| It's official. The honeysuckle-scented
nights of summer have arrived - and so have the tourists. It's when Marbella
really sparkles as the undisputed hot spot of the coast. For me it's one of our
busiest times of year and while visitors are on the beach we're in our air-conditioned
offices - but come 6pm it's a different story! Summer evenings mean plenty
of time for a couple of drinks and people-watching after work. So where better
to sip champagne under the stars than in the playground of playboys and princes,
Puerto Banus. That's where the seriously big yachts that belong to seriously rich
owners with seriously glamorous girlfriends come to play. You almost expect
to find Sean Connery (who bought a home here), 007 himself, relaxing at a waterside
café - remember those Martini ads? "It's the right time, it's the
right one, it's…..Martini." Like Mykonos and Monte Carlo, Banus
"is" super sleek yachts, beautiful boutiques, beautiful bodies and very
fast cars. On any given night you'll see a top-of-the-range Ferrari rev into the
port and pull up outside a nightclub as a small crowd starts to gather. Banus
can be as low key or high style as you want it to be, so during the day you can
take it easy and watch the passers-by over a pizza and salad - I recommend Picasso's
Pizzeria or Metro Pizza. For oriental food you're spoilt for choice. Head
for Wokaway for cheap and cheerful fresh Thai dishes (they also do take out) or
Sakura for Japanese delights. Sushi lovers will love Sushi Zona at the Centro
Cristamar close to the El Corte Ingles department store (a must-visit for their
gorgeous accessories, great leather bags and shoes, cosmetics and fantastic food
hall). Upstairs at the News Café there's a lovely breezy café
where you can get a light bite and a bird's eye view of the street below. I often
meet friends for coffee and croissants at weekends or cocktails after work - it's
open all day till 2am. But it's at night when Banus really starts to sizzle.
As the harbour lights twinkle under a silvery midnight moon, what makes this place
special is the setting: candlelight, cocktails and a cooling breeze while the
night music wafts across the water's edge… So, in case you're wondering…
six of my picks where you can "see and be seen". Astral -
Have a "Sex on the Beach", on the beach, at this relaxed chillout bar
Liquid Lounge - amazing cocktails, relaxed atmosphere (noon till 2am)
Marvellous easygoing- friendly pub with excellent live music.
Kube
- funky, modern club featuring top music acts from Ireland
Ocean Club
- Sea views and shooting stars at this laid-back beachside Club la
Costa
Pangea - positively "the" place to see and be seen - get there late!
(opens 11pm)
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