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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:
4. Insider
5. Greens
8. Ginhouse
10. Areit Lounge
The best bars for mountain partying
- SchnapsHans Bar
- Cabrio Après Ski Bar
- Parasol Schirmbar
Located right next to the Schmittenhöhe Cable Car, SchnapsHans Bar is part of the Berghotel and features a huge outdoor terrace where dancing in your ski boots is heavily encouraged. As the afternoon presses on – things usually kick off here around 3 pm – the atmosphere gets incredibly excitable, and the live music cranks up to bring an irresistible end to the day's skiing.
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.
Our Take: "This is a legendary mountain-top institution and easily one of the best party experiences for a group of friends. Because it's up high, you have to consider how to get back down to the main town; luckily, you can just hop on the cable car to descend safely, or ski back down if you've only had one!"
Located at the bottom of the Areitbahn lift, Après-Ski-Bar-Cabrio is perfect for those who want to transition straight from the snow to the bar. It features a live band on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 pm to 6 pm every week.
Our take: "Being right by the main lifts makes this incredibly convenient. The live music sessions are fantastic, and it’s a brilliant spot to gather the group at the end of the day before deciding where the night will take you."
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.
Our take: "You simply can’t visit Austria without having the classic 'Schirmbar' experience. It offers a stunning vantage point, and getting a round of drinks here offers surprisingly good value for a high-altitude venue."
The best bar for a relaxed drink among the slopes
- Areit Lounge
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.
Our take: If you’re looking for family-friendly après-ski options, this is our top pick. It provides a peaceful atmosphere where you can enjoy excellent food without the booming bass found elsewhere, making it ideal for parents wanting a relaxed drink with kids in tow.
Best bar for live music
- Villa Crazy Daisy
Villa Crazy Daisy is one of the most famous late-night venues in Zell am See. There's 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.
Our take: Crazy Daisy is famous for a reason. It perfectly blends a vibrant, lively atmosphere with some of the highest-rated après-ski food in town. It gets incredibly busy, so we highly recommend reserving a table or booking an event package online in advance if you're travelling with a large group of friends.
The best bars for a lively evening
- Insider
- Greens
Insider Bar is a small and cosy place with neon disco lighting that is usually fairly busy and has a good atmosphere. There's a nice sun terrace outside for afternoon drinks, but you can stick around and party until 2am.
Our take: "The perfect transition bar, Insider bridges the gap perfectly between the afternoon drinks and the late-night clubbing, with a friendly, lively crowd."
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 (cocktail happy hour is 8-10pm) and lively dance music, so you're sure to be cutting shapes until close at 4am.
Our take: "Sure to be recommended if you ask someone in the know, Greens XL is one of the most famous après-ski clubs in Zell am See. If you're looking for a genuine clubbing experience that runs late into the night, this is exactly where you want to be."
Best nightclubs for partying 'til the early hours
- Greens XL
- 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.
By day and early evening, Pinzgauer Diele is a fantastic spot serving up highly-rated burgers and pizzas. But as the night progresses, the tables are pushed aside, and the space transforms into a bustling dance floor that keeps going until the early hours.
Our take: "We love a venue that can do both. It’s the perfect place to fuel up with some great, hearty food before seamlessly rolling straight into a lively après party without ever having to step outside into the cold."
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
- Murray's Irish Bar
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 makes an effort to show as much live sport as possible on the TV. They’ve got a lovely screen which you can catch all the important action on.
Our take: "Every ski resort needs a great Irish pub, and Murray's absolutely delivers. It’s unpretentious, reasonably priced, and the perfect casual hangout for a group of friends who don't want to miss the weekend's football or rugby fixtures."
Best place for a quiet drink in town
- Ginhouse
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.
Our take: "If you want to escape the excesses of the main après trail, this is our favourite sanctuary. It offers a sophisticated, quiet atmosphere that is perfect for couples or anyone wanting a relaxed chat over a beautifully crafted drink."
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:
- 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.