Benidorm LGBTQ+ Guide 

Benidorm LGBTQ+ Guide - Benidorm has a large and friendly Benidorm LGBTQ+  scene, the majority of the bars are located near each other in the Old Town.

Where to stay in Benidorm

Benidorm is a large, busy town, so make sure you book your hotel or apartment near walking distance of the Old Town. There you will find all gay bars, clubs and sauna all next to each other  Use this page to help you find Hotels and Apartments situated in the Old Town.

Casa Don Juan - Situated in the heart of Benidorm Old town, a fun affordable LGBTQ+ venue that offers great rooms at great prices.

Benidorm LGBTQ+ Guide

Benidorm gay bars, clubs and saunas

Benidorm has an extensive gay night life scene. Almost all places are located very close to each other, in only a few streets in the Old Town. Many guys crawl from bar to bar. The majority of guys are from all parts of the UK. Several bars are British owned. Some terrace pubs are already busy from the afternoon with UK guys, but most of gay night life in Benidorm gets started at Spanish times, so late from about 23:00. There are about 30 gay places, here we list several to give you an idea what it is like. Some places are closed or are open limited times outside the season.

Benidorm LGBTQ+ Guide - Gay bars, cafes and pubs - Far too many to mention them all.

Bar 69  

Bar 69 in the heart of Old Town open 11.00am to 02.00 am daily.
4 Plaça de la Constitució, next to the Queens Hotel.
03501 Benidorm, Spain

Buddha Bar

Calle Santa Faz 10, Benidorm Old Town 690 23 08 48Open every day from 19.00 - 02.00

Caspers Bar Benidorm 

Food served all day 10am-10pm. Selection of gluten free, vegetarian & vegan food available. 

XS Men only, Blue Light Bar

Escape Bar

Bar Code

Bears Bar

Company Bar

Domino Bar

Eagle Bar

El Papagayo

Kafee Klee

Lovers Bar

Bar Code

Peoples Bar

Refuel Cafe Bar

Sensations

Spirit

The Lion

Growl Bar

Royal Queens Hotel

Gay clubs

Mercury

Calle De Alicante, 03501,  Old Town Benidorm

Popular gay disco in Benidorm, with a younger crowd, dance floor, dance music and a dark room.

Peoples

Calle Santa Faz, 03501,  Old Town Benidorm

Popular gay disco / bar, with dance floor, and upstairs a large dark room, video lounge.

mon-sun 22:00–04:00

Gay saunas and bath houses

H2O Sauna

Calle Tomás Ortuño, 46

In the heart of Benidorm Old Town´s gay scene. Best time is end of afternoon.  Two levels of Hot Action plus Huge Spa, Sauna and Steam Room.

tue-sun 14:00–20:00

Benidorm LGBTQ+ beaches and parks

Levante Beach

At the old town end in front of the Don Cesar café. Find it by heading down to the beach from the square where the Queens and Bears bar is located.

Poniente Beach

Popular Gay beach area from the end of the Elche park where you  will also find the Café Bar Refuel the place to meet up after the Poniente beach

Racó del Conill

Rocky gay nude beach and cruising area, 4 km west of Poniente beach.  You can walk if you take the number 2 or 3 bus to La Cala (Bus 3 from Park Elx by Benidorm harbour.

Other Nudist Beaches in the area.

Big Benidorm LGBTQ+ events

Benidorm Pride –  4th - 10th September 2023 Find more information HERE

Benidorm Pride has quickly grown to become a week long event, focusing on the key ingredients that make Benidorm so unique and is now recognised as the European Summer Closing Pride.

With a week-long series of flamboyant events leading up to the Playa Levante big parade on which always takes place on a Saturday. Visitors can expect an exciting week in the resort that truly never sleeps.

The main attraction for visitors is the old town which is where you will find the pumping heart of the gay village still very much local and Spanish where we visitors can blend in and mix with our lovely hosts. Enjoy up to 30 hugely friendly but small and intimate gay bars and eateries all nice and each other.

If you have any questions comment below.

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TAPAS ALLEY BENIDORM - Had enough of pie and chips? Craving something authentically Spanish? Then make your way to Tapas Alley — a lively street packed wall-to-wall with tapas bars, each serving delicious, high-quality Spanish small plates.

Where is it?

Tapas Alley is located in Benidorm’s Old Town, officially stretching from Plaza de la Constitución along Santo Domingo Street.

How to Get There:

If you're taking a taxi or asking for directions, just mention the Royal Queens Hotel — it's right opposite the entrance to Tapas Alley La Cava Aragonesa (click here for interactive map).

Tapas, Pinchos & Montaditos – What’s the Difference?

Tapas have evolved over the years and vary by region — especially in places like Tapas Alley in Benidorm, where the selection is vast and beautifully presented (some dishes truly look like little works of art!).

Many visitors use the word tapas to describe all small Spanish snacks — but officially, they fall into three main categories: tapas, pinchos, and montaditos.

Tapas:

The most traditional form — often served in small terracotta dishes, either hot or cold. These are meant to be eaten with a fork or spoon and are typically shared.

Pinchos or Pintxos

Originating from northern Spain, especially the Basque Country, these are small bites skewered with a toothpick. The word “pincho” comes from the Spanish for spike — which describes how they’re served.

Montaditos 

More common in southern Spain, montaditos are small slices of bread topped with various ingredients — from cheese and ham to anchovies or roasted peppers.
They’re usually served cold, though sometimes you'll find them with a toothpick to help keep everything in place!  

Basically, they are all tapas ie small portions of food.

Popular Tapas Dishes A - Z

Tapas Alley Benidorm - Timing is Everything – When to Eat Tapas in Spain

Spaniards eat much later than many visitors are used to. To experience tapas like a local, aim for these times:

• Lunchtime Tapas: Between 13:30 and 15:00 

• Evening Tapas: After 20:30 

Arrive too early and you’ll likely be surrounded by tourists — or sitting in an empty bar. But if you wait for Spanish dining hours, you’ll enjoy a more authentic atmosphere, bustling with locals.

How to order

The first thing to do is check whether you can order tapas at the tables. In some places they only serve tapas at the bar, and you have to order raciones (large plates) at tables or out on the terrace. 

Because bars are informal, and are often very busy, it is common to eat standing up at the bar or at small tables or even upturned barrels, and the atmosphere is convivial and noisy.   

The more rubbish on the floor the more popular the bar.

Once seated, don’t order everything at once. Many tapas are already prepared, and you could end up with 5-6 dishes arriving at once. Also, you may see something “walk by” that looks good, so best to start with just one or two tapas each and take it from there.

If they are all displayed in units, just point to what you like the look of, there is no need to worry about the Spanish names.

Paying for Tapas

The barman will usually run a tab for you, which is paid after you have finished eating. Some bars, where food and drinks are taken outside, charge with each round of tapas and drinks.  

It is a general rule to tip 10% if you have been served at the table (and have had good service). If it´s only had a quick snack and a drink standing at the bar, then just leave the change.

History of Tapas

The word "tapas" is derived from the Spanish verb taper - meaning "to cover".

According to legend, the tapas tradition began when King Alfonso X recovered from an illness by drinking wine with small dishes between meals. After regaining his health, he ordered that taverns would not be allowed to serve wine unless it was accompanied by a small snack or "tapa".

The original tapas were slices of bread or meat which sherry drinkers in Andalucian taverns used to cover their glasses between sips to prevent fruit flies from hovering over the sweet sherry.

The meat used was normally ham or chorizo - which being very salty encouraged more drinking .... even back then the proprietors weren't daft - and so began the tradition of serving a variety of snacks which in turn increased alcohol sales!

Tapas Alley Benidorm - A few of the most popular bars:

TIP The messier the floor, the better the tapas.

Find lots of Tapas Bars here, complete with interactive maps, to help you find them.

La Cava Aragonesa

Busy and buzzing! Follow the sound of laughter and chatter and you'll find this lively tapas bar, always packed with locals — a sure sign of good food.

If you're new to tapas, this is a perfect starting point: all dishes are beautifully displayed with clear labels in both Spanish and English. For the full authentic experience, grab a seat at the bar and eat like the locals do.

The Aurrera Group

The Aurrera Group is one of the most established names in the area, with seven different restaurants on the same street — something for every taste. There’s a constant stream of both locals and tourists from midday until late, with the evenings especially lively.

Aurrera El Bodegón

A charming and atmospheric tapas restaurant bursting with character. Think dark wood, barrels of wine, and a true old-Spainish vibe. Grab a glass of Rioja, pick your tapa, and soak in the rustic ambiance.

Aurrera Sidrería

A bustling, ever-popular tapas spot. It’s always full — and for good reason. The energy is high, the food is fresh, and the cider flows freely.

Elizando Taberna

Typical Spanish Typically Spanish eaterie with choice of basic snacks or the 'extra' - Menu del Dia. And in a starring role... bread and sardines for 2.50? And the humble sardine tastes so good in the Med... how can you resist?

Bar Gaztelutxo  

Small and cosy, with an authentic Basque feel, here the Tapas are more Spanish than sombreros.  

Gambrinus

A hidden gem with great atmosphere This little place is a hidden gem, known mainly by the Spanish. It has a great atmosphere, cheap prices and delicious little tapas to keep you going. And the walls are dotted with photographs of old Benidorm before the tourism boom.

Braseria

This bijou tapas bar has now brought a modern, trendy space to Benidorm's 'tapas alley'.

Sit outside at the stylish tables and watch the world go by as you muse over the menu that's based around Argentinian dishes. Or step inside into air-conditioned splendour and be tempted by photos of the dishes flashing across Plasma screens.

If you love steak, you won't be disappointed, Argentinian meat is amongst the best in the world.

Meson Plaza Mayor

Charcoal grilled meat and lots of tapas.  Conveniently located in Plaza Mayor (the main square), it’s the perfect spot to pause for a coffee while shopping.

But don’t let the casual exterior fool you — step inside and you’ll discover a mouth-watering selection of tapas and a massive charcoal grill, suspended over open flames. It’s a feast for the senses, especially if you love expertly grilled meats.

They also do a selection of meals partnered with selected wines.

General information on THE OLD TOWN and areas to visit

Find restaurants and bars in the old town listed in our Business Directory

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