Looking for a Bar in Ayia Napa? Here's What You Need to Know
Ayia Napa is known for being a party destination and there are good reasons why it has this kind of reputation. During the peak season, you’ll find parties literally lining up on the beaches and the roads. The city truly comes to life at night. Most bars start to open at 8 p.m. At this hour, though, you may still find it deceptively calm and quite. Some bars will give out free drinks or waive the entrance fee if you come this early. What most people do is grab a few drinks first in the bars that open early to warm up for bigger parties that start later at night.
The real party begins at around 11 p.m. The bar setups spill into the beach and into the streets, blasting their music into the open air and creating one big street party. It’s not uncommon to see bouncers come up to people partying on the street and invite them to have drinks in their respective bars. While loud music has to stop by 1 or 2 a.m., most bars stay open until 3 a.m. Some places, though, keep serving drinks well into the wee hours of the morning.
The closer to the beach the party, the more casual you will find. It is not uncommon to see people wearing flip-flops. On the other hand, there are quite a few posh clubs in the area so there will likely be no shortage of party-goers dressed up in a fancier and smarter way as well. In general, however, you can wear anything you wear comfortable in.
How Crowded Does It Get?
During the peak season, Ayia Napa can get crowdy. But that just makes for more fun if you are a party-goer. Bars tend to start filling up around midnight - which is the peak party hour. If that’s not your cup of tea, then you can either start your night early, head to the bars closer to the center of the town or check out the spots down the harbour. Those places are usually less rowdy and crowded.
Bars You Should Check Out
With almost a hundred bars in Ayia Napa to choose from, it is challenging to make a list of just a few you need to go to. You may want to check out the bar crawls and some big parties organized in the area like the Mayhem bar crawl or the Kandi Fest. These events will take you on a bar tour around the town with a fun itinerary and along with a big group. As an alternative, we provide a few recommendations below to help you get started.
The Square Bar
This bar is highly recommended by both the locals and returning tourists. It has an outdoor area and live music most nights during the peak season. The drinks are reasonably priced and the staff is great. They also serve popcorn for snacks in refillable tubs. This is a great place to start your night off. In the Square Bar, you will be able to find friendly people, eat good food, and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere.
Senor Frog’s Party Bar
Senor Frog is another of Ayia Napa's most famous bars and it's not difficult to see why - this place is just downright fun! It's a great choice for those who prefer a relaxed setting to a snobbish atmosphere. Senor Frog will set you up for a really funny and silly night featuring comedy shows, karaoke, and funny games that are open to everyone. Nights at Senor Frog are always memorable and visitors rave about all the time. The food is good as well. Whether you will be starting your party there or decide to spend the whole night in Senor Frog, you can rest assured that you won't leave without having a good laugh.
Party Until the Sun Comes Up
River Reggae
River Reggae opens at 1.30 a.m. and closes around 7. It’s a true party place with its dance floor, pools, and regular foam parties. This is definitely one of the must-visit bars in the area. The best time to go there would be around 3 or 4 a.m., just as the other bars are closing up but you still want to keep the party going.
Kahlua Bar
The Kahlua Bar is one of the oldest bars in the area but it has enjoyed enduring popularity up until today. It opens at 10 p.m. and closes at 4 a.m. Kahlua is a place that you should probably visit after having a few drinks in one of the bars that open earlier. It caters to a lively and young crowd.
Pirates Inn
Next, go check out the Pirates Inn. This place will be easy to spot thanks to its prominent pirates-inspired theme. It opens around 9 or 10 p.m. and is known for its flaming cocktail shots and rum. This is a place to go to if you just feel like drinking a lot of alcohol with no frills.
Family Friendly Bars
If you are travelling with your family, there are a few places with a more family-oriented atmosphere. Most of the bars that are open early will be suitable to take your kids to, however, you need to keep in mind that even these place can get loud after 10 PM. Therefore, it is important to know which places remain family-friendly throughout the night. The Anonymous Pub, Aragma Cafe Bar, Bedrock Bar, The Ambassaden, and Tommy’s Pub are highly recommended for those who are travelling as a family. Most of these places serve great dinners and have kid-friendly items on the menu as well.
Bar Drink Prices
Alcoholic beverages in Ayia Napa aren't more expensive than the average price for drinks you'll find throughout Europe. You'll likely find that alcohol is cheaper here than in other regions. Vacationers from London, for example, won't find the prices of drinks any more expensive here than in their hometown. However, if you’re used to vacationing in tropical Asian regions like Thailand, then drinks in Ayia Napa may seem a little more expensive in comparison to these places.
For example, beers and simpler cocktails start at €2.50; meals cost from €10 to €12, and some snacks like kebabs cost around €6.50. Of course, there are a few fancier places where the prices are correspondingly higher. If you are looking for the cheapest drinks, start in the harbour area, especially early in the night since that's where they will usually sell cheaper drinks.
Are There Any Strip Clubs?
Being the nightlife melting pot that it is, of course, Ayia Napa is home to a few strip clubs as well. The most popular of the strip clubs in Ayia Napa is this place called Toga Toga. Toga Toga has more of an American strip club feel, but visitors enjoy it a lot nonetheless.
Strip clubs in Ayia Napa cater to a much younger tourist demographic and one that does not necessarily have a lot to spend on strip clubs. The usual patrons are late 20-year-olds' stag parties or out-of-towners who are looking to try something new. These rely mainly on quicker lap dances rather than more elaborate performances you’ll find in areas where the patronage is generally made up of regulars.
The dancers in these clubs come mostly from Europe. In case you were wondering, touching the dancers is not illegal but it is up to the discretion of the dancer - so make sure you clarify this to avoid trouble.
Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit will depend on your plans and who you are coming with. If you are looking to make the most of Ayia Napa’s party scene and nightlife, the best time to go is from June to August. This is when the clubs and bars are most alive. It’s also within this period that they get the best DJs and hold popular parties and bar crawls. In short, this is the area’s peak season. As such, it will be at this time that the beaches are most crowded.
If you are travelling with kids or booking a more wholesome holiday, you would want to visit during the low season which lasts from March to May. This is a bit of a downtime for the bars, although there are still quite a few that open during this season. The area will still be quite lively but a lot less crowded - the best time for family trips. Summer in Cyprus starts in April, so even if you’re not in the peak season, you’re still sure to experience great beach weather.