The Best of Algarve Nightlife
Cool clubs for hot summer nights in the Algarve
Nightlife in the Algarve is not all fado and folkdances. There are plenty of hot summer party spots where you can dance all night long to great sounds. From cool and funky to all out dancing on the tables, there’s pretty much something for everyone, including parties at sea!
Parties by the beach
Being the Algarve, party fun is never too far from the beach or the sea. There are fabulous sunset parties at beach bars and clubs along the coast, with live music and DJs. Full moon parties, colour parties, theme parties for all tastes. Check out Izzys at Praia da Garrão or BJ's Oceanside near Quarteira for chilled beachside dining and live music sessions.These are great front-row beach restaurants with a laid back vibe that is perfect for summer fun. For one of the most unique settings, head for Caniço at Prainha - a fabulous bar and restaurant carved from the beachside cliffs. There is a bar and terrace overlooking the beach and an upper level restaurant. The Shack at Quinta do Lago is another all day party spot - you can eat, drink and dance with a view of the lake and your toes in the sand.
Day to Night Clubs
Nothing says summer quite like a day time party by the sea or pool that segues into nighttime fun.
NoSoloAgua in Portimão, on Praia da Rocha beach, is famous for not only for its sunset parties, it’s also a party hotspot in the west Algarve with dancing, music and fun until dawn. There's an all day restaurant, beach club and pool club. The huge circular pool area is surrounded by day beds that overlook the ocean. NoSoloAgua has regular Brunch Saturdays, sunset sessions from 4pm, Dinner and Show packs as well as all night parties.
For an exclusive experience, make your way to Medusis Club in Vale do Lobo. This glamorous all day pool club restaurant and nightclub offers stylish daytime relaxation, sunset parties, a great menu by Chakall.
Nightlife Hotspots
When the sun goes down the beat goes up. There are bars to suit all tastes in the Algarve, from chilled lounge bars to lively music bars that party into the early hours.
The Strip in Albufeira is known for its hardcore partying with places like Matts Bar pumping out the sounds and the drinks. There's a huge choice of bars along the strip and it gets pretty lively there as the night goes on.
For a more easy pace to start the night, you can kick back at The Beach Bar or sip on cocktails at The Deck, both at the Praça in Vale do Lobo. There is live music on the open air stage every evening during the summer before the party heats up at Monty’s .
Praia da Rocha is another lively nightlife spot, with bars and clubs concentrated in a relatively small space, making bar hopping very easy. As an added bonus, many of the bars overlook the beach. On the Rocks in Praia da Rocha is open all day, changing from a relaxing bar with a fabulous view of the beach to a lively party spot with DJs and live music until dawn.
Vilamoura marina is another good place to start the night with bars interspersed among the restaurants overlooking the yachts.
"Craic!"
For all out, loud fun, it’s hard to beat an Irish bar – and there are plenty in the Algarve, including a few on the marina in Vilamoura. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, a good time is pretty much guaranteed at an Irish bar. Live music, lots of laughter and that intangible ingredient known as “craic”! O’Neill’s in Vilamoura is open all day and moves from a relaxed day time bar serving great food with fab views on the sunny terrace, to an all-singing, all-dancing, foot-stomping, jager-train making Irish bar at night. The Irish Pub is another great live music spot in Vilamoura. The live bands keep the party going and the huge deck has fabulous views of the marina at night. In the western Algarve, look for a real Irish Bar experience at The Black Stove in Alvor and Ireland’s Eye in Praia da Rocha. All these bars are great for watching sport too - you'll never have to miss the big game.
Nightclubs
The nightclub scene in the Algarve only heats up well after midnight and then it parties hard until dawn. The hottest clubs are:
Kiss - one of the oldest and most popular clubs, Kiss is in Albufeira and is home to great parties and entertaiment over three floors.
BLISS - summer clubbing at its best. You can dance beneath the stars or party indoors. There are VIP areas and lounges too. Located near Vilamoura.
LICK - a huge club with different areas - indoor club, lounge bars, VIP areas. LICK is located between Vilamoura and Albufeira.
Dice - right by the casino in Vilamoura, Dice is a great urban club with guest DJs and great sounds.
Le Club - a club with a sea-view. Set by Santa Eulalia beach, just outside Albufeira, this is a stylish club.
Katedral - another beachside nightclub, Katedral is in Praia da Rocha. Laid back yet lively, its a great mix of tourists and visitors, with a relaxed dress-code.
Parties at Sea
In the Algarve, the fun doesn't just happen on land. There are great, adult only, boat parties all summer long that sail at sunset. Watch the sun sink below the sealine and dance on the deck to great sounds with the resident DJs or live music.
Belize Boat Parties by AlgarExperience - stylish boat parties aboard the comfortable Belize catamarans.
Sunset Vibes party by Ocean Quest - chilled sunset sailing parties with live music and cocktails at the bar.
Vilamoura Boat Trips - lively boat parties made for serious partying. Perfect for Stag parties.
photo credit - AlgarExperience
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