As you would expect from one of Europe’s top Sun destinations, Gran Canaria has plenty of nightlife to offer. Playa del Inglés is the place for the European Party Crowd, while Las Palmas offers plenty of nightlife with of an authentic Canarian feel – somewhere between mainland Spanish and Latin American.
Pace Yourself
In Spain, people often don’t go out until midnight and most pubs don’t close until 2.00am, with Discos often open until 6.00am and later. Many places don’t get going until the early hours, so it’s probably a good idea to take a siesta in the afternoon, followed by a late meal (as the Spanish do) before hitting the tiles.
Playa del Inglés
Playa del Inglés is the busiest resort on the Island and also has the liveliest nightlife. Since Playa del Inglés is also one of the most popular Gay resorts in Europe, it stands to reason that the nightlife will cater to this. Yumbo is the centre of the Gay scene here and there are plenty of Drag Shows as well as other spectacular Gay-orientated entertainment on offer.
The ‘Kasbah’ centre is the focus for the 18-30 crowd with it’s many Pubs, Disco-bars and Clubs, while the Aguila Roja Centre is famous for it’s lively Irish Bars.
A special mention should also go to the Hard Rock Café beside the Yumbo Centre, which is another very popular spot.
While some people find them a nuisance, the many “PRs” that will offer free shots or “2 for the price of 1” deals in order to entice you into their employer’s establishments, can be great fun and save you a few Euros if you take them up on their offer.
Maspalomas
Maspalomas offers more upmarket (if somewhat subdued) night-time entertainment centred around it’s commercial centres. Here you can enjoy a meal followed by a cocktail in pleasant surroundings, although since it’s just a short taxi ride from heaving Playa del Inglés, that option is always open.
Puerto Rico
While not as busy as Playa del Inglés, Puerto Rico has plenty of Bars (mostly in the Puerto Rico and Europa Centres), with the only real Disco in the Centro Comercial Puerto Rico.
Las Palmas
For nightlife with a Canarian flavour, Las Palmas is the only real option. The many Bars and Clubs around Calle José Franchy Roca (in Santa Catalina) play mostly Salsa, but there are also options for most tastes. Also popular at night are the areas around Calle Triana and Vegueta, where the bars offer a more sophisticated atmosphere among the pretty city streets.
Casinos
If all-night clubbing or drag shows aren’t your thing, then there are always the two casinos on the Island, the Casino Las Palmas in Hotel Santa Catalina and the Gran Canaria Casino in the Hotel Meliá Tamarindos in San Agustín (not far from Play del Inglés).
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