15 Best Bars in Lyon and the Alps, France

Hot both figuratively and literally (you'll probably end up stripping down to a T-shirt), this popular music bar near Plaza de l'Église packs in the après-ski party animals as soon as the sun is over the yardarm, which can be as early as 4 or 5 pm in December.

Set in Lyon's hip Hôtel Dieu complex, L'Officine's elegant decor, featuring leather banquettes, plush velvet chairs, wood paneling, and mood lighting, conveys a luxe private club atmosphere. It's the perfect backdrop for a menu of sublime cocktails made by Lyon's star mixologists. An ample selection of whiskey, bourbon, gin, wine, and Champagne attracts aficionados, and the outdoor terrace is a delight in warm weather. Small gourmet plates mean you can get there early and sample for dinner, a good idea at this popular address.

A carefully staged scene of plush velvets, romantic lighting, vintage touches, and mood music on a phonograph create a delicious atmosphere, and that's even before you get to the drinks. Inventive ambrosias with expressive names like Monkey Shoulder or Sex on the Beach are concocted from house-made syrups and fresh juices, and change monthly according to what's in season. There's also an impressive list of spirits and wines as well as small plates of cheese and charcuterie to keep you going through the night.

Located atop the La Sucrière arts center, in a refurbished 1930s sugar factory in the up-and-coming Confluence neighborhood, Le Sucre is Lyon's most happening bar/nightclub for the more artsy crowd. Here you'll find DJ sets, offbeat performances, and an eclectic series of art shows and dance events all centered on a cutting-edge music scene. All special performances, and prices, are listed online; some are free, or you can buy a ticket in advance online or at the door for €2 more. You can also go to the bar as a walk-in.

Resembling a pirate ship, Barberousse is an always-popping rum mill.

Besides games of chance like roulette and blackjack, the Casino de Chamonix has a bar and restaurant. Entrance is free with a passport or driver's license.

Fabled landmark Chambre Neuf is a hot après-ski bar in the Hotel Gustavia.

Live jazz has been played in the stone basement of the Hot Club since 1948, so they are obviously getting it right.

If you'd rather avoid elbow-to-elbow crowds at the slope-side bars, head to Le Poste de Secours. Dispensing with the chalet-chic decor that's so popular in the region’s watering holes, it has a futuristic feel. In the purple haze, spherical lighting fixtures float like planets while clusters of podlike chairs sit low to the ground. This is the best place in town for classic cocktails, made by bartenders who know their stuff.

This cozy bar with brick walls, leather easy chairs, and mood lighting may channel a Chicago speakeasy, but the high-quality rums, whiskies, gins, eau-de-vies, liqueurs, and more are 100% made in France and transformed into heavenly cocktails by talented mixologists. An eclectic musical program adds to the buzzing atmosphere, and copious meat and cheese boards are a plus for an evening out.

Live music from salsa to hip-hop rules at Le Marché Gare.

One of the first, and consistently among the best, of Lyon’s classic cocktail lounges, this spot has a stylishly moody atmosphere, cozy booths, and the kind of lighting that makes you want to hunker down for the evening. Its every-day hours and sidewalk terrace are big bonuses.

For the hottest English pub in Lyon, the Smoking Dog is the place to head. You can't miss the bright red awning out front.