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By William Eaton
Estepona offers numerous bars with music in the town centre. William Eaton provides a guide to a wide array of venues ranging from those open during the day and on into evening to the latest of the late night clubs.
Sports Bars
Big Burger Bar
This bar is located on Calle Real but it is also accessible from the sea front side. This is a very English-style sports bar which also offers good English bar food. The Big Burger Bar is reasonably priced and good for sports. It does close early by Spanish “nightlife standards”.
Suggested arrival time: Day time
4 Friends
Located in the port of Estepona in the front lower part on the west half (go down into the lower part of the port and turn right under the bridge, halfway down the front). This is a new sports bar, very comfortable, nice sofas, friendly English staff. Pricing is reasonable with good food and good selection on the menu including roasts on Sundays. They have karaoke on Saturday and Sunday nights which attracts families. This bar is best in the day or evening. They also do English breakfasts, open most of the day, every day.
Will’s arrive time: Day time
Town Bars (calle real)
The bars in the town are generally less expensive as they are geared to a local crowd as opposed to tourists. This is a great area to visit to see something different, including more than one positively unique bar.
Tolone
This very nice establishment is less of a bar more of a cocktail lounge. It is located at the very end of Calle Real away from the port. Tolone specialises in speciality cocktails, milkshakes, coffee, and teas. This is for all ages and the atmosphere allows everyone to mix quite easily. The bar itself is really small so most of the tables are outside. This is not only great in the summer, but also in winter, thanks to heaters. This place is very popular so you can often find that you can’t get in, but it’s well worth the try for the very reasonably priced, fancy drinks. We recommend the alcoholic coffees and milkshakes not readily available elsewhere. They also do snacks such as nachos and cheese and hot sandwiches, also excellent.
Will’s arrive time: Day time and before a night out
Bar Caleu
This bar on Real street (calle Real) is right next to Tolone and is split into two buildings. One is a lounge cocktail bar and is slightly sophisticated, whereas the other is an American/irish themed bar, smaller and quite different. Bar Caleu is spread out over three floors in an intriguing layout. This is very much an early bar for some drinks in an environment where you can talk. It’s surprisingly inexpensive with Spanish music and staff who speak both English and Spanish.
Will’s arrive time: 10pm
La Bulla
Also located on Calle Real, this is an “early night club”. This is an excellent venue to enjoy after enjoying drinks and good conversation with friends, once you feel ready to dive into the later phases of Estepona nightlife. La Bulla is quite loud but with good music. Prices are generally on par with average port prices. This venue is more popular with the Spanish, not many English in here.
Will’s arrive time: 1am
Port/Marina Bars
The port is a good 10/15mins walk away from the centre of town but once you get there you will find everything you need for a good night. The port is literally a big cluster of bars, lounges, coffee shops, ice cream parlours, restaurants, early and late nightclubs. You can literally enter the port at 8pm and be entertained until 7am (tried and tested!).
O’Donoghues Irish Pub
Located next to the supermarket “OpenCor”. This is a nice bar to start your night, but you can happily stay all night (O’Donoghues closes at around 5am). This is one of the bigger bars in the Estepona port and serves a wide variety of drinks. The bar staff are very friendly with an atmosphere to match. This pub stages a quiz night every Wednesday in English and Spanish. Also sometimes there is a band providing live music on a Thursday. Staff are Spanish and English speaking.
Will’s arrive time: 10pm – 1am
El Duende
This is a trendy, very Spanish flamenco bar with mostly Spanish music. It is reasonably priced with lots of space, including two floors and patio. On Saturday nights it is Ladies’ Night at El Duende when ladies have free entrance and men pay 10€ to get in. This is both a bar and an “early” night club.
Will’s arrive time: 1am
La Bomba
This bar is located in the higher part of the port near the Irish pub. This bar has a very South American feel to it with music to match. There is quite often live music involving exotic singers and dancers. Prices are average with plenty of seating including sofas.
Will's arrive time: 10pm
Early Nightclubs
In the port, the following bars/clubs are “early nightclubs”. These venues feature music and dancing but may also offer the opportunity to relax on the terrace. You will not find these bars busy until 2am and most close at 5am.
Atico
This venue has a large plant-filled terrace with seating available. The music at Ático tends to be current Spanish favourites, which can include English language music. This is one of the busier, more popular Estepona nightclub and does fall in the pricier range. This is a nice place to be in the summer and also winter, thanks to trendy terrace heaters.
Will's arrive time: 2am
Peoples
This popular nightclub is directly across from Ático. Peoples has a small indoor dance floor and a terrace with ample seating. Top music hits in Spain are features, which means that both Spanish and international music is usually on the agenda. While this club does not have beer on tap, you can order Estrella Spanish beer by the bottle.
Will's arrive time: 2am
Palm Beach Puerto
This is the “port sister” of the Palm Beach chiringuito (beach bar restaurant). The Palm Beach Puerto is especially attractive to foreigners and Spaniards who enjoy their company. Music is international and similar to what is played in UK nightclubs. There is a great atmosphere in this bar with friendly staff who generally speak English. This bar also has a patio but it is not as well used as the other three. The music definitely makes up for this though.
Will's arrive time: 2am
Pub Budas
This is yet another popular nightclub. Pub Budas is large with a good size terrace. At 3:00 a.m. the dance floor is usually packed thanks to a fantastic mix of world-famous dance music. Prices are average for a port venue.
Will’s arrive time: 2am
Late nightclubs
These clubs open late with many clients arriving at around 4:00 in the morning and doors staying open until the break of day at around 7:00 a.m. From here it’s straight to breakfast.
Milonga
This nightclub enjoys an excellent location in the port. The entry fee is 10€ and the music is good. Drinks are reasonably priced for a nightclub and they do offer a stamp service if you want to leave and come back.
Will's arrive time: 5am
Plató 68 Nightclub, in Estepona
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