Nightlife

 Live Entertainment   Pubs & Bars   Hotspots
 Discoteques    Something Different?

Like many places along the coast, Almuñécar and La Herradura have a vibrant nightlife to suit people of all tastes but particularly the young and energetic. Liveliest times are the summer months and on big (and not so big) fiestas, while during the rest of the year most people tend to save their energies for the weekends. From techno discoteque to sleepy jazz bar, it only depends on your taste.

Live Entertainment
Frequent live shows are put on around town, everything from classical music through flamenco to rock and jazz. can be found, depending on your luck or choice. Most large hotels have continuous entertainments programmes and numerous bars host live acts, more so in high season. The Casa de Cultura puts on a variety of entertainments throughout the year that includes music and dance. Monthly programmes are available around town and at the tourist office giving details of events.

The Jazz Festival held in the Majuelo park, and the Andrés Segovia International Guitar Competition are two important musical events not to be missed by enthusiasts. See our Calendar for more information.

Though you'll find occasional flamenco acts in the bars and hotels, there is only one permanent tablao in town, called Venta Luciano. Established around 30 years ago, it hosts good dancers and musicians in an atmospheric setting overlooking the chirimoya orchards, barbecue included. Excursions can be booked at hotels and travel agencies or you can reserve yourself (958 63 13 79) and take a taxi or drive. It lies 3 km from Almuñécar along the old road to Granada.

Read our description of Flamenco and find out more about this fascinating art.

Pubs and Evening Bars
Most late night venues don't get started until 22.00 or later, warming up in the early hours and normally closing around three in the morning. Weekends and holidays they close an hour later. In summer, very few people go out before midnight, but then the siesta wasn't invented for nothing.

Whatever your taste, you'll find something to keep you entertained, from salsa bar to English pub. Or if you don't know what you want until you find it, head for one of the hotspots in town and take it from there.

Evening Hotspots
For early evening reunions with friends or family, plus a seat and a tapa, try the Plaza Kelibia. Half a dozen bars run the popular open-air terraces where you can get a drink and a snack into the early hours. Starting later, the younger crowd can follow louder music in the beach bars on the Bajos del Paseo, below the Phoenician statue. This oasis of palm trees and thatched roofs is busy most weekends and packed in summer. Further to the east, between Almuñécar and Playa Velilla, the daytime aquapark turns into nightclub and discoteque after dark, very popular in the heat of summer. Parking can be hard so it's best to walk from town or take a taxi.

In La Herradura, most activity takes place on the beach, the evening usually commencing in one of the bars or restaurants in front of the pueblo and then continuing on to one of the handful of music bars which lie to the west, nearer the river.

Discoteques
And when the rest of the world has had enough, there's still music to wake you up and wear you out. Discoteques are open until atleast four or five o'clock in the morning, later in summer. Following popular convention, the music is so numbingly loud in most places that conversation is clearly not a good reason for going. But who wants to chat? Afterwards, if you make it that far, why not try a typical Spanish breakfast of chocolate and churros while watching the sunrise.

Something Different?
For a completely different atmosphere, far from the madding crowd, check out the outside gardens at the Albayzín del Mar. Extensive terraces, patios and different seating areas, including bars and a restaurant, surround a large swimming pool and waterfall. The atmosphere is elegant and relaxed, and a refreshing respite from the summer's heat. Entrance is through the main hotel foyer, half way up the Avenida Costa del Sol.