This city knows how to party like no other – and Lapa is the neighbourhood to head to for after-dark action, especially if you’re hoping to see some samba. Rio Scenarium is a top venue for this – very cool, very popular. Lapa is in the central part of town, but if you’re staying on the South Side (Zona Sul), try the baixos (pronounced by-shows) – clusters of cafés, bars and clubs, where the atmosphere is relaxed, and you’re guaranteed to meet the locals.
One of the up-and-coming nightlife districts is Gamboa the “new Lapa”, and you can’t go wrong with the nightlife around Ipanema and Leblon. Aim to hit the clubs at around midnight, when things really get going. Live music is a big part of the Rio after-dark scene; try Carioca da Gema for Samba and Chorniho music, but don’t go before 11pm. And if you’re into alternative sounds, head to Casa da Matriz in Botafogo.
Lastly, remember that the cariocas (citizens of Rio) gather in bars and cafes before they go out dancing. You’ll find them there every night of the week.
You’ll need your shades on after dark in this city of a million neon lights – and you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to clubs, pubs, live music, dancing, dining plus, of course, gaming. The big casino hotels offer it all, and there are countless dance clubs and specialty venues for live music. Among the hippest of the clubs are Red Square, Tao and The Joint, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg – and Pure at the legendary Caesar’s Palace has customers queuing to get in the door.
For big names on stage, check out the acts at the fabulous Hollywood Theatre. For comedy, try the Improv at Harrahs – and to enjoy dazzling city views with your drink, try the 55-storey-high Palms’ Ghostbar. But we really don’t need to name names: a stroll down the Strip, or a word with your hotel concierge will point you in the right direction.
Las Vegas is all about nightlife; just get out there and make the most of it!
From bohemian to hip to slick sophistication, New York has it all, and it’s hard to know where to start when you step out after dark in this fabulous city. In fact, ‘nightlife’ isn’t confined to night here – you’ll find variations of it right round the clock, including dance clubs and a huge variety of bars.
You can’t come here without sampling jazz, so put a jazz club on your list – along with one of the many famous music venues. Oak Room at the Algonquin is classic New York; Cielo, ‘the place where music lives’ offers all things innovative. Comedy clubs are another phenomenon in this city; pool clubs are yet another. Then there are the cocktail lounges, music clubs like the Knitting Factory and Bowery Ballroom – and a stroll along Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village is a must. You’ll find plenty of bar, club and pub possibilities here – plus loads of live music.
Does this island have a daylife? It’s recognised as the party capital of the world and the place to go if you’re seriously into clubbing. Yes, there are beaches, shops and cafes, but Ibiza’s focus is on night-time fun, and things happen here in a unique way. The island has a group of ‘super-clubs’, each of which is run by a different promoter each night – so, nothing stands still for long. Promoters come from around the world, bringing their particular brand of excitement to the party mix. But the big seven aren’t the only places to go: there are many smaller clubs, plenty of pubs – plus countless music bars, where clubbers warm up in preparation for the night ahead.
Where should you base yourself to get the best of the action? El Divino and Pacha are in Ibiza Town, Eden and Es Paradis are in San Antonio on the western coast, the gigantic Privilege (the world’s biggest club) and Amnesia are in the centre of the island near San Rafael and the super-famous Space is in Playa d’en Bossa, just south of Ibiza Town.
Possibly the world’s most chic after-dark destination, and home to the coolest nightclub in France (Les Caves du Roy), St Tropez is the place to go if you want to be ‘seen in the scene’. During the European summer, clubbing here is de rigueur! Papagayo and the more relaxed Octave see their fair share of famous faces, as do La Voile Rouge, Club 55 and the recently revamped, aptly named VIP Room. For a true St Tropez evening, dine at 11pm, start dancing after midnight and expect to be on your feet until sunrise. You’ll find restaurants that have been around since Bardot was a girl – and they’re still hard to beat.
If you want something simple, wander along the quays of the Vieux Port or aim for Place des Lices and find a small, intimate bar, café, club or bistro. But wherever you go, be prepared to pay: nothing comes cheap in St Tropez! And if you don’t want to dance, dine or sip the night away, you can shop instead: some of the boutiques here are open very late.
One word of advice: be sure of your dates if you want to party in this former fishing village on the Riviera: most clubs close during winter or open only on Saturday nights.
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