Alpe d'Huez Apres Ski Report: 17th March 2011
As many of my Apres weeks do, this one started and ended with a full English breakfast at one of my favourite haunts Rendez-Vous up on the Rue De Le Meije. The food up there is fantastic and the guys have done a great job of turning the place into a regular hangout for seasonnaires and holidaymakers alike.
Thursday evening was spent in Pacific Pub watching the football on their big screen television as the English teams did their bit in the Champion's League, allowing me to save face amongst my French friends here in resort, O-bar's spurs fanatic Vito is I'm sure one of the happiest men on the planet right now.
Friday was another cocktail extravaganza in Smithy's Tavern with Mojitos the order of the week. So I spent most of my evening crushing ice and muddling limes, but everyone else appeared to be having a great time as the action around the baby foot table hotted up with some serious looking competition preparing for the big Baby Foot Tournament, which takes place in the Tavern every Sunday.
The 6 nations is also a big event here in the alps and many a bar is rammed with rowdy rugby supporters following their team, so this weekend was a good one for spending sat in front of a jug of happy hour lager and a big screen. My chosen place for the big England Vs Scotland match was Sphere Bar which always has a great après ski atmosphere. As the weather was not particularly favourable on Sunday it was full to the brim with everyone (mainly me) shouting encouragement at a group of men a thousand miles away.
To celebrate the big win and to prepare myself for open mic night at Pacific Pub, the lads and I decided on some food in Smithy's Tavern washed down with a generous amount of the local digestif which is made up here in the mountains – Genepi. After singing a few songs and breaking a few hearts from behind the microphone, I decided to set to work on breaking my liver. And the best place to do this was Zoo Bar and so off we trotted to try some of their weird and wonderful French shooters and then finally to dance the night away in the Igloo nightclub.
Tuesday night was a fun time to be in Smithy's Tavern as they held a Halloween Party as part of their Cheesy Tuesday schedule, I was asked several times why a Halloween party, but as we don't get to celebrate Halloween in October it seemed a good a time as any for it. The only question I was asked more that night was “what are you supposed to be?” It's a ware-wolf people, a ware-wolf. There was spooky music, smoke machines firing away and more then a couple of Bloody Mary's being served. Afterwards the party moved into the Igloo nightclub where DJ Dkat was playing a superb set of drum & bass music. I didn't make it in there myself, but he got some glowing reviews the following day so keep an eye open for when he is next on.
Tonight is of course the big one…St Patrick's Day. Just about every bar in town is having a party in aid of the day, so make sure you are prepared for the town to be awash in green. Most bars usually lower their prices on Guinness which is normally very expensive in resort, so if you do enjoy a sip of the black stuff, then tonight is the night for it. There is live music in a variety of bars round resort but the biggest parties are going to be in O'Sharkeys Bar, Smithy's Tavern where Dr. Bruce are back and Lounge 21 where DJ Plus Plus is playing.
Tuesday night is Old School night in resort, so if you are heading out over the weekend, make sure you pack your tightest and brightest clothes and get ready to wave your glow sticks.
Remember, we're not here for a long time; we're here for a good time!
Pete
For a full list of this week's events, check out our What's On Calendar. You can also find full Bar and Restaurant listings in the Dining and Going Out section of the site.
