Naples Entertainment

  1. Al Barcadero

    Turn left down the steps as you walk towards Borgo Marinaro and you'll find this unpretentious waterfront bar. Grab a beer and watch boat-rowing fishermen and a menacing Mt Vesuvius.

    Read more about Al Barcadero

  2. Aret'a'Palm

    Red velvet curtains, a soaring palm on the piazza and a laid-back crowd of artists, actors and academics who flock here as much for the jazz and blues as for the inspiring wine list. On summer evenings, an elderly man sets up a stall in the piazza and sells cheap beer for those with more thirst than money.

    Read more about Aret'a'Palm

  3. Around Midnight

    One of Naples' most famous jazz clubs, this tiny swinging bolthole features live music six nights out of seven. Concerts are generally mainstream, but the occasional blues band puts in a performance.

    Read more about Around Midnight

  4. Bellini

    The gorgeous 19th-century Bellini theatre is a classic picture in gold and red. Suitably, the repertoire tends to be fairly conservative, with big-budget musicals and classics such as Shakespeare, Manzoni and Oscar Wilde.

    Read more about Bellini

  5. Bourbon Street

    A red-brick slice of New Orleans in Napoli. Smooth American and Italian jazz musicians perform virtually every night to a mixed-age crowd of head-swaying jazz aficionados.

    Read more about Bourbon Street

  7. Cappella della Pietà dei Turchini

    Home to the baroque Orchestra Cappella della Pietà dei Turchini, this deconsecrated church is an evocative venue for classical concert of mostly 17th- and 18th-century Neapolitan works.

    Read more about Cappella della Pietà dei Turchini

  8. Chandelier

    Chandelier is a slick pic of shiny white floors, black walls and a bright-yellow motorbike on show beside the bar. Popular for evening aperitivo , its perma-tanned clientele nibble and chill to house, pop and R&B.

    Read more about Chandelier

  9. Cinema Modernissimo

    The hip and the arty head here for a mix of art house, retro and mainstream flicks. The complex includes a small cinema-themed library and is slap-bang on bar-packed Via Cisterno dell'Olio. Films are dubbed in Italian.

    Read more about Cinema Modernissimo

  10. Cinema Plaza

    Featuring two screens, this cinema is popular with the district's well-heeled denizens, who come here for a film fix of the mostly blockbuster variety.

    Read more about Cinema Plaza

  11. Depot Cruising Bar

    This gay playpen attracts men with one thing on their mind, and it's not Kylie - think skin flicks, cruising maze and dark private cabins. Check the website for themed leather, uniform and naked nights. The club is located just off edgy Piazza Carlo III, so catch a cab home.

    Read more about Depot Cruising Bar

  12. Advertisement

  13. Enoteca Belledonne

    Exposed brick walls, ambient lighting and bottle-lined shelves set the elegant scene at Naples' best-loved wine bar. Grab the savvy wine list and swirl, sniff and sip your way to bliss.

    Read more about Enoteca Belledonne

  14. Farinella

    Skip the restaurant and head straight for the chocolate-toned bar. Here, style-savvy locals nibble on aperitivo gems such as steamy risotto and tapas and kick back with fruity Martini Pleasers.

    Read more about Farinella

  15. Freelovers @ Edenlandia

    Set in a Disney-style theme park, this is a queer summertime favourite. Groove under the stars beside a fairytale castle or crash into a cutie on the dodgem cars. Music is poppy and the vibe is fun. You'll need a taxi to get back into town.

    Read more about Freelovers @ Edenlandia

  16. Freezer

    Blue neon and acid-green walls set the postmodern scene at this Berlin-style bolthole. Dressed to kill in latex and plastic creations, a mixed crowd of extravagant clubbers hits the floor for high-octane house and electronica.

    Read more about Freezer

  17. Fusion Bar 66

    Vintage Turkish lanterns and gilded gold and silver chairs give this place a funky ethnic vibe. A 30-plus crowd spills out onto the street, living it up to jazz, lounge and the occasional live bossa nova act.

    Read more about Fusion Bar 66

  19. Galleria Toledo

    Tucked away in the Quartieri Spagnoli, this is the spot for cutting-edge and experimental new work from local and international playwrights. Occasional film screenings include offbeat international arthouse. Check the website for upcoming events.

    Read more about Galleria Toledo

  20. Grooming

    One in a row of quirky bars, Grooming is a hit with Vomero's rich kids. Under its hanging African masks, they sip aperitifs, snack on panini (sandwiches) and gaze out over city and sea. Head in early for food as it tends to run out.

    Read more about Grooming

  21. Kestè

    A student hot spot, with tables spilling onto the square and a pop painting of San Gennaro above the DJ deck. Monday to Saturday, punters bop to pop, electronica and world beats. Sunday features live blues, folk and jazz.

    Read more about Kestè

  22. Kinky Bar

    Though its name may suggest otherwise, there are no whips and chains here - just a funky smoky cellar pumping out dub and reggae, man. A mainly student crowd packs the place, with overspill packing out the bar-lined street outside.

    Read more about Kinky Bar

  23. La Mela

    Chiaia's 30-something 'It' crowd saunters here for civilised clubbing after drinks at Farinella. DJs spin mainstream sounds and the look is uber-chic. Dress to impress or face rejection at the door.

    Read more about La Mela

  24. Advertisement

  25. Lontano da Dove

    Literary types head here to sip espresso, talk Baudelaire and tap their fingers to Chet Baker. Close to Piazza Bellini, this erudite cafe also hosts poetry readings and occasional jazz performances. Turtleneck sweaters are optional.

    Read more about Lontano da Dove

  26. Mercadante

    Recently restored, the 18th-century Mercadante is home to Naples' major theatre company, the Teatro Stabile. A bumper season of high-standard productions includes new and classic Neapolitan, Italian and international works from the likes of Luca de Filippo, Roberto de Simone and Paul Léautaud.

    Read more about Mercadante

  27. Mutiny Republic

    Artful clubbing awaits at this funky centro storico newie. A friendly, boho crowd kicks back on silky sofas, eye up cutting-edge art and get down to DJ-spun jazz, electro-soul and disco funk or to live acts with a world music edge.

    Read more about Mutiny Republic

  28. Officina 99

    No Philippe Starck lighting here, just an abandoned factory packed with hardcore lefties, punks and raw live acts ranging from radical Neapolitan rap to anti-Establishment reggae. Gigs are sporadic, so call ahead or check the website.

    Read more about Officina 99

  29. Otto Jazz Club

    Up the hill towards Vomero, Otto's is arguably the top jazz joint in town. It has hosted some of the biggest names in jazz and today still features top-quality concerts by mostly local, sometimes international artists.

    Read more about Otto Jazz Club