Après-Ski / Nightlife

Most bars get hopping about an hour before the lifts close. They are packed till around 7 p.m. or 10 p.m. when everyone seems to leave to eat. Discos open around 10 p.m. and usually close at 4 a.m. on the dot.

Après-ski is wild in Mayrhofen. The Ice Bar and Nikki’s Schirmbar are the two places to be for skiers right after coming off the slopes. The Ice Bar claims to serve more Grolsch beer than any other bar in Europe. Nikki’s Schirmbar watering hole with loud music, just across the river along Ahornstrasse. Expect to see skiers dancing on tables in their boots. The fun starts around 3:30 p.m. If you’re looking for a specialty drink, avoid the main bar (under the umbrella) and head to the side bar where Schnapps Shots (say that three times fast) in edible wafer shot-glasses are prepared for around €1. Don’t forget the napkin!

Snowboarders congregate at Scotland Yard (Scotti to the locals). This is a British-style pub complete with an operating British phone booth. The selection of on-tap beers is extensive. It gets packed. Later in the evening many of the snowboarders wander down to the Apropos Bar.

If looking for something a bit more sedate, head to Mo’s Esscafe & Musikroom right on the main drag, or try the Happy End which serves good wines.

There are two discos in town -- the Sports Arena Disco (6705) and Schlüsselalm (62232). Cover charges can vary from€1–€1.50.

Sporthotel Strass (6705) serves more reasonably priced drinks and features excellent après-ski entertainment. The crowd packs the inside and outdoor bars. It’s a madhouse. After 9:30 p.m. it’s an unbelievably crowded madhouse, even on weekdays.

From what we’ve heard, the new White Lounge near the Mayrhofen cable car will be one of the hottest hangouts for the 2007/08 season. It’s a six-meter tall ice cave which houses a bar.

In Hintertux, try the Batzenkeller, the Almbar, the Nostalschi Bar in the Hotel Berghof (photo above), or the Papperla-Pub.