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Les Arcs is part of one of France’s biggest ski areas, the Paradiski, and it offers quick access to more than 425km of slopes, which it shares with neighbouring La Plagne.
The Paradiski is hugely popular for our customers, and Les Arcs is definitely livelier than La Plagne’s après-ski and nightlife - although it’s certainly not bad over there!
That’s not to say you can’t find more peaceful spots too - Les Arcs is a huge resort and has 6 different villages, each with a slightly different feel.
The liveliest of them are Les Arcs 1800, Les Arcs 2000 and Les Arcs 1950 - the number refers to the metres in altitude. If your trip is going to revolve around going out, don’t stay in Les Arcs 1600, Villaroger or Peisey-Vallandry!
Les Arcs 1800 is typically where the cheaper bars are, with Les Arcs 1950 slightly more upmarket, and Les Arcs 2000 a bit of a mixture.
Keep reading for our top picks on bars and nightlife - and remember, there will be plenty more that haven’t quite made our list!
READ MORE: If you're keen on something a bit more exciting, then look no further than St Anton's après ski and nightlife.
Our must-visit après ski bars and nightlife hotspots in Les Arcs are:
1. L'Arpette
2. Folie Douce
3. Chalet de Luigi
4. O'Chaud Lounge
5. Red Hot Saloon
6. Igloo Village
7. Bowling Arc 2000
8. Jungle Cafe
9. Red Rock Cafe
10. Club 1950
11. The Apokalypse
12. Wool Socks Pub
13. Hotel du Golf
Best bars for mountain partying
- L'Arpette
- Folie Douce
The classic après picture of dancing on tables high up in the mountains is definitely an option in Les Arcs.
L’Arpette was recently renovated and puts on live music and DJ sets every day of the season, from 2pm onwards. It’s one of the go-to spots in Les Arcs, with a south-facing terrace and truly spectacular views of the mountains. It also doubles up as a lunch restaurant before the carnage kicks off.
You can find it at the bottom of the Arpette 2 blue slope or the Snow Park 17. It’s half way between Les Arcs 1600 and Les Arcs 1800, but slightly higher than both.
Meanwhile, the Folie Douce (top picture) is a household après name in France, and the magic is in full swing in Les Arcs.
Expect live music, DJ sets, dancers and performers all contributing to an electric atmosphere where you’ll be dancing on tables and wishing the sun stays up.
You can find it at the top of the Villards gondola or the Dahu cable car, just up from Les Arcs 1800. The last lift back is at 5:30pm on Villards or 8:15pm on Dahu - or you can ski down if you’re in a good enough state.
Unlike most Folie Douces, this one stays open until 7pm (8pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) thanks to the Dahu cable car operating late.
Best bars for live music
- Chalet de Luigi
- O’Chaud Lounge
- Red Hot Saloon
The Chalet de Luigi is a beautiful restaurant in Les Arcs 1950 with a sun-soaked, south-facing terrace that serves up incredible lunches - but once it hits 3pm, the atmosphere cranks up and an après party begins.
It slowly fills up as the live music, DJs and discos entertain people. There’s also the same type of fun inside, and they’ve got a basement club downstairs - more on that later.
Meanwhile, O’Chaud Lounge in Les Arcs 1950 is a modern type of bar with good food and drinks - and plenty of music. It’s more of a club vibe in the evenings, with lots of DJs interspersed with live saxophone players - you can expect to be dancing until 3am!
Down in Les Arcs 1800, Red Hot Saloon is a very popular spot that puts on live bands. It’s got a big dance floor and also has DJs playing when the bands aren’t there.
Best bars for a unique experience
- Igloo Village
- Bowling Arc 2000
Up in Les Arcs 2000 near the Arcabulle chairlift, you can experience a drink (and food and a night’s accommodation if you really like it!) inside a proper igloo at the Igloo Village.
It’s not a party atmosphere and it welcomes families, but it’s certainly an interesting place to tick off for a post-ski pint.
Meanwhile, the Bowling Arc 2000 is a great shout if you want to do an activity. It’s got 8 bowling lanes, as well as billiards and pool, a games room, TV screens showing live sport - and of course a bar which does the usual beers as well as fancy cocktails, shooters and food.
More bars for keeping the night going
- Jungle Cafe
- Red Rock Cafe
In lively Les Arcs 1800, the Jungle Cafe matches the energy. Its interior is designed like a jungle with spectacular murals all over the walls. It’s open ‘til 1am and is a fairly cheap one - attracting locals and a lot of seasonaires.
American-themed Red Rock Cafe in Les Arcs 2000 is also a good shout. Open ‘til 2am, they do great comfort food - think XL burgers, pizzas etc - and serve drinks and special cocktails right until closure. The food stops at 10:45pm.
Best nightclubs for partying 'til the early hours
- Club 1950
- The Apokalypse
Club 1950 is the basement party spot inside the Chalet de Luigi, just down from the main square in Les Arcs 1950. Shutting at 2am, there’s a dance floor down here where DJs pump the tunes.
The Apokalypse is found in Les Arcs 1800, and is by far the biggest nightclub in the whole of Les Arcs, with 3 floors. It’s open most days from 11pm until 6am and is the obvious choice if you’re after a proper deep night session.
Best Irish Bar
- Wool Socks Pub
Based in Les Arcs 1950 and previously known as ‘Les Belle Pintes’, this cosy Irish pub describes itself as a “festive and warm place” and is open from 11am to midnight. It puts on nice food (and drinks, obviously), has a snooker table, and is decorated with sofas, cushions and lamps.
They sometimes welcome live music - anything from one man with a guitar to a full on band - but it’s always a comfortable occasion.
Best bars for watching live sport
- Chalet de Luigi
- Wool Socks Pub
Both of these have been mentioned in far more detail earlier, but it’s worth also mentioning that they’re reliable venues for getting the football or cricket (or anything else) on TV.
Best bar for something a bit more relaxed
- Hotel du Golf
The Hotel du Golf is a popular accommodation choice in Les Arcs 1800 which is home to the Deep Nature Spa and various kids’ clubs - and it also has a lovely jazz bar which anyone can pop into and relax in with a drink.
Remember, there will be lots more quiet bars and pubs where you can grab a drink!
Have a blast in Les Arcs yourself!
If Les Arcs’s après-ski has got you dreaming of the mountains already, then let us help you secure your dream ski holiday.
We���re the UK’s largest ski travel agency and we’ve been in the game for more than 26 years. Our team full of ski experts (who have all done seasons) can help advise you on anything skiing - resorts, accommodations, ski extras or whatever may be on your mind.
Have a look at our best Les Arcs ski holiday deals. You can book online or get in touch, and we’ll answer whatever questions you may have. Have a look at our tailor-made ski holidays option, too, if nothing quite suits what you need.
And if you’ve been put in charge of booking for a group, then have a look at our group booking guide - it might just put you in the right direction.
Find out what the après and nightlife scene is like in other resorts:
- Best après bars and nightlife hotspots in Val Thorens.
- Best après bars and nightlife hotspots in La Plagne.
- Best après bars and nightlife hotspots in Méribel.