Fun and entertainment Cyprus

An address not to be missed for the atmosphere and for quality music.

A bouzouki club, to dance with locals on local music.

For all the most recent sounds.

Another place of local night. But here it is the 1960 s, 1970 s and 1980 s who are often honoured.

Next to the precedent, a place that tries to make itself a place in this area of choice.

An Irish pub (the oldest of the city) with dimensions adapted to the tourist arrivals. Several levels, giant sports screens, Irish and other beers, typical pub catering, etc.

Self-appointed first sports bar in the city. Sport (on screen only) and bière beer.

In the old Othellos cinema, this place sometimes serves as a film club. Ideal for "different" programming. Program on site or at the tourist office.

Multiplex of 6 rooms.

Between a Cash & Carry and the belt boulevard, one of the few gay clubs on the island. Everyone is welcome.

The oldest box in Nicosia, opened in 1968, is also the most gay friendly hotel. The restaurant looks pretty nice with a nice room and a French-Cypriot menu.

In the heart of the old town, on the north side, this pleasant café-bar with terrace is an important meeting place for Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot campaigners for the reunification of the island. Its name comes from the ancient Greek οἱ πολλοί, literally "the many", pejoratively referring to "the plebs". The Turkish Cypriot owners frequently organize weekend concerts with artists from all over the country. All kinds of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served. Friendly staff, good music and low prices.

For an intimate atmosphere. Set in a beautiful old house.

Already, we like the name of this slightly alternative café: "comme par enchantement" (Τα Καλά Καθούμενα). And its location isn't bad either, just off the Papadopoullou stoa, a covered passageway that connects Ledra Street to Faneromeni Square. The rather young clientele talk politics and play tavli (backgammon) while drinking beer, lemonada spitiki (homemade lemonade) or Turkish coffee (no espresso). Quiet atmosphere for reading or working. By the way, we've written quite a few pages of this guide here.

This "remote" café (Απόμερο) is one of the most charming in the old town. Nicosios come here for an elleniko ("Greek" coffee... Turkish-style) or a fresh orange juice accompanied by pastries prepared each morning: galaktoboureko (phyllo pastry and lemon custard), portokalopita (orange cake), spanakopita (spinach friand), etc. Pleasant terrace in a quiet, shady alley lined with little houses. And a tiny dining room, decorated with black-and-white photos and two tables on the mezzanine.

With its meticulous decor, swirling light shows and enormous sound system, this nightclub claims to be Nicosia's most modern and glamorous. No doubt, but you may not have the opportunity to verify this, as the security service is so intransigent: sneakers and T-shirts (in theory) forbidden, groups of boys rarely admitted, state of inebriation prohibitive, privileged access to Greek-speaking customers, etc. To get past the zealous security guards at the entrance, it's best to reserve a table on the website.

Opening in 2019, Sllip Club is renowned for its good Cypriot and foreign DJs(drum and bass, electronic music), its large central dance floor and its gay-friendly image. It is housed in the brutalist Zena complex built in 1966, which also houses a cinema. Named in honor of Cypriot "princess" Zena Kanther De Tyras (1927-2012), this vast building is currently the subject of a vague reconstruction project, so "Sllip" could soon be moved or closed.

The best-known aspect of Sufism, the ritual dance of the Mevlevi "whirling dervishes" (Semazenler, Whirling Dervishes) is called semâ töreni in Turkish. A local troupe gives tourists a glimpse of this dance in the northern part of the old town. Usually, a single dancer waits for customers in front of the Bedesten in the afternoon and dances for ten minutes in a nearby café, or sometimes at the Bedesten itself. A far cry from the spirit of this ecstatic dance, which can last for hours.

The oldest café-concert venue in greater Nicosia, opened in 1988, this "reckless" bar organizes rock, blues and folk evenings almost every day, with local Greek- and English-speaking bands (compositions and covers). It's located between two gyms, on a small street in Strovolos. The space is quite large, but also sometimes very smoky despite the anti-smoking legislation in force. Wide choice of beers (150) and whiskies (50), pool table, terrace, DJ on Sundays, helpful waiters for drinks.

Opened in 2009, this bar regularly hosts rock concerts with local bands. The sound is not too loud. Good, because it's very small. So you can enjoy a chat over a drink. A beer, for example, as the establishment is also a craft microbrewery. A wide selection of foreign craft and industrial beers is also on offer, including twelve on draught. Alternatively, you can opt for whiskies. Friendly staff with good advice on drinks. Small terrace overlooking the street.