LGBT-friendly nights out on the Costa Blanca: the practical playbook

You already know, from our look at the scene, that the Costa Blanca has a gay capital of European rank: Benidorm. Here is the practical playbook: where to have a drink, catch a show, dance, and above all where to meet the community and find help when you need it.

Nights out in Benidorm

Head for the Casco Antiguo (the old town), around Calle Cuatro Esquinas and Calle Santa Faz: this is where the gay bars cluster, from the most intimate to the most riotous. Unmissable: the Klee Kafee and its drag cabaret, going since 1994; alongside it, some thirty addresses (such as the Gspot or R'Peet) run a rolling programme of shows, music and terraces. The local principle: you push a door, you're welcomed, you stay. Many venues offer dinner-and-a-show to start the evening.

In Alicante and along the coast

Alicante has its own bars and nights, more discreet but very much alive, especially in the centre. Torrevieja, Dénia and other towns have gay-friendly addresses too. And let's state the obvious: on the Costa Blanca, the vast majority of bars and restaurants are welcoming without the slightest asterisk.

By day: beach and parties

In summer, Benidorm's Playa de Levante is the gay-friendly meeting point, by day and in the evening. And if you remember one date only: Benidorm Pride (1 to 6 September 2026, parade on Saturday 5 September along the Playa de Levante), a week of parties that draws all of Europe.

Associations and support, so you're not alone

To meet people and get a helping hand, lean on the LGTBI associations of the province (in Alicante especially) and on the expat and community groups that organise drinks and outings. For sexual health and testing, the CIPS in Alicante is a free and anonymous first door (see our LGBTQIA+ health guide). And for any question or rough patch, the national 028 "Arcoíris" helpline, free and available in several languages including English, answers 24/7. Our guides to your rights and to finding your community round out the picture.

The editor's tip

An ideal first weekend? Friday: drinks and a dinner-show in Benidorm's old town, then a crawl along the bars of Calle Santa Faz. Saturday: the beach at Playa de Levante, then a drag cabaret in the evening. Sunday: a lazy almuerzo and a wander through Alicante's scene. Welcome to the Costa Blanca.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the best gay bars on the Costa Blanca? In Benidorm's old town, around Calle Cuatro Esquinas and Calle Santa Faz, with the Klee Kafee cabaret and around thirty venues nearby. Alicante's centre has a quieter scene.

Where can I get help or meet people as a newcomer? Through the province's LGTBI associations and local expat groups, the CIPS in Alicante for health, and the free 028 "Arcoíris" helpline (24/7, several languages including English).

Information verified in July 2026. Venues, programmes and dates change: always confirm before travelling. The Daily Costa Blanca is an AI-assisted publication with human review. Spotted a mistake? Drop us a line and we'll fix it. How we work.