Entertainment in Cyprus
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K-Cineplex
The best cinema experience to hit Lefkosia, 2.5km out of the city in Strovolos. Sporting multiple screens, K-Cineplex runs all the latest-release movies and provides movie-goers with ample parking, a cafeteria and hi-tech sight-and-sound systems.
reviewed
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Notes Studio
If you're serious about experiencing Cyprus (or at least the Greek part), then a bouzouki club is a must. And what great fun it is too. Notes Studio specialises in live performances, bringing over Greek performers, who throw themselves about (and you, if you let them) until dawn. It's your chance to try yourself at Zorba the Greek dancing, but beware: strong thighs are necessary. Your first drink is included in the admission price.
reviewed
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A
Sesto Senso
The in-est place in town, where the crowd is so beautiful and admiring of itself, it finds it hard to dance. The décor is also beautiful, and the drinks are expensive (which is not so beautiful), but if you want to see who's in and what it's all about, check this place out. If they let you in, that is. Aside from the whole looks thing, the sounds in this place are the best in town if you like good dance music.
reviewed
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B
Draught
This bar is in the Old Carob Mill complex. The Carob Mill people seem to know what they're doing, don't they? Once an ultra-fashionable place, Draught is a bit less maniacally sought after now. That means it's a pleasant place to have a drink, while it still has a nice buzz; it gets really busy only on weekends. Massive copper vats line the wall, where the decent in-house ale is brewed.
reviewed
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Alfabet
Previously the Abyss club, Alfabet has the admiring crowd screaming when Robbie Williams and Tina Turner impersonators burst onto the stage along with fire-eaters and other circus performances. There's a large dance floor and an outdoor chill-out zone. This is one of the biggest clubs in town and has a mix of house, R & B, old school and garage. Look out for foam parties.
reviewed
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C
Encounters
This is the best place in town for a dance-till-you-drop night out. Once known as Memphis, Encounters has now multiplied and is two places in one: Topaz, on the 1st floor with banging progressive house; and Club Deep, on the second floor, with mainstream, chart, R & B, hip-hop, you name it. The dance floor is on fire when guest DJs from Cyprus and abroad are in town.
reviewed
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Belediye Pazarı Nargileh Bars
A popular drinking area in the Old City is behind the Belediye Pazarı inside the restored old market building. Resembling a kind of warehouse, with tall ceilings and low-hanging lamps, the space has a pretty, modern look. There are several bars inside, and the rather young clientele is keen on the nargileh-sucking. It's lively and fun for a drink in the Old City.
reviewed
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X.U.
What does X.U. stand for? No idea, but a bit of mystery is always a good thing. Not that this place needs it; it's hip and popular enough as it is. A massive aquarium has techno-loving fish blowing bubbles over the central bar, surrounded by sofas and gentle lighting. DJs from London come and let their tunes loose on a house, hip-hop and R & B dancing crowd.
reviewed
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Cinema Nostalgi Bar
On the northern side of town, this is perhaps the most popular of bars on North Nicosia's rock scene. Live music is on most evenings, but there is no cinema here - it's all in the name. The son of the North's Prime Minister, Mehmet Ali Talat, has been playing gigs here (he's a singer in a local rock band), so a bit of local celebrity spotting can be done too.
reviewed
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D
Aquafront
A large veranda with iron chairs and velvety sofas, surrounded by flowers. It's a quieter drinking spot for cocktails than those on the promenade, and it serves food too. The sea is right in front of you, and things don't get much better than a nice drink in the evening breeze. There's a barbecue night every Wednesday (during the summer, that is).
reviewed
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Bailey
An Irish pub seems inevitable nowadays, wherever you go. And the Bailey's inevitability is increased by its size and popularity. It's decorated so well (or so Irish) that you may forget what country you're in after a few bevvies. There's plenty to wet your whiskers: draught beer, ale, Guinness, booze and more booze.
reviewed
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E
Club S-cape
Two enormous bars (less queuing) and a seated chill-out area mean that once you're danced out, there's plenty of space to rest. Be present for the weekly carwash disco parties (prepare to be sudsed and rinsed!) and enjoy classic tracks from the '70s and '80s, and house music and R & B on the new sound system.
reviewed
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F
Castle Club
Housed in a hideous mock castle, this place can take up to 2000 people. And there are still queues outside during the summer. There are three separate areas - two dance and one chill-out space - and the music mix is the ever-popular formula of house, R & B, old school and garage.
reviewed
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G
Baywatch
If bright-green cushioned chairs, pool playing, and large-breasted waitresses are your thing, then this is the place for you. All the tables are facing the street for yet more visual stimulation, and the cocktails just keep on coming. There's also an internet cafe here.
reviewed
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Rogmes Piano Bar
A highly praised bouzouki bar. It has a mad, wonderful tempo on weekend nights when the musicians stay and play as loud and as late as the crowd wants it, like in the good old days. Book a table on Saturdays when the locals pour inside for singing and dancing 'til dawn.
reviewed
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H
Plato's
Hidden inside an old house, this place feels like a jazz joint or a bistro that wouldn't be out of place in Montmartre. Beer from all over the world is served, but only to those who are respectably dressed: no shorts or T-shirts allowed (miniskirts are OK, though).
reviewed
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I
Club Insomnia
'I can't get no sleep' reads the sign outside, like the Faithless hit. This is the place where nightaholics can always seek predawn solace and more drinks. Advertising 'quality chill-out time' and 'happy sunshine music', Club Insomnia is for serious all-nighters.
reviewed
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K-Cineplex
Six screens, stereo surround sound, supercomfortable reclining seats, Hollywood blockbusters. There is a bowling alley, Irish pub and a restaurant within the complex. It's a five- to 10- minute taxi ride to the west of the city centre near the Kamares aqueduct.
reviewed
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J
Graffiti Bar
Silky drops hang over cushioned sofas in a very Middle Eastern style. Nargileh smoke billows over the cocktail-drinking customers, and the garden where all this happens is behind an old mansion that the becomes the bar's location during the winter months.
reviewed
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K-Cineplex
As in Lefkosia and Larnaka, the cinema scene in Lemesos is now dominated by the multiscreen K-Cineplex, which features many new-release movies. It's in the middle of the tourist centre and is best reached by taxi. See the website for current showings.
reviewed
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K
La Place Royale
One of the classiest café-cum-bars, right on the people-watching strip at the eastern end of Posidonos. This little oasis of glass, cane and wrought iron in a shaded paved patio is perfect for a prepub or preclub cocktail.
reviewed
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L
Hammam
This heavenly old colonial house, with a grand arched door and beautifully tiled floors, is perfect for sitting under the stars and sipping a cocktail beneath the aromatic fig tree. The music is good and the atmosphere relaxed.
reviewed
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M
Mikro Café
A great place for coffee or booze, with wooden chairs and tables under the pine trees, and fabulous pastrami-and-smoked-cheese walnut-bread sandwiches. There's a children's playground close by, so it's ideal if you have kids.
reviewed
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N
Carwash
Two London DJs take the party-goers through a mix of hits from the '70s and '80s from their VW Beetle deck room. Massive queues outside confirm the words of the management that Carwash 'is more like a party than a club'.
reviewed
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Starsky & Hutch
It's all about the TV series here, with glitzy décor, sequins and zebra stripes. Diana Ross, ABBA and other '70s biggies dominate the playlist - before you come here, make sure you remember the moves to 'YMCA'.
reviewed