Something for everyone is Cyprus’ hottest resort
I DON’T care what people say, Ayia Napa is still the place to be. Forget the rave parties, the Ibiza-like moment it enjoyed in the sun, the real appeal of Napa these days is just that: it appeals to a wide range of visitors, all of whom are made to feel welcome.
My task was simple, “make haste to the kingdom of Napa and bring us thy news”. So with car keys firmly locked up in the hotel room, stomachs in and belt buckles shining, Christos, our photographer, and I set off for Ayia Napa square. The time? 11.13pm sharp!
To have made a round of all the bars and clubs in the area would have been asking too much even for a couple of buccaneering aging party-goers like myself and my trusty sidekick. So instead we decided to visit six bars: Heaven Rock, Kahlua, Volcano, Bedrock and Lineker’s. As for clubs, Club Ice and Castle Club were selected. My apologies to other bar and club owners but not even all the energy drinks in the world would have kept us pushing on through all the different places.
First impressions? The majority of human traffic, which in the past had accumulated in a mass orgy of fun, alcohol and gorgeous blonde women handing out flyers in the middle of Napa square, had shifted up to Louka road to where Club Ice, Castle Club and Bedrock bar are.
Bedrock was our first stop. It was already full of red-faced holiday makers knocking back the cocktails. Not surprisingly, Bedrock is large bar with a Flintstones theme and nothing beats knocking back cocktails under the jolly smiles of Fred and Barney while watching Brian from Brighton make an utter wally of himself on the karaoke. In such high spirits it was time to head for the next location. Drink up Christos, the night is still young!
The trip to Heaven Rock Garden did not take us long; it is literally across the road. It is rock and heavy metal themed, which offers a great alternative not only for lovers of rock who visit the island but also to locals who have for years been faithful, head-banging goers of the bar.
The bar itself is darker than most, adding to the rocker and biker theme, but also offers pool tables in case people start getting soar necks. But the highlight has very little to do with bikers or rockers: lighting sambuca shots on the bar. It’s certainly a treat to watch and I was very impressed but then the muscular, long-haired barman ordered me to shoot them down. With all eyes in the bar on me and in the name of journalism, I closed my eyes and poured the fiery liquid down my throat. Cracking a false smile, I then staggered out of the bar with the aid of Christos’ rather more sober shoulder. I did get a round of applause though.
“Hiccup.” Next door was Kahlua with its Polynesian look and great exotic cocktails. Still recovering from the scorching sambuca shots bubbling away in my gullet, it was time to order some light cocktails while watching some lovely ladies dance the night away on the bar. The bar itself is a great laugh and even offers a pole in the middle of the dance floor for those still in their hey day. I was tempted by the hammock.
We then moved to Lineker’s, a must for England football fans and fun and games lovers, before walking back down into the square to Volcano, situated in the heart of the square and offering a range of different cocktails.
And on to the clubs. First up was Club Ice and I was very impressed for a number of reasons. First the security was excellent; they were firm but fair and let’s face it you don’t want to have some drunk moron come up and pick a fight with you because he knows the security is rubbish.
Secondly, the air-conditioning was set at just the right temperature which meant that you didn’t freeze or roast to death deep in the underground club and third the place was full but not crowded to the point where you have to say excuse me 18,000 times before reaching the bathrooms. And of course, people were dancing the night away like there was no tomorrow meaning that the DJ was doing something right.
Castle Club next door was also heavily secured and was equally impressive for other reasons. Decorated in old armour suits and shields, the club at times resembles a house party in a castle. The club itself was absolutely huge and boasted four large arenas, which played different types of music to accommodate different styles of people. There was even a “chill-out” lounge in case one, like myself, might need a little rest.
My conclusion? A great night out with lots of dancing, lots of drinking and without the usual banter ravings of some who say that Napa is just a meat market where drugs are plenty. Yes there might be drugs there, as is also the case unfortunately in Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos but in the bigger picture, Ayia Napa is still the place to be for a good time out with friends. I will be back.
AYIA Napa isn’t all party bashing and non-stop drinking although parents with small children should steer clear of the congested clubbing and bar areas at peak times.
There is plenty going on at the bottom of the square, which is also next to the park and the main church, where there is a large pub that accommodates all ages while face painters, temporary tattooists and artists painting portraits ply their wares.
The road running parallel to the square, Archbishop Makarios III Avenue, leads all the way down to the main harbour and the avenue itself is full of pubs and restaurants. The other main road of Ayia Napa is Nissi Avenue where families can find crazy courses and fun fairs. Believe me folks, you will always find something to do or somewhere to go.
