No one comes to Sauze d’Oulx for just the skiing and snowboarding, do they? Sauze has a reputation for being the biggest party resort for Brits & Irish in Italy, but it’s toned down a little in recent years and isn’t quite as wild as it once was. We think that’s a good thing, because while you can still have a huge night out, there’s also now a great variety of bars & après to suit everyone. From dancing on an outdoor terrace in your ski gear to pop bangers as the sun sets, to some of the best aperitivo in Italy (that’s ‘free picky bits’ to you and me), and from relaxed, acoustic live music to bars that don’t ever seem to close, Sauze d’Oulx really does have it all.
Sauze d'Oulx
Bars & Après
L’Assietta – ON THE DISCOUNT CARD
Assietta has some of the best aperitivo in town. Don’t panic when you’re handed platefuls of food with your drinks order: it’s all free. If you’re feeling a bit peckish when you get off the slopes and it’s still a few hours until dinner time, L’Assietta aperitivo will fill that hole. The picky bits will keep coming if you keep drinking. Although it’s a fairly classy place, the outdoor terrace is known to suddenly host DJ sets and pretty lively après, especially when the Scandies or the Dutch are in town.
Il Lampione (Lamps) – ON THE DISCOUNT CARD
In the old town, Lamps is where you go if you like your wine local, and your bar staff to know the difference between Monkey 47 and Ophir. They have an incredible selection of gins, whiskeys, cocktails and wines. This is the perfect bar for a romantic evening, or a good catch up with old friends, over great quality drinks. There’s no standing room, it’s fairly small, and once people are in, they’re likely to linger, so you might struggle to get a table, but if you manage, you won’t regret it.
Village Cafè – ON THE DISCOUNT CARD
At the very bottom of the Clotes home run, Village can offer a great après experience and caters well to larger groups looking to have a proper chat, rather than a wild dance. That being said, they Karoke pops off on a Tuesday, and as soon as dinner service ends on Mondays & Wednesdays, there’s a live DJ set. So, perhaps, it’s better to say that in Village you can start with a chilled drink and end up belting out Total Eclipse of the Heart at midnight, still in your ski gear.
Ghost Bar
At the bottom of Clotes, Ghost will often have live bands during the après hours (around 4-8pm) and, dangerously, stays open so late we’ve never actually managed to be there for last orders. They serve food way past midnight and towers of beer. If you’re here past midnight, you probably won’t be skiing too much the next day.
Miravallino (Mirrors)
Mirrors is a firm favourite amongst Sauze’s holidaymakers and locals, alike. With themed DJ sets most nights of the week (90s Hip Hop, anyone?) and live music at least a couple of times a week, there’s always a party vibe, particularly from 9pm onwards. They’re known to host silent outdoor discos and karaoke, too, so if you’re looking for a night of silly nonsense, Mirrors is always a good place to check out.
La Grangia
An absolute sun trap at the bottom of Clotes, if you like your apres in full ski gear, dancing to pop bangers as the sun sets, La Grangia is the place for you. Sedate during the day, the music starts to pump from 3pm onwards and is known to turn into the best kind of silliness by 7pm, with dancing on tables, t-shirts being flung in the air, and pints of beer being long-armed. If it’s old skool après you’re after, La Grangia has got you covered.
K2
Like Assietta, you’re guaranteed some top notch aperitivo here before you go back to your hotel for dinner. The vibe is relaxed, and on Tuesday there’s chilled live music that’s great quality, but never so loud you can’t speak to your mates. Also, in that final hour of sunshine the town gets after the lifts shuts, the outdoor area of K2 is a great spot that has plenty of seating.
Derby Bar
Derby Bar manages to have both cosy, Italian charm with its open fire, but also maintains a more seasonaire ski resort vibe. They’re the last bar in Sauze town to still have the nails game, so for that alone, they’re worth a visit.
Sport Cafè
Does what it says on the tin, it’s one of the only places in Sauze where you’ll find English commentary for every major sporting event. It’s also a great to go for a couple of drinks if you want to chat with your group and meet other people.
Chaberton Lodge
At the far end of the old town, but a world away from your cheap ‘n’ cheerful apr[s, you’ll find the Chaberton Lodge Hotel. It’s a gorgeous space, so sit back and relax as the pianist plays on the grand piano (every night from 6pm). The extensive wine list has been selected by local experts, there’s a sushi bar for those who’ve had their fill of pizza and pasta, and live bands on the stage at least once a week. There’s the opportunity to book private rooms for wine tasting, or enjoy the carefully curated restaurant menu.
GFC (although this is in Sestriere)
Wednesday nights at Gargot Fashion Cafe are infamous. Trade your €€s in for actual, plastic beer tokens and prepare to party from 3pm onwards. Make sure you’ve already arranged your taxi or coach back to Sauze, because there’s no other way of getting back once the lifts start to shut at 4pm.