the-glass selection showcases excellent Valais and Vaud wines you simply won't find elsewhere. Low lighting, velvet seating, and genuinely upscale small plates make this ideal for a romantic evening or sophisticated catch-up with fellow discerning drinkers.

Signature Any Valais Pinot Noir, or the monthly 'wine discovery' flight

Best Time 7-9pm before dinner, or late evening for quiet conversation

Insider Tip Mention you're interested in Swiss wines—the owner regularly unlocks the 'reserve cellar' for enthusiasts. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

Base Club

club €€

Grindelwald's only true late-night club delivers exactly what the name suggests—raw, bass-heavy dancing until the early hours. The crowd skews younger (20s-30s) and international, with a noticeably more clubbing-focused atmosphere than elsewhere in the village. Weekend DJs spin house, techno, and occasional retro sets. The venue gets genuinely busy around midnight on Saturdays, with a queue forming by 11pm.

Signature Swiss beers and well drinks, 'jungfrau bucket' sharing cocktails

Best Time 11pm-3am on Fridays and Saturdays

Insider Tip Skip the queue by arriving with a group and dressing sharply—the door policy is casual but exists. Watch for occasional 'guest list' nights advertised on their Instagram.

Hotel Post Bar

village-bar €€

This historic hotel bar (the building dates to 1910) offers classic Swiss hotel atmosphere—the kind of place where bankers' bonuses feel earned and elderly couples dance on the hotel's designated evenings. The bar attracts a mature, sophisticated crowd seeking quality over scene. The après-ski here is notably quieter than at more raucous alternatives, perfect for those wanting genuine conversation.

Signature Whisky flights, Swiss Lüberget, or the house gin with Alpine botanicals

Best Time 5-7pm for pre-dinner drinks, or any evening for relaxed sophistication

Insider Tip The hotel hosts weekly 'Swiss evening' events with traditional music—worth attending even if you're not staying. The bar staff have excellent knowledge of local off-piste terrain.

Prices & Value

Grindelwald sits firmly in Switzerland's premium pricing tier, meaning you should budget accordingly—but the quality generally matches the prices. Expect to pay significantly more than in French or Austrian resorts, though locally you'll find better value than in ultra-touristy Zermatt.

Beer

CHF 7-10 (£6.50-£9 / €7-€9) per half-litre in bars, CHF 5-6 from supermarket

Wine

CHF 8-14 per glass (house wines), CHF 45-80+ per bottle in restaurants

Cocktail

CHF 16-24 for standard cocktails, CHF 20-30 for premium/large format

How it compares: Compares to Zermatt but typically 10-15% cheaper for comparable drinks. Significantly more expensive than French resorts (Les Deux Alpes roughly 40% cheaper) and Austrian resorts (about 50% cheaper). Compared to Verbier, prices are roughly equivalent but drinks portions are larger here.

Where locals drink: Locals drink at the Hotel Post bar, the Bäckerei Gill during ski days, and the Cafédu Théâtre for wine. The supermarket Coop sells excellent Swiss wines from CHF 12—significantly better value than restaurant glasses. Many locals bring their own après-ski to the accommodation.

Perfect Après Itineraries

🎉 The Classic Route

Start at Bäckerei Gill Hutte on First mountain around 3:30pm for the essential Alpine experience—ski boots, mountain views, Jägertee. Descend to the village by 5pm and head to The London Bar for atmosphere and fondue until 7:30pm. Move to Apollobar for sophisticated cocktails and Eiger sunset views around 8pm. Finish at Base Club from 11pm until closing—this is the complete Grindelwald après arc.

💰 Budget-Friendly

Pre-drink with supermarket wine (CHF 12-15 for a perfectly drinkable Valais red) in your accommodation starting 6pm. Head to The London Bar only for the Tuesday or Saturday singalong (free entertainment). Alternatively, explore the 'happy hour' at several village hotels between 5-6pm where drinks are discounted. Many bars offer student or hostel discounts—always ask.

✨ Upscale Evening

Begin at Cafédu Théâtre at 7pm for an exceptional Swiss wine flight with artisan cheese and charcuterie (CHF 40-60). Move to Apollobar around 9pm for signature cocktails and the mountain cinema views. End at Hotel Post bar for nightcap whiskies by the fire—they have an exceptional Macallan collection. This circuit will set you back CHF 150+ but delivers sophistication most Alpine resorts can't match.

Local Secrets

• The 'secret' mountain bar near the Pfingstegg toboggan run serves homemade schnapps that never appears on any menu—just ask for 'the good stuff' after 4pm.
• Hotel bars often offer 20% 'early bird' discounts on drinks between 5-6pm—nearly every establishment in the village participates.
• TheCoop supermarket on Austrasse sells Swiss craft beers from CHF 4.50 and acceptable wines from CHF 12—the smartest way to pre-drink.
• Base Club offers free entry before midnight on most nights—arrive early and avoid the CHF 15 cover charge that kicks in at peak time.
• The restaurant 'Möri' offers complimentary glühwein to anyone who arrives on ski touring gear—word is they're testing a winter 'après' concept and keeping it quiet.

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How Does Grindelwald Village Compare?

The Après Scene

Where to Drink

• Hennu Stall — Mountain terrace with views
• Papperla Pub — Irish-Swiss fusion, late opening

Money-Saving Tips

• Drink at village bars rather than on-mountain - typically 20-30% cheaper
• Buy beer from supermarkets for accommodation pre-drinks
• Avoid table service at busy après spots - bar prices are lower
• Happy hour deals often run 4-6pm in village bars
• Cross border to France or Italy for significantly cheaper drinks