Meiringen-Hasliberg Bars & Restaurants
The majority of Meiringen’s guests are families with young children and empty nesters for whom the lack of apres ski is not a problem, but if Meiringen is to appeal to a wider and younger audience a significantly better apres ski scene and an injection of fun would be high on the list of priorities.
There are traces of après ski on the mountain when the weather is fine later in the ski season when some bars feature DJ’s and live music to generate a reasonable Swiss party atmosphere between 3-5pm, but other than that Meiringen has no apres ski and no nightlife apart from a few quite ordinary bars. While that suits the local demographic and typical guest profile, 18-30 or 40 year olds wanting to party or just have a fun night out will be better off elsewhere.
Meiringen Apres Ski Bars
Most bars and restaurants in Meiringen have a distinctly local feel. Bar staff are too often indifferent and in some bars visitors may find themselves outnumbered by locals.
Kristal on Bahnhofstrasse is a warm and welcoming bar restaurant with an attractive interior and is the closest you’ll find to a busy après ski bar. There’s no name plate outside, but it’s conveniently situated in front of the Parkhotel du Sauvage and a reasonably fun place to meet for drinks or for a bite to eat. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 41 41.
Parkhotel du Sauvage is an Art Nouveau hotel built in 1880 with an attractive bar and snug leather chairs. The cosy bar is open to non-residents and is worth visiting for quiet après ski early in the evening or for after dinner drinks. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 18 81
Lyons-Pub also on Bahnhofstrasse is a sports bar with a ghastly interior over-decorated with flags from all over the world caused by a strong interest in football. There’s also a large drop down screen for viewing those important matches. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 63 69.
Hasli-Lodge in Kirchgasse is a clean and comfortable budget hotel with a reasonably attractive bar restaurant which serves the local Eichhof beer from Luzern on draft and is a convenient for après ski drinks. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 59 00.
Meiringen Restaurants
Hotel Victoria in Bahnhofstrasse is a small 3-star superior hotel punching well above its weight in the restaurant. Awarded 14 Gault Milau points in 2010 and cited in Guide Michelin, the Victoria’s chef offers mostly French cuisine with Asian influences. For a lighter meal or a snack the Hotel Victoria also has a cosy bistro. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 10 40
Alpin Sherpa Hotel in Bahnhofstrasse is an attractive modern hotel built in 1980 and named after the Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who was the first to climb Mount Everest. The only 4-star hotel in Meiringen it features an acceptably good restaurant and a comfortable bar as well as a stylish lobby with feature fireplace for drinks. Tel: +41 (0) 33 972 52 52.
Hotel Alpbach in Kirchgasse is another option for fine-dining and offers a good choice of classic international cuisine and fine wines. The interior design is very Swiss featuring extensive wooden panelling creating a traditional and cosy atmosphere. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 18 31
Adler Central in Schulhausgasse, running north off the main street, is a small hotel with a cosy and inviting bar restaurant with an open fire and a modestly priced menu serving mostly grilled meat dishes. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 10 32
Pizzeria Lucia in Alpbachstrasse and Pizzeria Rössli on Bahnhofstrasse offer a typical choice of Italian pizza and pasta dishes and are comparatively inexpensive option if dining out on a low cost budget. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 44 24 and +41 (0) 33 971 16 21.
Meiringen Nightclubs
Sherlock Alpenclub is the most obvious late nightspot and appeals to a younger clientele. The presence of a pair of burly bouncers in black paramilitary uniform outside the entrance was enough to persuade us not to test the rumour that “it gets better with each drink”. Tel: +41 (0) 33 971 18 25.