Going out in Murcia takes a bit of getting used to if you're English. Whilst you can still go out the old fashioned English way (Go out at 8.00p.m. and be back home by 12.00 ready for some kip) it's more interesting to try to be 'continental' in Murcia. The best bars in Murcia City don't show their true character until around 1.30a.m. so you'll miss out on most of the amosphere if you're in bed too early.

Here's a good tip: To get the best out of your night out in Murcia City adjust your body clock to a Murcian night out by altering your watch by an hour. Don't consider going to a "proper" Murcia bar before 10.00pm. Before that, if you want to be out and about why not have a coffee in Plaza Cardenal Belluga (Cathedral Square) and admire the beautiful floodlit Cathedral. from there. You could then amble down to the Hotel Rincon de pepe (Apostoles, 34) for a cocktail in the "La Muralla" bar, one of the few places in Murcia where the old Arab walls can still be seen.

Here's a selection of some of the best bars in Murcia City.

La Bulla (Calle Montijo.) One of a few Cuban bars specialisiing in Cocktails. Stays open till 3am.

Zanzibar (3 Calle Andres Baquero.) This is a small bustling small bar where you can get just about every kind of drink you could ask for. Inside you'll find punters relaxing with anything from a harvey wallbanger to a milkshake. Happy hour is on Wednesdays from 9-11pm where the old two for one applies.

Mestizo (14 Doctor Fleming.) Chilled-out caf? during the day but at night it turns into a lively pub. Buzzing atmosphere later as opposed to chilled out earlier..

B12 (17 Calle Trinidade.) A trendy bar but fairly quiet early on in the evening. Nice place to grab an early drink to start the evening. Bar Warhol (25 Calle Victorio.) Heaven for lovers of Pop Art with copies of the Underground mentor's
pictures on most walls. A sophisticated place that's ideal for a quiet drink and a chat. One of the cooler bars in Murcia City.

El Albergue (19 Calle Vara de Rey.) This place is open until 3, serves cocktails and has real music on a Tuesday. It's popular with the younger crowd and it is very busy at weekends.

Guan?bana Jam (6 Plaza Cer?mica.) This is a newish night club with stage and bars mainly offering live jazz, blues and soul. Tuesdays and Wednesdays it's open till 1.00, whilst on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays It carries on on later till 3....

Drexco (26 Traper'a.) Cool caf? near Murcia's Cathedral serving non alcoholic drinks and coffee. They claim to have the biggest variety of coffee in Murcia City with beans from all over the planet. It's open till 1am, playing relaxed music.

El Bolo (29 Calle Vara del Rey.) Well chilled bar in the Old Town right in the middle of the party zone. You can see live concerts on Tuesdays and also cocktail specials on Fridays and Saturdays. A nice pub to start the night, then go back for a drink later chill out.

Itaca (7 Calle Mariano Vergara. Tel. 968 934 922) Near the Uni. This is one of the more unusual bars in Murcia in that it's both bookshop and a bar. Frequented by local students having coffee during the day, the mood then changes in the evening as a more mature crowd arrive to sample the cocktails. Mojitos are the most popular drink.

Josepe (9 Arquitecto Emilio Pi?ero.) A nice tapas bar that stays open all day. There are lots of nostalgic past paintings and photographs of Murcia City on the walls. You could try a sherry and pan con tomate in the early evening for a change before your meal. The first bar in Murcia I call in..

Icaro (Plaza Beato A Hiberm'n.) Situated near the University, so expect a lot of students during term time. Again Icaro is a good place for an early evening drink.

That just about covers it for article 1 on bars in Murcia City. There's plenty to be going on with anyway.. Should you visit any other Murcia bars that you think deserve a mention then email me and let me have details. Cheers!!