Cinderella probably wouldn't meet a prince if she were given a chance to party in Alicante. When the clock strikes twelve here, people are just going out instead of returning home.
Similar to Tempe, Thursday is the start of the weekend for some people in Alicante. However, Friday and Saturday are the busiest nights of the week, hands down. I should mention there are normally very few students in my classes on Fridays.
If one decide to go out before 11, they can count on sitting alone in an empty bar. Around 11:00 p.m. or midnight is when people start to venture out and slowly fill the bars and clubs.
As one walks with the crowds of people through the narrow streets, it's hard to believe it's the middle of the night. The energy is very contagious. The bars and clubs are situated one after another and all within a short walking distance.
Most of the bars and clubs have a live DJ spinning music. Passing by the different doors, one can hear the pounding music and mass of people. There are so many places, it's easy to find one with music and an atmosphere you like.
Once inside, there are a few things that all the bars and clubs have in common. One, they are filled with cigarette smoke. Here, you're part of a minority if you don't smoke. Two, they are dimly lit with accent lighting. Three, the music is loud. In some places, it's so loud that having a conversation can be difficult, if not impossible. Another similarity among bars and clubs is that they're generally crowded. Despite the congestion, people still manage to get their groove on.
I guess all the dancing is what makes people thirsty and in need of a drink. It's not surprising or unusual that alcohol is the preferred drink among bar and club goers. A bottle of water or soda is actually more expensive than a beer. Alcohol is very cheap and is consumed in large quantities.
Come 1 a.m., the bars and clubs are really hopping. It's also at this time that the discotechs are opening their doors. The discotechs become really busy around 4 or 5 a.m. Most of the dancing in a night takes place on these multilevel dance floors.
The bars and clubs in central Alicante generally close at 5 a.m. Just because those are closed, the party doesn't stop here. People walk down to the port where the places are open later. The party continues and people dance as the sun rises outside. The bars and clubs in the port as well as the discotechs are open until 7 or 8 in the morning. For some, a long night out is ended by eating breakfast with friends.
When one doesn't return home until about 9 a.m., like I've done before, most of Saturday or Sunday is spent sleeping. It's a lot of fun!
Benjamin Petell is a travel columnist for Web Devil. Reach him at benjamin.petell@asu.edu.
