Benidorm Nightlife
From a quiet drink in the sun to live music, cabaret and nights that don't finish early
Benidorm has a night out for just about everyone. You can start with a drink overlooking Levante Beach, spend the evening watching live entertainment or head towards the Strip and English Square when you're ready for something livelier.
And you don't have to be out until sunrise to enjoy it. There are plenty of places for couples, groups and anyone who simply wants a few drinks and some entertainment without turning the night into a marathon.
This guide will take you through the main nightlife areas, what kind of atmosphere to expect and a few of the places and experiences we think are worth knowing about.
The Strip & English Square
The place to head when you want the livelier side of Benidorm
If you're looking for busy bars, music and a lively atmosphere, the area around the Strip and English Square is one of the best-known places to start.
Things tend to get busier as the evening goes on, with plenty of bars and entertainment within a relatively small area. That makes it easy to have a wander and find somewhere that suits you rather than planning every stop before you leave the hotel.
It's certainly not the quiet side of Benidorm, but that's exactly why people come here. If you want music, drinks and plenty going on around you, you'll find it here.
Drinks Along Levante Beachfront
Sea views, sunshine and an easy way to start your Benidorm night
Not every Benidorm night out needs to start after dark. Levante beachfront is one of our favourite places for an afternoon drink that somehow turns into the start of the evening.
There are plenty of bars along and around the promenade where you can grab a drink, enjoy the sea view and watch Benidorm go by. The atmosphere can be lively, particularly when the resort is busy, but it feels very different from heading straight into the Strip.
It's a good option if you want to ease into the night – although Benidorm does have a habit of turning “just the one” into something slightly longer!
Catch Some Live Music & Cabaret
You don't need a nightclub to have a late night in Benidorm
One of the best things about Benidorm nightlife is the amount of live entertainment on offer. On a typical night you'll find everything from singers and tribute acts to comedy, cabaret and shows playing at venues around the resort.
A lot of the entertainment is concentrated around the Levante and Rincón de Loix areas, making it easy to move between venues and see what takes your fancy.
We'd recommend checking what's on when you're actually in Benidorm rather than planning every show weeks in advance. Line-ups and performance times can change, and sometimes the best nights are the ones you hadn't planned at all.
Spend an Evening in Benidorm Old Town
Tapas, little bars and a more traditional side of Benidorm
If the Strip isn't your idea of a night out, head towards Benidorm Old Town. The atmosphere is completely different, with narrow streets, small bars, restaurants and plenty of places to stop for a drink.
One of the best-known spots is the area often called Tapas Alley, where you can wander between bars and enjoy a few tapas along the way. It's particularly good when you fancy making food part of the evening rather than heading straight out for drinks.
We like the fact that you can have a quieter night here or use it as the starting point before wandering back towards the livelier side of Benidorm later on.
Keep Going into the Early Hours
For the nights when you're definitely not ready for bed
If a few drinks and some live entertainment aren't enough, Benidorm has plenty of options for carrying on into the early hours.
You'll find late-night bars around the livelier parts of Levante, while some of Benidorm's larger clubs are located away from the main beachfront area. What's busy can depend on the night and time of year, so it's worth seeing where the atmosphere takes you rather than relying on an old list of “best clubs”.
And if everyone else wants to keep going while you've had enough, there's absolutely nothing wrong with calling it a night. Benidorm will still be there tomorrow!
Our Kind of Benidorm Night
A few drinks, a bit of entertainment and absolutely no need for a timetable
After all these years of visiting Benidorm, we've learnt that some of the best nights are the ones you don't plan too much.
We might start with a drink at Uncle Peds, a little sun trap just off the Strip, or have a chill-out in the Explorers Club before the busier part of the evening begins.
Other times, we'll head down towards Levante beachfront, find somewhere for a drink and simply see where the night takes us. That's part of what we love about Benidorm – you don't need an itinerary for a good night out.
Everyone eventually finds their own favourite places. These are just a few of ours.
Enjoy Your Night Out Safely
A little common sense goes a long way
Benidorm is somewhere to relax and enjoy yourself, but the usual precautions you'd take on any busy night out still make sense.
Keep an eye on your drinks and belongings, don't carry more cash than you need and stick with your group if you've had a few. If you're walking back late, stay aware of your surroundings and use a licensed taxi when you need one.
The Spanish sun can also catch up with you after a day of drinking, so get some water in between the beers and don't forget to eat. Tomorrow's beach day will feel a lot better for it!
Most importantly, know when you've had enough. A great Benidorm night doesn't have to end with you wondering where your shoes went.
Find Your Kind of Benidorm Night
Big night, live entertainment or something more relaxed?
For the Lively Stuff
The Strip & English Square
Head here if you want busy bars, music and plenty of atmosphere. It's easy to move between venues, so have a wander and see where looks good rather than planning the whole night in advance.
For Shows & Live Music
Levante & Rincón de Loix
A good choice if live entertainment is your thing. You'll find plenty of venues around this side of Benidorm offering singers, tribute acts, comedy and cabaret throughout the evening.
For Something More Relaxed
Old Town & the Beachfront
Start with tapas and drinks around the Old Town or find somewhere along the beachfront and watch the world go by. Perfect when you want a good evening without needing a 3am finish.
Ready for a Night Out in Benidorm?
Start somewhere you like the look of and see where the night takes you
There's no single right way to enjoy a night out in Benidorm. You might spend the evening watching live entertainment, head straight for the Strip, wander around the Old Town or simply settle into a beachfront bar and stay longer than you planned.
If it's your first visit, try a few different areas during your holiday. The nightlife around Levante feels very different from an evening in the Old Town, and that's part of the fun.
Don't worry about trying to tick off every bar you've read about before you arrive. Find the places you enjoy, have a good night and make your own Benidorm favourites.