Alicante Entertainment

Alicante is well known for its nightlife and is a great place for those who like to party after a day's sightseeing and relaxing on the beach. There is a good mix of cafés, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, with the old town being the liveliest area. The area close to the port is renowned for its stylish clubs and bars.

There is also an interesting music and theatre scene, with choices ranging from opera to techno.

Nightlife

Alicante, like many of the towns in this region, has a lively nightlife scene with a great reputation among people looking to party. There is also a good range of nightlife options here. The old town, El Barrio, is especially popular as a nighttime destination. Here you can find plenty of cafés, bars, and restaurants with music including rock, salsa and jazz.

The area between Explanada and Alfonso El Sabio, close to the port, is another area known for its nightlife. The bars and restaurants here are slightly more sophisticated, and have some of the town’s trendiest nightclubs. Bar Potato is one of the most popular bars here, and they also serve some great tapas. This area is nicknamed ‘The Wood Route’ (La ruta de la Madera), due to the wooden saloon style design of some of the bars.

The most famous nightclubs are Beachcomber and Hippodrome, they are always packed with people attracted by the relaxed fun atmosphere and the dance music. Before heading to the clubs, many people start in a smaller bar for a few drinks. Cosmopolitan, in the area close to the port, is small but fun and they have karaoke every night.

As is the case in most of Spain, people tend to eat very late, and as a result bars and clubs don’t start to get busy until well after midnight. It’s a good idea to take an afternoon siesta to prepare yourself for a good night out.

Theatre and music

Anytime you visit Alicante, there is likely to be a theatre production you can enjoy. There are a number of traditional theatres in the town, set in some of the older buildings. The Principal Theatre, located on Plaze de Ruperto Chapi, is the most famous theatre here. The theatre opened in 1847, and the building is a beautiful example of the classic Spanish architectural style of that time. There is usually a show playing here, whether it is theatre, dance, or opera, and there are booklets detailing the schedule available from all news-stands in Alicante.

Aside from the theatre Alicante has many cinemas showing the latest blockbusters, and some of the older classics. The Minicines Astoria, an old style cinema in the old town, is especially popular.

Alicante also has a good music scene, with a wided range of concerts, with classical and modern among the many options. The open-air concerts at the Paseo de Explanada Music Pavilion are a great tradition in Alicante and much loved by tourists and locals alike. The beautiful open-air setting helps to enhance the atmosphere and your enjoyment of the concert.

If you are into dance and techno music then the Metro Dance Club is the place to head for at the weekend. Saturdays are usually rave parties, with Sundays often for local DJs. They also attract international DJs, particularly in the busy summer season. Metro Dance Club is situated close to Plaza Menéndez Pelayo.

Festivals

Alicante has a busy events calendar, with music festivals and special events held regularly, especially in the busy tourist season. Among the most significant are:

• The Alicante Amateur Theatre Festival takes place every September in the Principal Theatre. The festival was established in 1988 and has a vast range of performances by local amateur theatre groups. The performances can be hit and miss, but there are certainly a number of excellent and interesting productions each year.
• Every December Alicante sees a colourful procession through the town, in memory of the battles between the Moors and Christians in years gone by. Local people wear period costumes and re-enact the battles.
• The most famous festival in Alicante is June’s Hogueras de San Juan, to celebrate St John’s night. At midnight there is a huge and impressive fireworks display at the castle, and there are bonfires all around town.
• The Marionette Theatre Festival is one of the most interesting in Alicante, taking place in the Town Hall every November/December, with great entertainment for children and adults alike.