Whistler Nightlife Picks

This mountain town's more-than-respectable nightlife scene begins during the lazy après-ski hour and continues on to wine bars and late-night dance clubs.

Best Funky Little Bar
Amsterdam Cafe Pub. A warm, woody, posters-on-the-wall, big-TV kind of bar centrally located on the Village Square and catering to a Mostly young crowd. There's an outdoor patio and a menu of pub food in case beer isn't enough. (4232 Village Stroll; tel. 604/932-8334; www.amsterdampub.moonfruit.com)

Best for Billiards
Cinnamon Bear Bar. One of Whistler's favorite après ski joints, the Cinnamon Bear has a high-ceilinged central area with a stone fireplace, leather armchairs, built-in backgammon and chess boards, and two great pool tables. (4050 Whistler Way, in the Hilton; tel. 604/932-1982; www.hiltonwhistler.com)

Best Snowboarder's Lounge
Crystal Lounge. Located underground in the Crystal Lodge, this lounge looks like a big rec room and attracts a young, snowboarding crowd. There's live music sometimes, TV sports on others, and drunk young folks often. (4154 Village Green; tel. 604/938-1081)

Best Country Club Atmosphere
The Mallard Lounge. This very grown-up room is country club all the way, with a big fireplace, sofas and club chairs, and a menu of classic cocktails, Scotch, wine, and fine cigars. Outside, three fire pits keep things warm on the Mallard Terrace, nestled beside Blackcomb's slopes. (4599 Chateau Blvd., at the Fairmont Chateau; tel. 604/938-8000; www.fairmont.com/whistler)

Best Movie Theater
Village 8 Cinemas. Current Hollywood fare on eight screens, with a cafe on-site. (4295 Blackcomb Way; tel. 604/932-5833; www.village8.ca)

Best Irish Pub
Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub. Located in rock-throwing distance from Blackcomb's Excalibur Gondola, this Irish pub has an authentic, wood-filled interior (brought piece-by-piece from Dublin). The Guinness is well-poured, the pub menu is fantastic and there's a large beer and whiskey menu. (4320 Sundial Crescent, in the Pan Pacific Lodge; tel. 604/905-4047; www.dubhlinngate.com)

Best Roadhouse Party Atmosphere
Longhorn Saloon & Grill. Big, loud, and very young, the Longhorn is located close to the Garibaldi but has more of a wings-and-nachos vibe, with TVs, pool tables, and video games to distract you if the beer and snowboard babes don't. (4280 Mountain Sq.; tel. 604/932-5999; www.longhornsaloon.ca)

Most Original DJ Booth
Merlin's. Merlin's is part party bar and part club, with its DJ booth lodged in a retired gondola car. It's family-friendly at lunch and dinner, but things change after 9pm or so. (4545 Blackcomb Way; tel. 604/938-7700.)

Best Dance Club
Garfinkels Club. Another hot Whistler nightspot, Garfinkels focuses on DJ dance nights, plus occasional live bands. It's all about the drinking. I mean the dancing. Or maybe it's the drinking. (4308 Main St; tel. 604/932-2323; www.garfswhistler.com)