Where to Party in Cortina

Introduction

All about partying in Cortina d'Ampezzo: from an unpretentious beer to a glass of wine and the places to dance until late at night. Discover everything you need to know about Cortina's nightlife, which becomes one of the most exclusive in Italy during the peak season.

Straight to the Point

This article has turned out quite long. If you don't want to read it all, below you'll find some links that will take you directly to the topic of your interest.

First, we'll describe the night bars and clubs, where you can dance until late at night. These are the first we mention because they are harder to find without a recommendation and also require some explanation about prices and actual opening days and hours.

Where to go to dance Clubs and night bars where you can have fun and dance until late at night. These places are best after 11 p.m. Reading time: 3 min.

We'll then proceed with unpretentious bars, where you can drink a beer or a glass of wine without having to worry about how you are dressed.

Unpretentious bars Relaxed places: bars and pubs where you can enjoy a drink in total relaxation, without any need for formality. Reading time: 3 min.

The next chapter describes the most common places in Cortina: the more elegant spots, but not yet prestigious. These are bars and wine bars where you can enjoy a drink surrounded by a more adult clientele.

Elegant places More elegant wine bars, but without excess. Here you can sip a glass of wine or a cocktail in a cozy atmosphere. Reading time: 3 min.

Let's proceed with the prestigious locations, the most elegant and sophisticated spots, which are obviously also more pricey.

Prestigious Locations A selection of the most exclusive venues, where every bottle celebrates elegance without compromises. Reading time: 3 min.

Next, we'll explore the après-ski spots at the foot of the ski slopes and the mountain lodges at high altitude, where you can enjoy a drink surrounded by the most spectacular mountains.

Après-ski and mountain lodges The best places to party with a unique view, when you are dressed for skiing or hiking, depending on the season. Reading time: 3 min.

In this article, we'll also try to give you an idea of the price ranges of the places we are recommending, but keep in mind that the final price mainly depends on what you order.Most of the suggested locations are very close to the center and reachable on foot. We apologize if we missed anyone; in that case, don't hesitate to contact us.

Where to Dance: Nightlife and Clubs

In the heart of Cortina, there are several bars and clubs perfect for those who love to dance and listen to loud music. Let's explore the best options for night owls together. Generally, it's best to go there after eleven in the evening.

• Janbo is a bar with two souls. During the day it's a quiet place to eat or drink something; at night the DJ chooses the perfect music to dance on the dance floor. After midnight the entrance could be difficult because of a queue that may appear out the door. In this case, it might be made a minimum of selection at the entrance. If you want to dance, try to arrive not too late to avoid the problem. Prices are reasonable for a nightclub with music. The music tries to satisfy both young people and adults, alternating modern pieces with great dancefloor classics. Sometimes there are organized theme nights, such as the 90s.
• Ciasa Lorenzi is a hotel with a bar close to the town center; on Wednesday, at the bar, there is a party with music and a DJ. It is a really successful event. The bar closes relatively early, around midnight, but it's still a perfect location for lovers of wine and house music. This event takes place both in the peak and medium season, and the bar, which is not really big, in summer gets bigger thanks to the external terrace. On a few days of the peak season, the entrance may be by invitation only, but if you are around on Wednesday night and you want to dance, you should surely take a look.

So far we have talked about bars, but there are also real clubs and discos in Cortina. They are generally open only when the season is at its peak, and the prices are not exactly popular.

• Bilbò Club is a nightclub that opens only a few weeks in peak season. It preserves the charm of the classic Cortina, with a decor that recalls the golden years of the discos. It is the ideal place for a more adult clientele, but it can also be appreciated by young people. At the entrance, there's usually a person who selects the entrance, and you'll probably be asked to pay the entrance fee. The level of the club is surely higher than the average; the prices are those of an exclusive place, and it's always advisable to dress decorously. We suggest visiting it if you want to breathe an atmosphere that, over the years, is almost getting lost.
• Hierbas Cortina is another popular club, really close to Bilbò; in fact, it is the door on the left. There, you'll also be checked at the entrance, and you'll probably be charged with a fee. I see it open more often than Bilbo, and it is frequented by people who are, on average, younger. The environment is modern, and it closes late at night, so it could be a good alternative if you are looking for an elegant but more relaxed place to dance until late. Prices are medium-high, but still reasonable for a club.
• Vip Club is a historic club of Cortina d'Ampezzo, which also appeared in the 1983 Italian comedy movie "Vacanze di Natale." It's also open only in peak season. The style is rustic, with lots of wood and soft lights. The place is generally really crowded, so much so that, sometimes, it could be quite complicated even to get in. Surely it's a club suitable for those looking for a more adult place, with music and fun as in the golden years of piano bars. The reason for which this club is so loved is that it can almost make you travel back in time, at least for one night, when people were more carefree. The level of the club, as you can guess from the name, is very high, both in prices and in the clientele that frequents it. If you want to breathe an atmosphere that is almost forgotten, you should really consider it. It will probably be required to pay the entrance fee, and you may not be allowed without appropriate clothing.
• Belvedere is a nightclub that has almost always been present in the history of Cortina. It is a small hut surrounded by greenery, offering a breathtaking view. It can only be reached by taxi or car. It does not open often, except for some special nights, but if you get the chance, it is definitely worth considering. Management changed a few years ago, and prices have become aligned with those of other nightclubs, so not exactly popular. Just for the sake of curiosity, in the past, it was a cheaper place, frequented almost exclusively by locals.

Drink Something in an Unpretentious Bar

Going on vacation means, first of all, relaxing and having fun. After a nice day outdoors, or if the weather is not the best, having a drink in total relaxation in a brewery or a bar without the need for formality is a great thing.

So, in this chapter, we want to focus on the less pretentious bars in Cortina, where you don't have to worry about how you are dressed, and which are open all year round. If you are searching for a place where you can drink something at a reasonable price, frequented also by residents who want to have fun or relax, we recommend you choose one of the following places:

• Bar Sport is one of the points of reference of the Ampezzo nightlife. It is a rather small place, but from the outside it offers the most interesting meeting point of "Corso Italia," also thanks to its absolutely central position. It's rather busy throughout the year, all the time, but especially in the peak season.
• Hacker Pschorr Haus is a brewery, so it's the perfect place to grab a beer in an environment reminiscent of German breweries. Although the place inspires more to sit down, to consume something at a table, the bar counter is still a meeting point for many thirsty customers.
• Janbo is the same place we mentioned in the nightclubs, but it's also a great place to sip a drink or eat something. Before the late evening comes, it's definitely quieter, so you can consider it also for a relaxing drink in the afternoon or the evening. It also has a large covered terrace.
• The bar of the climbing gym should leave you with zero doubts about where it's located. The climbing gym of Cortina is fifteen minutes walking far from the center, but the bar is rather frequented, not only by climbers but also by those who are looking for a cozy bar with a more carefree clientele.
• Molo pub is a bar that was almost exclusively frequented by local people until a few years ago, also because it's slightly out of the central area. Thanks to the passion of the owner, over the years, it has become known for the high quality of food and cocktails, not to mention the selection of craft beers. Mainly aimed at a nightlife audience, it has an average, more adult, and quiet clientele. An important thing: it's a nice place for those who want to sit and relax, but it's not ideal if you are in a rush; they take their time to prepare things well.
• Toto Bar is about a twenty-minutes walk from the town center but is really cozy. It is surely perfect for a snack in front of a breathtaking panorama, but you may also find a more lively and party-like evening; you never know, especially in the summer. You may take a walk to go there and see if it's more or less lively.

If you want to experience the less tourist spirit of Cortina, we want to introduce you to three other bars that are very central but frequented mainly by locals. These places should be considered by those who are looking for a bit of tranquility, even during the busiest periods. They are not exactly party places, but they may be interesting nonetheless.

• The Bar of the Minigolf is the first we want to talk about. It is a small bar opened only in the summer. It's the cheapest bar in Cortina, which is why it is often frequented by young workers who, after work, meet up to have a few beers with friends.
• La Scaletta is a very informal place in which to have a carefree drink. Consider that it's almost guaranteed the presence of some workers who drink something dressed for work. It's not a party-like location, but it could be really lively.
• The Bar del Nano is the last we want to cite; it is a place that has nothing to do with parties and revelry, but it's so much quieter and characteristic to become interesting. Can you believe that the furniture has remained completely unchanged since the Olympics of 1956? It is located on the road leading to the Ice Stadium. During the Christmas vacations and in August, it's closed, as if to emphasize its non-touristy character. Here you can almost always find a free table, even in the peak of the peak season.

There are many other bars in Cortina, all very welcoming, such as the Bar Dolomiti, the Bar Becalen, the Bar Arnika, or the Hotel Fiames.

The reason why we haven't deepened these last names is because they are not directly associated with party and revelry, even if they also are cozy environments.

Many of the places we have written about also offer the possibility of eating something but, if you are interested in the best places to eat, you should read our in-depth article that you can find below:

Eat well in Cortina The best places to eat in the town, whatever the budget, from pizza to star-studded. Reading time: 10 min.

A Glass of Wine

In this chapter, we'll list the more elegant places, but don't worry, evening attire is not required. During the aperitif, it is very likely that you will see most people wearing a wool sweater or a classy shirt, but it is certainly not mandatory. These are places with still reasonable prices, even though proportionate to a high-profile tourist destination.

The peak time is during the aperitif, so from seven to eight in the evening; the clientele is generally young, but still adult. Consider that these places are suggested only for those who love a little crowd and higher volume music. With the sun high in the sky, or after nine in the evening, these bars are generally much quieter and less crowded.

All of these places are reasonably priced, proportionate, however, to a high-profile tourist location.

• The roof is the new bar of the "Cooperativa di Cortina." It is a very elegant place, quite large and well-frequented. The wood furniture combines modernity and tradition. It is at the top floor of the "Cooperativa," on the roof, so it also offers a nice view and a terrace. It is surely worth a visit. One important thing to know: if the shop is closed, the entrance is on the narrow road on the left, named "via Jacheto," in a side door to the main entrance.
• Baita Fraina Wine Bar is surely a great alternative. The wine selection is definitely top-tier because wines are their main focus. The environment is sober and elegant, and it generally is quite packed both in summer and in winter; the location is very central. There is a reasonable amount of space inside, but many prefer to take place in the external barrel tables.
• La Suite is another perfect location for the aperitif. It is very central; it has an amazing view of the bell tower, a relaxed atmosphere, a good selection of wines, and many other drinks. What more could you want? This is a very popular place during aperitif hours, but it's also open during the day.

• Enoteca Cortina is an excellent alternative among the wine bars of the center. It's the perfect spot if you want to drink a glass of quality wine, surrounded by a more adult clientele. This is a historical place in Cortina, generally crowded, but with a generally quieter atmosphere. It has recently changed management, but fortunately the spirit has remained unchanged, with a new owner who is passionate and an expert in wines.
• Ciasa Lorenzi is the bar of the hotel with the same name. It is a popular place with a nice terrace and a restaurant where it is possible to eat very well. It's not uncommon to find more partying than one might expect from a hotel bar. It's located near the bus station. Not as central as the others, but still really close to the center.
• Villa Sandi is the sixth proposal, but certainly not in importance. This is a wine bar, affiliated with the label of the same name. The environment is of the same type as the previous bars: renowned, but not sumptuous; in the evening, it's generally very busy.
• Faro di Cortina is a cocktail bar that wants to be different from the bars around it, offering sophisticated drinks in a distinctive environment. It's not the classic "beer and spritz," but for cocktail lovers, it's certainly an interesting place. You can find it on Largo Poste, slightly hidden under the porch in front of Villa Sandi.

You should always consider that Cortina, in peak season, is generally very busy. If you want to drink something before dinner, it will be difficult to find one of these places half empty. For those looking for more peace and quiet, we suggest anticipating the time of the aperitif between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and maybe having dinner a little earlier than anybody else.

In any case, don't worry, all the places proposed are relatively close to each other, so in ten minutes you'll be able to check almost all of them, to see where there might be more or less people, depending on what you are looking for.

The Most Prestigious Locations

For those who are looking for a more exclusive place to have a high-end aperitif, all the places listed before are a little bit too accessible and crowded.

The first place we want to recommend is Bar Alfredo at Restaurant Alajmo Cortina. Their offering is a truly prestigious aperitif, based on caviar and champagne. The name of the place is a tribute to the entrepreneur Alfredo Beltrame, famous in the 1960s for bringing Italian cuisine to the levels of excellence we know today.

Alternatively, you can find the real exclusivity in Cortina at the hotel bars, mainly those in the center. If you want an absolutely prestigious aperitif, probably the best place is the bar of the Hotel de la Poste. Alternatively, it is also possible to head to the bar at the Hotel Cortina, whose terrace overlooks the bell tower. Another prestigious terrace on the "Corso Italia," the pedestrian area of the center, is that of the Hotel Ancora, where you can enjoy an enviable panorama on Mount Tofane.

There are many other hotels in the Ampezzo valley that offer the possibility to drink something, even without being a guest. These are generally cozy and relaxing places, but they are not directly associated with having fun in Cortina, so they'll not be discussed on this page.

In addition to trendy clubs and bars, Cortina is also famous for the villas owned by wealthy entrepreneurs, celebrities, or heirs. In these prestigious mansions, the most prominent personalities of the national and international scene attend private parties, inaccessible to ordinary people.

For the sake of full transparency, we must confess that we are neither experts nor interested in this type of environment, so we preferred to create a concise chapter rather than write nonsense.

Mountain Lodges and Après Ski

Alpine mountain lodges are the ideal place to relax and have fun immersed in nature. If they are located on the ski slopes, they are perfect for relaxing between skiing sessions. Some mountain lodges have evolved this concept into après ski, an afternoon party with music, DJs, and celebrations with ski boots still on. If the mountain lodge is not accessible from the ski slopes, you might consider reaching it on foot, enjoying a meal, and then descending to the valley by sled. Their charm remains unchanged even in summer.

• The Chalet Tofane is currently the place that, most of all, embodies the spirit of the Après Ski. The large terrace hosts many young people, both locals and tourists. Surely one of the reasons why the Chalet Tofane has become the point of reference in this type of events is the fact that it's located relatively close to the center, so it's easy to reach it by car, on foot, or by ski. It also has a huge parking lot available. In winter it overlooks the ski slopes of Socrepes; in summer it's surrounded by greenery. You can dance and have fun; in short, it has all the credentials to be the first on the list.
• The Rifugio Scoiattoli, at the "Cinque Torri," is another great choice. You need a means of transport to reach the parking lot of the Five Towers, but once you are there, the only effort you'll need to make is to get on the chairlift. In summer you could also go there with a reasonably short hike. The restaurant offers good quality food, the bar is well stocked, and the panorama is amazing. A classy mountain lodge where you can also have fun. It has a large terrace, and it even has a heated "wooden tub." It's a tub made of fir wood in which you can dive in with five other people. Of course, it's always recommended to call first to ask about availability and eventually book.

• The Rifugio Averau is located in the same area, but at a higher altitude. It's another wonderfully furnished restaurant, where you can eat really well and enjoy yourself or relax on its large terrace, from which you can see a wonderful view.
• The Rifugio Mietres is located on the northeast side of the Ampezzo valley and is another example of beautiful mountain furniture. The Rifugio Mietres has a large terrace and is relatively close to the center. It can be reached, depending on the season, with the jeep or snowmobile, which should be available on request. You can also reach it with a relatively short hike or with ski mountaineering. The climb is demanding, but you could make it way less tiring starting from "Larieto." There is also a large tub made of larch wood and an outdoor sauna. Also in this case, it is strongly recommended to ask in advance about the availability and reserve it. In winter it's also an ideal place to organize a descent with the sledge.
• Malga Federa is a smaller structure than the previous ones, but no less fascinating. It is an adorable Alpine hut surrounded by greenery, at the foot of the mount "Bèco de Mesodì." In summer you can reach it on foot or with the jeep; in winter on foot or with the mountaineering skis. Also here, in winter, the descent by sledge is a good option if there's enough snow.

In Cortina, during summertime, there are some events that attract sportsmen and fans from all over the world. Considering the large number of visitors, these events have become occasions to meet and party, and they are now part of the heart of the Ampezzo summer:

• The summer ends with the Delicious Festival Dolomiti, a trail-running and gastronomic competition, where the mountain lodges involved prepare some pit stops with traditional Ampezzo dishes and snacks. At the end of the race, a large tent is set up for celebrating in style, which you can join even if you didn't participate in the race.
• At the end of June is held La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail, during which the Palmieri mountain hut at "Croda da Lago" organizes an outdoor chicken barbecue for the passage of the running race. A meeting point for athletes, fans, or simply for those who want to have fun. Considering the importance of the event, the town fills with a festive atmosphere. We also suggest you attend the start of the longest race. It usually takes place around 11 p.m. in the center of Cortina, under the bell tower, and it's generally very crowded.

For those who have never been to Cortina, alpine huts could be imagined as uncomfortable and spartan shelters, where the manager serves polenta and sausages in a dark dining room.

Although there are a few places that almost fit this description, many alpine lodges in Cortina are actually both luxury restaurants at high altitudes and places of party and fun, with trendy menus and solarium terraces. Mountain lodges are the ideal place to relax or drink something surrounded by nature.

In summer you can reach them walking and then stay under the sun until late hours, thanks to the long days. In winter they can be chosen as a destination while you are skiing, on the ski slopes, or while you are mountain skiing. Some mountain lodges can also be reached by jeep service; if you don't want to walk, you can ask if it's available.

Some mountain lodges are even accessible without the need to walk, thanks to jeep services or ski lifts. For more information on this topic, we invite you to read our dedicated page:

Eating in a mountain lodge An article about mountain lodges, both if you want to walk there or use the ski lift. Reading time: 11 min.

Just remember to not exaggerate with the drinks, because you have to get back to the valley. We, as mountain people, know one thing: it's not scientifically proven, but the experience teaches us that it works: descending rapidly in altitude after having had a few drinks is challenging. Lowering in altitude makes drunkenness rise.

Low and Peak Seasons

The seasonality of Cortina d'Ampezzo is a topic that should always be brought to the readers' attention. What many perhaps do not know is that the town changes a lot depending on the moment of the year.

The kind of tourists, the crowdedness, and the air you breathe during Christmas time are not even remotely similar to what you may find if, for example, you come in autumn.

Cortina is a rather small mountain town. Many houses are owned by vacationers and remain closed for most of the year. In the low season there are relatively few residents, so most of the nightclubs prefer to stay closed.

You should not worry, though; the informal bars remain generally open all year round, except for a few weeks of vacation, and some offer music till late hours during almost all the year.

Anyway keep in mind that, during most of the months, the atmosphere is more that of a quiet mountain town, rather than that of a super crowded tourist spot.

If you want to learn more about this topic, we invite you to read the page we have written about the seasonality of Cortina during the different months of the year. You can click it below:

Cortina's seasonality Let's discover the tourist influx to Cortina. A detailed analysis of every month of the year. Reading time: 12 min.

Typical Drinks

After all this talk about fun and hangouts, one question might come up: what do people typically drink in Cortina d'Ampezzo? The answer to this question comes from Cortina's geographical position.To the north we can find Austria and Germany, homelands of the "lager beer" and "Weissbier" that, in the mountains, are both very appreciated.

To the south there are the territories of "Prosecco," a white sparkling wine, and all the other exceptional vineyards of Veneto. I honestly think that in our region there are some of the best wines ever; in fact, they are worldwide appreciated. The neighboring Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino Alto Adige also produce very respectable wines too.

Now let's see which are the drinks that, more than any other, are typical of our territory.

• Now famous all over the world, the most popular aperitifs are the "Prosecco" and the "Spritz aperol." Aperol spritz is the aperitif par excellence in Veneto: it's a drink that initially was very popular among university students in Padua, later, it was exported to Venice, Treviso, Jesolo and Cortina. Today it's spread all over Italy and the world. What distinguishes our territories is that the spritz is considered, and charged, as a glass of wine of average quality. Once you are outside of the Veneto region, however, it's considered a cocktail, so generally it's much more expensive. A true Venetian would say that home is where the spritz is reasonably priced.
• If you are in Cortina in winter and you prefer to drink something hot to keep you warm, you should try the "vin brulè," the Italian name of the mulled wine. It's a glass of boiled red wine, flavored and sweetened. It is served warm, and, I assure you, it will warm both your heart and your bones. If you need to raise the temperature of your body with one or two glasses of mulled wine, you will be reborn.

• Another typical glass of the Veneto mountains is called "Vov." It is a rather light liquor, a very caloric and sweet egg cream, similar to "zabaglione," which is perfect to face the cold temperatures of the mountains. It normally comes in a coffee cup or a tiny glass. Sometimes it's served warm, with a hat of whipped cream. In this case it's called "Bombardino." A curiosity for you: the "Vov" originated in Padua, Italy, from a pastry chef who didn't know what to do with the egg yolks. He used to make meringues, so he used only the whites of the eggs and invented this drink. In fact, the name comes from "vovi," which literally means eggs in the dialect of that part of Italy.
• Another constant presence is the "grappa." It is the typical conclusion of dinners in Cortina. It can be sweet, with the taste of different fruits, or bitter, with the taste of roots or mountain herbs, or even really dry, as white "grappa." The "grappa" that most represents Cortina is the cumin grappa, which every real Cortina resident calls "Ciariè." If you are brave and you like extremely bitter tastes, you could try a Gentian grappa , which we call "Genziana." It's a real challenge, but it's also the most interesting and least commercial grappa.

• Typical mountain dishes are often based on meats and strong flavors; for this reason, we suggest you go for red wines, strictly local. If you'll eat some Austrian-origin food, which can be found in the breweries, the perfect drink is a good mug of beer. We want to go out on a very personal stand here, but we believe that red wines from Veneto are among the best in the world. If you are not afraid of challenging wines, Ripasso and Amarone are wines you should definitely investigate.
• In nightclubs, as in all tourist resorts, international cocktails monopolize the market. Today the most requested glass in Cortina is the Gin Tonic. Ask the bartender how you like it, and he'll certainly be able to find the right combination of tonic and botanicals.

Always remember to drink responsibly: if you've had a little too much fun, call a taxi. The country is small, the curves are tight, the roads are narrow, and the patrols know where to lurk...

As you may have guessed, there are places you can party in Cortina d'Ampezzo, but you shouldn't expect the nightlife of the metropolis or of the fun factories found in coastal cities.

If you are not so young, or you simply don't want to be in the middle of the confusion, remember that it's possible to spend a fun evening also at the restaurant. A dinner with one or more friends at a table, maybe drinking a good bottle of wine, is perhaps one of the most pleasant activities that exist.

Conclusion

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