Benidorm Nightlife Guide: Bars, Clubs, and the Legendary Strip
Say “Benidorm” to anyone who’s been, and nightlife is usually the first thing they mention. This is a resort town with over 40 nightclubs and hundreds of bars packed into a few square kilometres, a place that’s been the go-to for British and Irish holidaymakers for decades and shows zero signs of slowing down. But Benidorm’s after-dark scene isn’t just one big loud strip — it splits into distinct areas with completely different personalities, and knowing which is which makes the difference between a great night and one spent wandering the wrong street.
Here’s the full breakdown of where to go, what to expect, and how to have a good (and safe) night out in Benidorm.
The Strip (Calle Gerona): Benidorm’s Nightlife Heart
If there’s one place that defines Benidorm nightlife, it’s Calle Gerona — universally known as “the Strip.” Running parallel to the beach just a couple of streets back, it’s wall-to-wall bars, tribute acts, karaoke nights, and late-night clubs, and it’s the busiest, loudest, most unapologetically Benidorm stretch in the whole resort.
By day the Strip looks almost sleepy. By 9 or 10pm it’s transformed — tribute bands and cover acts fire up in the bigger bars, karaoke hosts start warming up crowds, and the street fills with a mix of stag and hen parties, families out for an early evening drink, and groups bar-hopping before heading to a club. Morgan’s Tavern, made famous by the ITV sitcom Benidorm, sits right on the Strip and remains one of its most photographed stops, alongside long-running names like Chaplin’s, Stardust, and Rockefellers.
Good to know: the Strip gets loud and crowded fast, especially after 11pm in peak summer. It’s the right call if you want the classic, high-energy Benidorm night out; it’s not the place for a quiet drink.
English Square and the New Town
Just off the Strip sits English Square — sometimes called the beating heart of British Benidorm — packed with bars showing live football and Sky Sports, karaoke rooms, and tribute venues. This area, along with the wider New Town and Rincón de Loix, is where you’ll find most of the resort’s British and Irish-themed pubs: think two-for-one drink deals, big screens, bingo nights, and line dancing at spots like The Red Dog Saloon. It’s loud, familiar, and exactly what a lot of visitors come to Benidorm for.
Levante Beach: Sundowners and Terrace Bars
For a slightly calmer start to the evening, the bars lining Levante Beach are the move. These terrace spots face straight out to the Mediterranean, and while the drinks run a touch pricier than the Strip, you’re paying for the view and the space. Expect acoustic sets and small live bands rather than full-blown tribute shows, making it a good fit for couples and mixed-age groups who want a proper sundowner before the night gets going. It also pairs naturally with dinner, since many of the promenade’s better restaurants sit right along this same stretch.
Old Town: A Different Side of Benidorm After Dark
Just minutes from the Strip but a world apart in feel, Benidorm’s Old Town offers a far more traditional Spanish night out — narrow cobbled streets, tapas bars, and a noticeably older, more relaxed crowd. If the New Town is where you go to shout along to 90s pop, the Old Town is where you go to actually hear the person next to you talk.
This is also where you’ll find Benidorm’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, concentrated around Calle Cuatro Esquinas and Calle Santa Faç — often referred to as the “gay village.” With well over 30 LGBTQ+ friendly bars and a handful of dedicated clubs, it’s one of the largest and longest-running gay nightlife scenes on the Costa Blanca, dating back to the 1960s. Benidorm Pride, usually held in September, is the biggest date on the calendar, filling the Old Town with parades, drag shows, and open-air parties.
Nightclubs: Where to Dance Until Sunrise
Once the bars start winding down (or the pre-drinks are done), Benidorm’s club scene kicks in — most of it concentrated along Avenida Comunidad Valenciana, a short taxi ride from the centre. The big names include KM Disco, known for its three dancefloors, twelve bars, and legendary foam parties; Penelope Disco and Beach Club, open daily from morning until the early hours with drinks from as little as a couple of euros; and KU Dance Club. Most clubs don’t get going until well after midnight and run through to 5 or 6am, so pace yourself accordingly.
Cabaret and Shows: Benidorm Palace
For something a step removed from the bar-and-club circuit, Benidorm Palace has been a fixture of the resort’s evening entertainment for decades, staging a full dinner-and-cabaret show with elaborate costumes, dancers, and live music — regularly rated among Europe’s top cabaret theatre venues. It’s a popular choice for a proper night out that doesn’t involve queuing for a club, and works well for groups with a mixed range of ages.
You may also hear locals and regulars mention “Sticky Vicky” — a long-running, adults-only novelty act that pops up in various bars around town with no fixed venue. It’s firmly in adult-entertainment territory rather than family-friendly, so it’s worth knowing about mainly so you’re not caught off guard if you stumble into it.
Casino Mediterráneo
If cards and slots are more your scene, the Casino Mediterráneo — a short drive out toward Villajoyosa — offers blackjack, roulette, poker, and a full floor of slot machines for a glitzier alternative to a standard bar crawl.
Tips for a Good (and Safe) Night Out in Benidorm
- Start early if you want a table. The best terrace and Strip bars fill up fast once the sun goes down, especially in July and August.
- Watch your drinks and belongings in busy, crowded bars and clubs — standard resort-town precautions apply.
- Budget for the club cover charges. Many nightclubs have entry fees or drink-inclusive packages, especially on weekends and during peak season.
- Pace your night. Clubs run until 5 or 6am, and it’s easy to underestimate how long a Benidorm night actually goes on for.
- Taxis are plentiful around closing time, and fares between the main nightlife areas are generally modest — useful if you’re moving between the Strip, Old Town, and the clubs on Avenida Comunidad Valenciana.
- Check show and event listings ahead of time if you specifically want to catch Benidorm Palace or a themed club night, as schedules shift seasonally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best area for nightlife in Benidorm? The Strip (Calle Gerona) and English Square in the New Town are the liveliest and most famous nightlife areas, while the Old Town offers a quieter, more traditional alternative.
Where is Benidorm’s gay nightlife scene? It’s centred in the Old Town’s “gay village,” around Calle Cuatro Esquinas and Calle Santa Faç, with more than 30 LGBTQ+ friendly bars and several dedicated clubs.
What time do clubs open in Benidorm? Most nightclubs don’t get busy until after midnight and stay open until around 5 or 6am, so locals and regulars typically start their night with bars and pre-drinks well before heading to a club.
Is Benidorm nightlife family-friendly? Many pubs and bars welcome families for early evening entertainment like karaoke, bingo, and cabaret shows, but the club scene and later-night areas are firmly adults-oriented.
Do I need to book ahead for Benidorm Palace? Booking in advance is recommended, particularly in peak season, since it’s one of the resort’s most popular evening shows.
Final Word
Benidorm’s nightlife earns its reputation honestly — few resort towns pack this much variety into such a small area. Whether you’re after the full-throttle Strip experience, a laid-back sundowner on Levante Beach, a proper Old Town tapas crawl, or a cabaret dinner show, the trick is picking the right area for the night you actually want, not just following the crowd. Match the area to your mood, pace yourself, and Benidorm will happily deliver whichever kind of night you’re after.
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