The World's Coolest Mountaintop Bars

Sure , there are a ton ofgreat après - ski spotsout there , but what about bars on top of a glacier , or on the side of a drop , or that you basically have to hit BEFORE you ski down the mountain ? That ’s veracious , there are n’t nearly as many dipsomaniac built on real mountaintops ( or even mid - spate , really ) , but we pull off to cut across down eight in high spirits - elevation watering trap you really should n’t drop . peculiarly since one of ‘em has go - go dancers .

Halfway Guesthouse

Tiger Leaping Gorge , ChinaLiterally locate in Shangri - La ( County ) , this Himalayan youth hostel is famous for its position at the highest point along the upper lead on Tiger Leaping Gorge , and for the stunning scene from its terrace . Also , for its communal bath . gravely : a 2004 BBC documentary visit it the " phone number - one toilet in heaven and Earth . " It ’s also known for friendly service , clean if scarcely luxurious accommodations , and a simple breakfast . Pro tip : start your hike early in the day if you anticipate to achieve this " halfway " peak by nightfall .

Unbuckle Apres

Heavenly , CAOK , so technically , this lively establishment inside Tamarack Lodge at the top of the gondola is n’t at the top of Heavenly ( it ’s at what it calls " mid - stack " ) , but it ’s close enough , and the violent , unique - to - North America parties shed there – complete with their own go - go dancer , the Heavenly Angels – will make you feel like you ’re some place even gamey than the nearby peaks .

Restaurant Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Zermatt , SwitzerlandNo , it does n’t pose atop the famed Disney tingle ride . It ’s ontheactualMatterhorn . Yes , the one in the Alps ! Located inside the superlative place of Europe ’s mellow aerial cableway ( at almost 13,000 ft ) , this newly renovated and modern eatery / bar serve well up all - daytime chow ( high spot included Swiss specialties like rosti w/ veal sausage and Burger / pub fare ) , as well as unique panorama of the surrounding peaks .

Alpine Vino

Telluride , COReached via an enclosed " snow coach " – or , you know , ski / snowboard – this gradient - side smear overlooking the Wilson Range is the highest - elevation amercement - dining restaurant in North America ( 11,966 ft ) . It serves a multi - course Italian menu and boasts a straggle multi - level deck ( with covered daybeds and sheepskin throws ! ) where you could drink in the view … and vino from the out-of-door wine-colored bar .

Knoll Ridge Chalet

Tongariro National Park , New ZealandThe gamy stripe in all of Oceania , this ultra - modern chalet / coffeehouse located on top of an active volcano is more than a place to drink / boozing in stunning views of the surrounding parkland ; built of pre - fabulous control board ( helicoptered to the top ) , its award - winning design can withstand sub - zero temperature , heavy snowfall , and wind gusts up to 125 miles per hour

5506’ Skybar

Beech Mountain , NCBuilt in 2013 at the top of this popular ski area ( guess how high it is ! ) , this circular spyglass edifice with a retractable cap offers 360 - point views of the Blue Ridge Mountains , the chance to cool down on a 2,800sqft deck , and a batting order of DJs and other entertainment if actually hitting the incline is n’t enough for you .

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Lijiang , ChinaPurportedly the world ’s highest drinking establishment , this bare blot near the Northern Hemisphere ’s southernmost glacier sits at over 13,600 ft – so high that there ’s oxygen offered at the bottom of the mountain before you guide up .

Umbrella Bar

Squaw Valley , CAIt mightnot be quite as cool as Le Chamoisdown the mountain , but this bar stake up at 8,200 ft right next to the hangout ’s sprawl Jacuzzi is the only spot on our listing to offer pool party along with scenic views ( of the Sierras and Lake Tahoe ) . Too high-risk it ’s only open about four hours a sidereal day .

Bradley Fosteris a former Thrillist editor in chief whose fondest memory of the class he spent hold out in South Lake Tahoe is rappelling from a gondola at Heavenly . But of course that was before Unbuckle Apres unfold .

Halfway Guesthouse