Zell am See is known for its pretty lakeside location
Zell am See is certainly one of the main Austrian ski resorts, but its après scene is on the chiller side, compared to other places like Ischgl, St Anton and Sölden.
Dating well back to the 8th Century, it’s a pretty resort right on the edge of the Zeller Lake (See means ‘lake’ in German, and they capitalise all their nouns!). It had primarily religious origins, before turning into a market town, and then a tourist town.
A great skiing destination for all (particularly families), you can enjoy a great selection of après-ski and nightlife, with live music, DJs and plenty of opportunity for dancing - or indeed (if kids are in tow) a quiet drink somewhere family-friendly.
If you’re after somewhere seriously lively though, have a look at our pick of the best après-ski resorts. Zell am See isn’t bad, but it’s no match for places like Mayrhofen or St Anton.
READ MORE: If you're keen on a lively French resort, then why not have a look at Tignes's après ski and nightlife.
Our must-visit après-ski bars and nightlife hotspots in Zell am See are:
1. SchnapsHans Bar
2. Parasol Schirmbar
3. Villa Crazy Daisy
4. Insider
5. Greens
6. Off-Piste Bar
7. Pinzgauer Diele
8. Murray's Irish Bar
9. Ginhouse
10. Cabrio Apres-Ski Bar
11. Areit Lounge
The best bars for mountain partying
- SchnapsHans Bar
- Après-Ski-Bar Cabrio
- Parasol Schirmbar
Located next to the Schmittenhöhe Cable Car, SchnapsHans Bar is part of the Berghotel and has a huge outdoor terrace where dancing is encouraged.
As the afternoon presses on, the atmosphere gets more excitable and the live music cranks up to bring an irresistible end to the day’s skiing. Then just hop on the cable car back home, or ski back down into town if you’re sober enough.
Meanwhile, the Après-Ski-Bar-Cabrio has a live band on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6pm every week, and is located at the bottom of the Arietbahn.
The Parasol Schirmbar is nestled at 2,000m in front of the Alpincentre - the huge building where several gondolas converge. It’s got a big sun terrace, with music and an après atmosphere encouraged from mid-afternoon onwards.
The best bar for a relaxed drink among the slopes
The Areit Lounge is a chilled restaurant and bar with stunning panoramic views. Located next to the areitXpress lift station, it’s a more relaxed version of the Cabrio Bar mentioned above.
There’s also a fireplace and the odd bit of live music, making it a lovely place to have a break.
Best bar for live music
This place is a very popular choice - you’re unlikely to not find it bustling. It’s got a sun terrace with gorgeous views of Lake Zell and its stunning mountainous backdrop, while inside there are three floors.
The bottom floor has the “Crazy Daisy” stage which hosts a different band every single day in the winter. The next two floors up are filled with tables, where you can eat, drink and enjoy yourself. There’s also a roof terrace with heaters and blankets.
Villa Crazy Daisy gets very busy, so get here early or book in advance.
The Villa Crazy Daisy certainly lives up to its name!
The best bars for a lively evening
Insider Bar is a small and cosy place with neon disco lighting that is usually fairly busy and has a good atmosphere. It’s also got a sun terrace outside.
Meanwhile, Greens is a double-edged sword. It’s got the Pub upstairs, which has a cosier atmosphere and also puts on regular live music.
After a certain time, people might start shifting downstairs to the Greens XL, which is the vaults where you’ll feel like you’re in a nightclub. It’s got lovely cocktails and lively dance music, meaning you’ll be cutting shapes all night.
Best nightclubs for partying 'til the early hours
- Greens XL
- Off-Piste Bar
- Pinzgauer Diele
As we’ve just mentioned, Greens XL is an extension of the Greens Pub above, and is essentially a club with dance music, a huge bar… and an electric atmosphere.
The Off-Piste Bar, meanwhile, is the place to go after 8pm, with live music and drinks offers until midnight - before it then opens its nightclub which is open until 3am. In here there are DJs mixing a variety of songs, from those in the 80s right through to modern hits.
Pinzgauer Diele, meanwhile, is a burger and pizza place by day, before it later pushes the tables aside and welcomes people onto the dance floor until the early hours.
READ MORE: Has Zell am See got your attention? Read all the top reasons why it's a great resort to visit.
Best bar for watching sport
This place is another establishment which puts on live music during the week, although it also mixes things up with a weekly pub quiz and a good effort in putting on the sport on TV. They’ve got a lovely screen which you can catch all the important action on.
Best place for a quiet drink in town
The Ginhouse is a pub and bar which serves 1,001 gins - making it one of the world’s largest collections. It’s a very cool place to investigate, and if you don’t like gin then there’s still plenty of beer, wine and cocktails available.
You shouldn’t struggle to find a quiet place for a drink or some food in Zell am See. It’s got a quaint atmosphere anyway, with a beautiful lake to set the tone.
Discover the Zell am See après scene with Iglu Ski
If Zell am See sounds like it could be the resort for you, then let us help you organise the perfect trip.
We’re the UK’s largest ski travel agency with 26+ years of experience behind us. Our ski-crazy staff have all done seasons in the mountains, so we really know what we’re talking about.
Call us on 020 3848 3700 for advice on which resort to visit, what type of accommodation to stay in, and any useful extra tips. Alternatively, send us an enquiry and we’ll get back to you. Have a look at our best Zell am See ski deals - if you like them, you can also book online.
Meanwhile, if you’ve been put in charge of booking for a large group, have a read of our group booking guide - it’ll put you in the right direction.
Find out what the après and nightlife scene is like in other resorts:
