3 reviewed party hostels · from €32.84/night · Hostelworld rated
Lauterbrunnen isn’t your typical party destination, but if you’re after a mix of alpine adventure and a social hostel scene, it delivers. The village is small: just one main street, *Dorfstrasse*, flanked by 72 waterfalls and towering cliffs: but the energy shifts after dark. **Schutzenbach Backpackers** is the go-to for travellers aged 18–34, with its in-house bar drawing a crowd most nights. Just down the road, **Alpinebase** takes it further: a nightclub, cinema, and garden sessions that spill into impromptu gatherings. Don’t expect Berlin-level nightlife, but for a place where you can hike to a waterfall by day and share a beer with strangers by night, it’s a solid pick.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
This is a great social hostel, highly recommended for young travellers and students. The hostel features a buzzing on-site bar with great music and regular events. The staff is very friendly, always ready to help with any request. They will help you to book tours, trips, and many other activities.
Crazy and fun party hostel with amazing beer garden and night club. Balmers Night Club offers regular events with international DJ’s, live music, and theme parties. There is also a nice on-site restaurant and huge kitchen if you prefer to make your own food. Group dinners, movie and games nights are perfect for meeting other travellers.
Valley Hostel has amazing social vibes thanks to perfectly designed common areas. The hostel features 3 kitchens where you can cook and enjoy fun group dinners. There is also a BBQ area, large terrace, and garden, perfect for bonding with other guests. Plenty of activities are organized every day like hiking, train ride excursions, picnics, walking tours, etc.
How Lauterbrunnen's nightlife zones break down
The village centre is tiny: just *Dorfstrasse*, the main road, lined with hostels, bars, and a handful of shops. It’s where you’ll find **Horner Pub**, **Schutzenbach Backpackers**, and the train station. Everything is within a 10-minute walk, and the Staubbach Falls are just five minutes up the road. It’s quiet during the day but livens up in the evenings when travellers return from hiking.
A car-free village perched above Lauterbrunnen, Wengen is accessible by a 15-minute cogwheel train. It’s quieter than Lauterbrunnen, with fewer bars but stunning views of the Eiger and Jungfrau mountains. The **Hotel Bellevue** has a decent bar, and the hiking trails here are some of the best in the region. It’s a good place to escape the backpacker crowd.
A 20-minute train ride from Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken is the closest thing to a nightlife hub in the region. The *Höhematte* area is packed with bars and clubs, including **Metro** and **Club Balmers**. It’s also the base for adventure sports like paragliding and skydiving. If you’re staying in Lauterbrunnen but want a big night out, this is where you’ll end up.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
The only proper pub in Lauterbrunnen, **Horner** has been the local watering hole since 1996. It’s small: just a bar, dartboard, and a handful of tables: but the vibe is friendly, and the staff don’t mind if you linger. JaegerBombs cost CHF 12, and the pub grub (think burgers and schnitzel) is decent. Gets busy from 9 PM, especially on weekends when travellers from nearby hostels pile in.
This bar is the heart of **Schutzenbach Backpackers**, the village’s liveliest hostel. Open to guests and non-guests, it’s a mix of travellers swapping stories over CHF 7 beers. The bar runs occasional themed nights: think pub quizzes or open-mic sessions: but mostly it’s about spontaneous gatherings. If you’re staying here, expect late-night chats with strangers from every corner of the globe.
Tucked inside **Alpinebase** hostel, this tiny nightclub is Lauterbrunnen’s best-kept secret. It’s nothing fancy: just a basement room with a DJ booth and a dance floor: but it packs out on weekends. Music leans toward house and techno, with the occasional throwback night. Entry is free for hostel guests, and drinks are cheaper than at **Horner Pub**. If you’re not staying here, arrive early; it gets crowded fast.
Part of the **Camping Jungfrau** site, this bar is a laid-back spot for campers and hostel-goers. It’s outdoors, with picnic tables and a fire pit, so it’s weather-dependent: but when it’s open, it’s a great place to meet people. Beers cost CHF 6, and they often run happy hours from 5–7 PM. The crowd is a mix of backpackers and families, so it’s more chilled than **Alpinebase** or **Horner**.
If you’re craving a proper club, **Metro** in Interlaken is the closest option. It’s a 20-minute train ride from Lauterbrunnen, but worth it for the dance floor and cocktail bar. Music ranges from EDM to hip-hop, and entry is usually CHF 10–15, depending on the night. The crowd is young: mostly backpackers and locals: and it stays open until 4 AM. Pre-drink at your hostel to save on overpriced club drinks.
Attached to **Balmers Hostel**, this club is a backpacker institution. It’s got two floors: a bar area with pool tables and a dance floor pumping out chart hits and throwbacks. Entry is CHF 10, and drinks are cheaper than **Metro**. The crowd is international, and the vibe is unpretentious. If you’re staying at Balmers, you’ll get free entry before midnight. Trains back to Lauterbrunnen stop at 12:40 AM, so plan ahead.