The second "rough" guide to bars in Murcia.



Going out in Muria City is great fun if you're English.

If you like you can do the 'Brit' thing (Go out at 7.00p.m. and be home in bed at 1.00a.m. the worse for wear) it's more interesting to try to be 'continental' in Murcia. Most places in Murcia don't liven up until around 1.30a.m. so you'll miss a lot of action if you're in bed too early.

Here's a good tip: To do justice to your night in Murcia City adjust your body timer to a Spanish night out by simply changing your watch by a couple of hours. Don't consider going to a "real" Murcia bar before 11pm. Earlier on, if you want to be out and about why not have a coffee in Plaza Cardenal Belluga (next to the Cathedral) and admire the beautiful floodlit Cathedral. from the terrace. You could thenamble down to the Hotel Rincon de Pepe (Apostoles, 34) for a cocktail in the "La Muralla" bar, one of the few places in Murcia where you can see Murcia's original Arab Walls.

This is the 2nd article in this guide. Here's an additional selection of some of the more interesting bars in Murcia City.

Tasca Gao (17 Calle Canovas del Castillo.) Off the wall place that specialises in miniature bottles of spirits (duh.. hurts my

head..) . Popular venue for people on stag and hen parties in fancy dress at weekend.

Sala Univesal (1 Avenida Juan Carlos.)Brash and exciting - a well known bar in Murcia. There are several rooms playing

different sounds so something for everyone here...

El Mentidero (3 Saavedra Fajardo. Tel. 968 223 533) Trying to escape from the techno music in all the Spanish clubs then El Mentidero is the same as the rest. Lively bar with a dance floor and is open till 3am. It's adjacent to the

University.

Kallejon (Calle Ceuti, Poligono Insustrial Atalayas) Nearly all the clubs in Murcia are outside the city centre due to restrictions on noise levels. Kallejon is no exception. There are two dance floors where you can hear music ranging from Spanish pop to commercial techno

rubbish (only my opinion). It only opens Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (very late).

DNC Dance Club (Puerta Nueva, Edificio Centrofama. Tel. ) This place claims to be the only true club in Murcia city centre. Located in the busy university zone. This is a really busy spot during term time. Here we get house music and standard pop set in an atmosphere with trendy d'cor. You get a free first drink with your entry fee.

Mundaka Club (26 Carretera Santa Catalina.) Maybe the most buzzing club in Murcia, playing

Seventies disco and dance. There are 3 rooms with different styles that accommodate most types. Fridays and Saturdays are stop out nights from 2am-6.30am. (Now see why you need to pace yourself?)

La Codiga (Gran V'a Alfonso X ) One of the more "local" bars in Murcia City. Latin rhythms abound in this club.

Chest wigs and medallions are optional ;-)

Kennedy Bar (Callej'n de Berruezo.) Cracking Irish bar that's popular all day long. Get down here for some Guinness and premiership footy. Fantastic variety of other ales also. They have live comedy shows on

Wednesdays. BOGOF on drinks when soccer matches are on.

La Puerta Falsa (5 Calle San Mart'n de Porres.) Bar with a relaxed atmosphere with live jazz and/or rock music from local groups. Also features regularly changing exhibitions of paintings on the walls.

Gospel (15 Enrique Villar. Tel. 968 203 234) The young crowd hit this lively city centre pub. The sounds range from

Jazz to Blues to Rock. Stays open until 3am.

Los Cuatro Gatos (12 Calle Alfaro.) is next to the Roman Theatre. Here we have live music and sometimes features comedians on stage. Nice place this.

Utopia (7 Vel?zquez.) Very different bar and is described by the owners as a bar-theatre. The interesting d'cor is a copy of theatrical scenery. Utopia has all kinds of acts on stage ranging from actors reading monologues to musicians and small rock bands. After the live stuff it's mainly rock, blues and Britpop music.

Fuente Alamo (Carretera N301, Fuente ?lamo.) Unusually for pubs in Murcia this is a Wild West theme pub with

cowboy outfits and saloon-style bars. It's actually a really good night out if you're in the mood for a lively one!!.

Royal Palace (17 Carretera Santa Catalina.) Royal Palace is open until4am. This massive place is housed in a complex that can

hold up to 2,000 guests. the music is fairly varied but inevitably, Latino rhythms dominate.

Sala Fluid (Orilla de Azarbe.) Another techno rubbish place that's open until around 6am. Maybe get some strong coffee

before going in if you want to make it through the night. Brilliant array of cocktails available, but take it easy or the legs may not stand the pace..

That just about covers it for the second article on bars in Murcia City. There's plenty to be going on with anyway.. Should you visit any other Murcia clubs that you think deserve a mention then email me and let me have details. Cheers!!