Nightlife
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Although you can find and enjoy your favorite drink at any beach town along the the Costa Blanca, for a night out until sunrise, you have to go to Alicante or (love or hate it),Benidorm.
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Alicante is a vibrant beach city with many things to do by day and night. Nightlife in Alicante could be a drink in a beach bar, live music, theatre, dining out, a meal on board a wooden sailing ship or trying your luck in the casino. Whatever your budget or idea of a good night out, Alicante will deliver.
You could explore different areas such as El Barrio by the cathedral or Rambla, along the Paseo de la Explanada de Espana with its various bars and restaurants, in the chic marina, or try one of the chiringuito beach bars in the summer months.
With hundreds of bars and venues in the city, you might want to just wander around an area to visit those which appeal to you, although there are a few must-go places if you really want to get the full flavour of the nightlife.
Heading for the bars in El Barrio, Alicante
Much of the fun starts in and around the Barrio, which is perfect for going on a wander around the historic streets of Alicante to sample a few bars or grab a bite to eat before heading for one of the discos or chill-out lounges.
This is the birthplace of Alicante's nightlife and popular with university students and older revellers alike. It will take you around the historic heart of the city as well as the districts - or barrios - of Santa Cruz and Carmen with many of the oldest and best-known venues still found here.
Following on from the Barrio is the city centre where the nightlife centres on the Rambla, Portal de Elche, Plaza de Gabriel Miro and the fascinating Calle San Francisco. This street has been pedestrianised with colourful yellow paving to look like the yellow brick road. You'll find mushrooms dotted around the street with cute snails and other creatures to create a unique experience during your night out in Alicante.
Around Alicante central market is the 'ruta de la madera' with various nightclubs and live music venues playing rock and heavy metal music.
Many of the bars and restaurants have outside terraces so you can order a drink and watch the world go by.
There are literally hundreds of places to visit but we have found a handful of our favourites in and around this area to share with you.
La Mision, in an historic three-storey house, is a popular spot for a drink or cocktail with friends. Music varies from house and Latin to 80s and 90s pop.
La Mision, Calle Virgen de Belen, 9, El Barrio , Alicante.
Barrio Havana is a cool place for a drink - get a stool at the bar if you can.
Barrio Havana, Calle Labradores 5, El Barrio, Alicante.
Next door is the Jagger Bar, a cheap and fun bar for a beer or cheeky mojito.
Art lovers should visit Freaks Arts Bar performance venue offering live music, theatre, cinema and art exhibitions along with drinks and dinner.
Freak Arts Bar, Calle Alona 8, Alicante.
A night at the Teatro Principal de Alicante is a must for music and theatre lovers with great dramas, live music, dance and musicals in a grand 19th century building with impressive pillars.
Teatro Principal de Alicante, Plaza Chapi, Alicante.
Art exhibitions and other cultural activities are also held in the old tobacco factory, Las Cigarreras, which is an impressive building with plenty of space for artistic events, including a vertical garden.
Las Cigarreras, Calle San Carlos 78, Alicante.
Bars with beach views
You might want to wander along the iconic Explanada de Espana, with its paving made of coloured tiles to look like waves, which has a wide range of places to eat and drink, to head out of El Barrio to the beach or marina.
Along the Explanada is also an open-air theatre, La Concha, shaped like a shell to produce fabulous acoustics. This is the scene for many concerts. In summer it is the scene for festivals including Alacant Rock and Folklorico International with music and dancing from around the world.
A cool way to spend an evening is by the beach or marina. In the summer Postiguet beach has some chiringuitos or beach bars so you can stick your toes in the warm sand while enjoying a refreshing drink.
But one of the key places to go is the chic marina, home to gorgeous yachts, stylish bars and a casino.
Casino Mediterraneo Alicante is an exciting and fun night out where you can easily spend many hours trying the different games and entertainment on offer. The casino has plenty of slots and gaming tables as well as a poker table, fine restaurant serving gorgeous cuisine and art exhibitions.
Casino Mediterraneo Alicante, Muelle Marina Deportiva, Alicante
Looking back over the town and the imposing Santa Barbara Castle, there is an old wooden sailing ship to your left. The Santisima Trinidad is a full-size replica of an 18th Spanish ship, which was the heaviest-armed ship in the world when she was renovated around 1802 to carry 140 guns.
You can have a drink in the outside or inside deck or a meal in the restaurant to find out what life was like on board a ship nearly 300 years ago.
Santisima Trinidad, Puerto de Alicante, Alicante
Alicante marina is great for a cocktail, a cold jug of sangria or seafood overlooking the Mediterranean. Venues to try include:
Noray Cafe-Bar for fabulous views of the boats and the castle while enjoying tapas, ice-cream and drinks. This is a top spot for a drink before dinner or sundowner.
Noray Cafe Bar, Paseo Conde Vallellano, Alicante.
You can dance the night away at Oceanus Lounge Club with its great DJs and sounds.
Oceanus Lounge Bar, Muelle de Levante, 7, Alicante.
If you love to dance, the oddly-named Capitan Haddock could be right up your street, particularly if you love salsa.
Capitan Haddock, Muelle de Levante 6, Alicante.
The best parties and music can be found at the trendy Marmarela Mediterranean Cocktail Club with its beautiful setting on the marina. There's live music, DJs, a pool, two terraces and a restaurant serving Mediterranean and Alicante food. There’s even a VIP section for the local celebrities – and those who want to rub shoulders with the stars.
Marmarela Mediterranean Cocktail Club, Muelle Levante, 14, Alicante
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Millions of holidaymakers head for Benidorm each year, with its beautiful sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife being major attractions.
Benidorm is a beach city which never sleeps and manages to cater for many, diverse tastes. Benidorm’s entertainment rolls on from dawn to dusk with talented tribute bands, karaoke kings and queens, cabaret, drag shows and gay bars creating a raucous – and sometimes – raunchy vibe.
Whether you fancy a wild pub crawl, a casual night out or a glamorous evening, Benidorm will come up trumps.
You may find a favourite spot to return to time after time but we would highly recommend you venture out into Benidorm to try several of its world-class entertainment venues.
Music and magic in Benidorm
Benidorm has been dubbed the Spanish Manhattan because of the high number of skyscrapers in the resort. However, it could also be called Spain’s answer to New York as it is certainly a city which never sleeps.
Even at breakfast-time you can hear music pumping from some of the bars or a crooner blasting out their favourite hits on the karaoke machine.
But Benidorm’s entertainment scene really shines at night when the lights are on which makes the skyline showing the silhouettes of the skyscrapers particularly impressive.
Some of the best tribute bands can be seen performing in the bars along the Levante beach promenade and in the English Quarter.
Elvis, Michael Jackson, Meatloaf, Adele, Abba, Queen and the Blues Brothers come to life on an almost daily basis in Benidorm. Some of the tribute acts are truly polished performers but all have one desire – to get Benidorm on its feet to get the party started!
In and around the English quarter, the Ambassador Hotel, Morgan's Tavern and Sinatra's are great places to enjoy live music.
If you prefer a beach view, Heartbreak Rock Bar and Daytona on Avenida Madrid in front of Levante beach have tribute bands and other live music.
Another popular live music venue along Avenida Madrid is Tiki Beach, which is one of the liveliest beach bars in Benidorm. It’s perfect for cocktails or a few cool beers after a day on the beach. As well as music you may also find Yanni the street magician performing some really great tricks at your table.
The Rock and Roll House in the Rincon de loix district (near Benidorm Palace) is a great venue for fans of the 50s.
However, there are hundreds of bars offering live music in Benidorm, so you could just go for a wander to stop at the one that takes your fancy.
A slice of home in Benidorm’s English Quarter
When you head for the English Quarter, which is a few streets running behind Levante beach, you can see why Benidorm is often described as Blackpool with sunshine.
It’s largely made up of British holidaymakers making themselves at home in the British bars. The only difference is in the price. Here you will find bars offering John Smith’s bitter at knockdown prices, a euro a pint, happy hours, all-day English breakfasts and a cracking Sunday roast with all the trimmings.
It may seem familiar to you as this part of Benidorm stars in the TV comedy Benidorm. The Sol Pelicanos Ocas hotel is the all-inclusive Solana while Morgan’s Tavern features as Neptune in the series.
With so many bars, discoes and restaurants in the Quarter, this is the perfect place for a good old British pub crawl.
Popular spots are Morgan's Tavern and Rockefellers for live entertainment while the younger crowd tend to head for the Hippodrome Disco Pub for great music and dancing.
Enjoy a taste of Spain in Benidorm’s Old Town
For a flavour of Spain in Benidorm, the old town is the place to go. It has a lovely mix of shops, bars, discos and restaurants among its narrow, cobbled streets.
For entertainment, the old town is well-known for its drag shows and gay bars. It’s another great area for wandering around from bar to bar or sitting on an outside terrace and people watching.
One of the best acts to see is international female impersonator Jordan Rivers performing at the Rich Bitch Showbar in the old town. It’s great value for money, incredibly funny and the costumes are divine!
Rich Bitch Showbar
Calle del Pal 4
Open from 9pm to 2am
Closed Tuesdays
http://www.richbitchshowbar.com/
Hurrah for Cabaret in Benidorm
If cabaret takes your fancy, a night out at the Benidorm Palace needs to be planned into your trip.
In the past, the popular Benidorm Palace has been voted the best cabaret theatre nightclub in Europe – and the venue continues to put in the razzle dazzle with its great shows, singers and dancers.
You can enjoy the complete dinner-show package or just the theatre show. The Palace also regularly puts on concerts by great singers from the world of music.
Benidorm Palace
Avda Doctor Severo Ochoa 13
info@benidorm-palace.com
+34 965 851 660
http://www.benidorm-palace.com/
Nearby is the well-known Levi’s Showboat with hilarious acts including drag acts, singers, comedy and dancing. It can be bit risqué and isn’t for the faint-hearted but it is a scream.
For something a bit different in Benidorm
A glitzy night out can be enjoyed at the Casino Mediterraneo Benidorm which opened in 2014.
It's a massive gambling venue with many slot machines to try your luck or you can settle down at one of the tables to play Black Jack, American roulette or poker.
Sports fans will love the casino as it has many television screens to follow the major events as well as sports betting booths where you can have a flutter.
The casino hosts tournaments on the first floor where there is also an art exhibition showcasing local artists.
Casino Mediterraneo Benidorm
Avenida Mediterraneo 55
casinos@casinosdelmediterraneo.es
+34 902 332 141
http://www.casinomediterraneo.es/
Open from 10am to 4am from Sunday to Thursday and from 10am to 5am on Fridays and Saturdays.
A visit to Spain would not seem complete without witnessing the passion and emotion of flamenco.
Shows are often shown in bars in Benidorm.
You are most likely to find a flamenco show in one of the tapas bars in Benidorm old town. Alternatively, Cerveceria El Andaluz in Calle Esperanto regularly holds flamenco shows. Book a table, order some tapas and get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions during your evening.
finca costa blanca holiday house spain
country side beach sun
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