Entertainment

Naples is a vibrant city full of artisans. Its citizens are very creative and it has always been expressed in their art and architecture. This same creativity is also applied to their entertainment.

Italy and opera are forever linked in the minds of people. If one is in Naples, it is a must that one experiences a performance at the Teatro San Carlo. It is considered one of the best opera houses in the world. Ballet performances are also held here. Tickets for individuals are not always easy to come by as they are usually sold on a season basis, but there are tours that include a trip to the Teatro San Carlo as well as dinner and transportation.

There are actually many theatres in Naples. The Teatro Bellini is said to be the most beautiful in Naples. It was built in 1864. The Galleria Toledo and Teatro Nuovo are smaller venues that cater to a young, cultured audience. The Augesteo is a relatively young venue having been built in the beginning of the 20th century but it is considered the home for light theatre and musicals in Naples.

The Mercandante reopened in 1995 and now is the theater for prose in Naples. The Sannazzaro on via Chiaia is perhaps the best loved of the theaters and is where the most celebrated performers of Naples perform.

If one wishes more interactive entertainment, there is no better place than Naples. The best guide to bars and clubs in Naples is the monthly Qui Napoli, the tourist office and local newspapers. Tickets for cultural events and sporting events can be purchased at Box Office (Galleria Umberto I 15-16). If you wish to play it by ear when you get to Naples, ask around and friendly people will point you in the right direction.

Of course some places stand out from the crowd. The club Chez Moi is famous as a place where the cream of society gathers. Here you will find high government officials, socialites, dress designers and even a few international celebrities dancing the night away to dance music. This is one club that prides itself on the excellence of its patronage and troublemakers will definitely not be allowed within its halls.

Madison Street is the place to go if you want to dance to some Latin American or commercial music. It’s a great place to hang out and mix with the young crowd. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy the rhythm of the music, on or off the dance floor.

Depending on your kind of music, there’s a club that will match your taste. If you’re into reggae then the Kinky Bar (Via Cisterna dell'Olio 21) is a good choice. They draw a very young crowd — mostly students — and they organise some beach parties in the summer.

If you like jazz or the blues then the Riot on Via San Biagio dei Librai is the place for you to go. You may also wish to check out the Otto Jazz Club at the Piazzetta Cariati as an alternative.

Tongue is another place that has become quite popular. Techno music plays all night and you get a great view of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Pozzouli. It is a wonderful place to dance the night away and make new friends.

There is much to entertain you in Naples. You just need to ask to be pointed in the right direction to find the venue for your type of show. The entertainment will add to your experience of the city, making it one you truly will not forget.