St. Anton is ever-present on the map of Alpine resorts in which you can find a party. Soaring in popularity over the past few years, it’s the combination of world-class après ski which seemingly smoothly runs into evening entertainment and nightlife that means that St. Anton more than holds its own against any other resort.

This is full-blown beer swigging, table-thumping, disco-beat dancing until 8pm, just in time for dinner back at the chalet! Whilst Val d’Isère is home to the mighty La Folie Douce and Cocorico’s and Méribel; La Folie Douce and The Ronnie, it falls short in my opinion to St. Anton. First things first, if a big ski day ensues or one gets distracted over a long lunch, by the time you head to après in France, it’s 3:00pm and there are just a couple of hours left before La Folie Douce shuts up shop. This is not the case in St. Anton where the music keeps playing and the atmosphere builds to a crescendo for around 7:30pm, perfect timing to head back to your chalet, freshen up and enjoy gourmet delights.

The sheer number of opportunities around St. Anton is also impressive to say the least, you’ve got live music and perhaps the more wholesome Murrmel, Tom Dooley’s and Underground on the piste. You’ve got the middle-ground in terms of Basecamp and FangBar (both situated next to a gondola, the former by the Galzigbahn, the latter by Nassereinbahn.) And then you’ve got the full on fist pumping prowess of Krazy Kangaruh, Taps, Heustadl and The Mooserwirt. Mooserwirt is rumoured to sell more beer in the five months that it is open for, than any other bar in Austria does in a 12 month period, when you experience the bar staff carrying trays laden with beers and Jagermeister that must require some serious gym work to support, it’s not such a surprise anymore!

Alongside this there’s the nightlife, when the après ski has been put to bed for yet another afternoon, St. Anton refuses to do the same. Again a full array of opportunities present themselves, from the seasonaire haunts of Bar Cuba and Scotty’s, to the more sophisticated cocktails found at Pete, and the late-night options in Bobo’s and Horny Bull, whatever your preference, keeping up requires some serious stamina!

So how should you know where to go, what you can’t miss and what might be worth leaving for next time? Below you will find a selection of some of my top recommendations to make the most of your time in St. Anton, just don’t forget you’re there to ski! There’s one golden rule to stick to – if you’re out partying and it starts snowing heavily, it’s time to go home – tomorrow’s a powder day!

Après ski:
Mooserwirt:
Laying claim to a silly amount of drinks being served throughout the winter season, Mooserwirt is the ultimate Europop experience, a massive hit with the continentals when visiting St. Anton. With large outdoor piste-side space and bar and huge converted barn interior, there’s plenty of space (albeit tight sometimes) come snow or shine. As the clock passes 4pm you can expect the lights to drop, strobe lights to come out and an array of 80s throwback tunes mixed in with some classic Austrian après ski hits and modern chart music.

Krazy Kangaruh:
Owned by the olympic gold medalist, Austrian born, Mario Matt, Krazy Kangaruh is as lively as they come, when Mario brought home gold for Austria in the slalom in 2014, there was certainly a party to be had. Don’t fret though, everyday throughout the season Krazy Kangaruh is transformed from a pleasant yet lively lunch spot with large terrace looking across St. Anton into its wilder counterpart. As the sun sets over St. Anton the music is turned up, attracting a slightly younger (and more mixed) crowd than Mooserwirt which is just across the piste. Expect dancing on tables in ski boots, plenty of chilled jagermeister and normally an outing or two for a throwback song like the Baywatch theme tune. After you have had your fill of fun, it is just a short ski down into town, opinions are divided as to whether Taps, Krazy Kangaruh or Mooserwirt is the best, but they all provide a lively afternoon’s entertainment.

Taps:
Perhaps underrated by some, Taps sits just behind Krazy Kangaruh meaning that it can be a somewhat lethal mix when you just pop between the two and get drawn in for an hour or so at a time. With huge sun terrace, it’s the perfect spot for a relaxed start to après ski in the spring months, but when the time comes and things move inside you can expect just as much table-dancing and schnapps drinking as you’ll find at neighbouring KKs. Popular with locals and ski instructors, make sure you don’t forget to pop your head in at least once, you might find you prefer it to the aforementioned Mooserwirt and KKs.

Basecamp:
If strapping skis back on after a few drinks isn’t something you’re too keen on (and we don’t blame you), then Basecamp is a great option, situated at the bottom of the homerun near to the Gampen and Galzig lifts. On the above note, you can get the ski bus back down from near to Taps, Krazy Kangaruh and Mooserwirt which is perhaps the more sensible option! Basecamp isn’t quite as lively as the above three bars but it’s got a fun atmosphere, often with live music, covered outdoor seating with heaters and is a little more family-friendly! You will often find grandparents, parents and children, a spread of three generations enjoying the atmosphere and adults enjoying a glühwein.

Underground on the piste:
Located on the opposite side of the Galzigbahn lift from Basecamp, just at the bottom of the homerun, Underground on the piste is lively in a different way. There’s no DJ Gerhard as there is in the Mooserwirt, instead you’ll find foot thumping acoustic music with a rocky feel playing out as live musicians impress and entertain. Accompanied by a range of good food on offer, it’s more akin to sitting in someone’s front room listening to live music than the raucous alternatives up the mountain.

Murrmel:
Murrmel Bar is situated at one end of the pedestrianised high street in St. Anton and harmoniously transitions through live music in the afternoons with a more relaxed glass of wine than the options above, to wine bar-come club in the evenings. A little more expensive and a touch more sophisticated than most, it’s sometimes a welcome respite if after a few days of partying on the mountain you want something more low-key.

Nightlife:
Bar Cuba:
Bar Cuba needs no introduction for many, it’s firmly planted in the cheap and cheerful camp, but offers foosball and a buzzing atmosphere until about 1am most nights – a popular seasonaire haunt. As a side note if you want to watch the football or Six Nations whilst away, Bar Cuba is the place to be, although make sure to get there in plenty of time – as it can get busy!

Scotty’s:
Scotty’s Pizzeria and Bar is found just off of the high street about halfway down, seen as almost the perfect accompaniment to Bar Cuba, it’s of a similar ilk with foosball, relatively inexpensive drinks and a young and vibrant atmosphere.

Pub 37:
Reputedly so called because that is its capacity, it’s certainly a tiny little bar that’s as close to a pub as the Austrian’s come, popular with the locals and good for a quieter drink and the opportunity to have a conversation that doesn’t require shouting at each other to hear!

Murmell:
Mentioned above for its offering for après ski, Murmell carries on through the night and has a good vibrancy to it in the evenings, catch it on the right night, head downstairs to the club and you’ll find people partying into the early hours.

Tom Dooley’s:
In my opinion, the best offering from the Nasserein area (apologies to FangBar and Keller Bar), Tom Dooley’s is a lively bar pretty close in feel to being a pub, sometimes with live music, and not far removed from being someone’s front room. There’s something about it that just encapsulates fun, there’s always a good crowd here.

Bobo’s:
Bobo’s can be found almost opposite Bar Cuba and is great option for those who aren’t quite ready to call it a night when Cuba’s doors close as Bobo’s remains open a little later. A mexican restaurant in the evening transforming into a lively bar, popular with locals and karaoke aficionadas, if a fun and lively atmosphere appeals, then Bobo definitely provides.

Anthony’s:
Jack of all trades Anthony’s walks the fine line between restaurant, wine bar and late night spot. Changing from night to night and week to week, it offers something a little different every time you come. Some evenings a glass of wine, comfy seating and a relaxed atmosphere are on offer, occasionally the latest ski film will be playing on a big screen at the front, and once in a while there can be anything from raucous live music complete with saxophonist to a UV party!

Pete’s:
Another option situated right in the middle of town, but on the more sophisticated side of things, Pete’s is a great place to grab lunch or dinner and then while away a few hours enjoying the pleasant ambience complete with a cocktail in hand, when a relaxed evening is all that is wanted, Pete’s is an ideal spot.

Whilst not an exhaustive list of spots to party, or alternatively unwind with a more relaxed ambience, St. Anton definitely has something for everyone, from late night haunts like Horny Bull and Hells Club to the more sophisticated Pete’s and Murrmel, it’s almost rude not to sample a few of St. Anton’s finest whilst making the most of the incredible skiing on offer too! See St. Anton’s finest properties here.