Nightlife in North Cyprus

If you’re on holiday in Northern Cyprus or you’re thinking of living in North Cyprus you need to know what activities and opportunities there are for a good night’s entertainment - it’s okay, I understand, it’s one of the first things I checked out too!

I’m happy to report that despite North Cyprus’ quiet and tranquil image there are still plenty of places to go to be wined, dined, and entertained and where you can join in and sing, dance or just while away the night with a glass in hand.

Pubs and Bars

Just like there is a restaurant in North Cyprus for every night of the year, so it seems there is a bar for every conceivable occasion! From late night bars where you can sit and wallow in beautiful music, to sea front and beach or harbour side bars where you can see and be seen! In fact, the harbour in Kyrenia is an excellent place to start. In the long heady summer months anyone who’s anyone and all the rest of us besides like to meander along the pretty horseshoe shaped harbour taking in the sights and sounds and the eclectic mix of eastern and western culture.

If you choose to sit at any one of the bars or restaurants you’ll be made to feel most welcome by your congenial and honest hosts. Young girls beware, the harbour side waiters love a pretty face! Thoroughly recommended are Cafe 34 and Boaters Cafe...but that does not mean that when it comes to nightlife in North Cyprus you should avoid any of the venues on the harbour in Kyrenia - quite the contrary...each offers something different to appeal to differing tastes. You have big screen TV bars, quiet cafes, fresh young and lively venues and comfortable restaurants all happily doing business side by side.

Night Jar and Esatto offer something unique venue wise. Night Jar is a well decorated, well run late night cellar bar...opening at 9 in the evening you can sit and enjoy a game of pool or a dance to the sometimes live music until the early hours. Esatto is an open air venue with a river running through it! It’s brilliantly located on the main street up from the Ataturk statue on the sea front in Kyrenia for views of passers by and it serves good food and drink day and night.

For good quality food (though not for those on a diet!) and a variety of entertainment there’s Roxanne’s which is part of The Rocks Hotel and where they serve a fine mix of good strong cocktails too! Check out the music memorabilia that adorns the walls there!

If you’re more of a pub person consider the Castle Pub in Karaoglanoglu for Sky sports and good pub grub, the Villa Swallow in Kyrenia for much the same but with some live music, Karaoke on Fridays and a quiz on Thursdays. Alternatively there are the Cactus Bar or Arc to mention but two more in Kyrenia, and every single hotel and holiday village on the island has a bar that welcomes residents and non residents alike.

Clubs

In Kyrenia there’s the excellent Night Park - located incongruously or cleverly (you decide) right next to the huge main car park right in the centre of Kyrenia. Often featuring the best local DJ talent it’s simply the venue where everyone ends up to dance the night away if they haven’t already headed out to one of the hotel nightclubs - consider Jasmine Court for example. Or if you want night time beach side entertainment Escape Beach Club and Club Acapulco have stunning private beaches, and a fantastic summer club scene.

Music

One of the best venues for live music is La Habanera - especially on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night when you can seriously chill out to some of the best live jazz music on offer! The venue itself is within the Rocks Hotel - don’t feel worried about walking in, residents and non-residents are most welcome. When inside you will be carried away with the pure classy surroundings, the exceptionally polite and professional service and of course, the most mellifluous music.

Many of the pubs and bars also have live music, but usually of the pop and rock or DJ variety. There are a number of good local musicians and bands around and the best place to find out all about what’s happening in terms of the nightlife in North Cyprus on a day by day, week by week basis is by checking the listings in Cyprus Today newspaper, Essential Cyprus Magazine or North Cyprus Magazine.

For coverage of all one off main events like the Cyprus Film Festival, Kyrenia Jazz Festival and Bellapais Music Festival, trust About North Cyprus to keep you bang up to date! You’d better bookmark this site now if you’re serious about North Cypus.