Nightlife, Bars, Restaurants,… in Málaga

SALA FACTORIA/SUPERSKUNK

Calle Granada 52  Málaga

Web http://www.superskunk.es/

At the end of the eighties, Luis Rubio and a couple of friends set up a company, Factoria/Beatas, with the idea of promoting cultural events and concerts by indie bands in Málaga and surroundings.  Their office was in Calle Beatas, a typical andalucian street with lots of bars and nightclubs.  Soon after, they started up their own club, which they called Sala Factoria, with the aim of creating new projects in alternative entertainment.

 

Luis especially remembers one night with Mano Negra, who during one of their tours, called up one day to say:  “Tomorrow we’re coming to play in your club.  Spread the word…”  Amazingly enough, this tactic worked, and everybody started calling everybody else, and on the night of the gig, the venue was so packed they had to leave half of the audience in the street.

 

Also the way the communicated with the band’s management was special…  Their manager would start every sentence with:  “Mano Negra has decided that…” or “Mano Negra thinks that…”  All of this, all night long.   Luis remembers:  “The concert was absolutely one of the best I ever helped set up, for its music and for its wild and passionate atmosphere.”

 

In the mid-nineties, after some years of vicious competition, Sala Factoria closed down, but it is brought back to life every year during the feria of Malaga in the second and third week of August.

 

It still maintains a great bill, full of national and international bands and DJs.  Today, Luis Rubio runs two different types of shops: Babilonia, specialised in ethnic products and handicrafts, and Superskunk, offering a wide variety of Spanish and international design objects.  These are Luis’ favourite spots:

• Abisinia Calle Beatas

Owner Jesus is one of the best local DJs, and he frequently organises concerts.

• Asako Calle Carreterias,96

Asako’s the best value with a kind service, a charming place and really fresh and good food, only the fact that it has survived in Malaga since 3 years is so surprising when you know about closed andalucian mind that it should be enough for you to trust it !

 

 

• La Anchoita Calle Beatas

At the end of the street, in front of this bar on the Plaza del Teatrodonde, you can see a huge tropical ficus with its roots covering half of the square.  In this bar, there is a good variety of fried fish, especially the ‘caldo caliente pintaroja’ (spicy rock fish soup).  A good mix of old men and people who have aged too soon due to living too fast.

• Grass & Scratch Calle Dos Aceras

In this shop, frequented by many DJs, you’ll find flyers for all of the parties in Andalucia.

• Evolution Calle Dos Aceras

The first modern-style hairdressers’ salon in the city, considered a classic nowadays.

• Café Negro Calle Alcazabilla

Enchanting street with a roman theatre.  Behind the theatre, there is a beautiful path that leads to the Castillo de Gibralfaro, with gorgeous views over the city.  Before or after this walk, you should have a coffee or something fresh in this stylish bar.

 

 

 

 

 

• El Vegetariano de Alcazabilla Calle Alcazabilla

In front of the cinema screening original-language movies, you’ll find a cosy restaurant with contemporary vegetarian dishes.

 

• Palo Cortao Calle Pasaje de Sancha

Andalucian kitchen accompanied by an excellent selection of wines.

 

• Los Viquingos Calle Pasaje de Sancha

A small restaurant with one of the most imaginative menus to be found in the city.

 

• Pita Bar Calle Echeguaray

A pleasant and creative fusion of all typical dishes from the Mediterrean.

 

 

 

 

• Merendero Paco Paseo Marítimo Antonio Molina

This is one of the best places to have fresh sardines on the beach.

 

• Merendero Miguelito el Cariñoso Paseo Marítimo de Pedregalejo

Specialised in fried fish, but the ‘almejas’ (clams) are also exquisite.

 

• Restaurante El Caleño Paseo Marítimo de Pedregalejo

Here should order fresh fish cooked in the oven with SALT, a trae delicacy.

 

 

 

 

 

• Museo Municipal Paseo de Reding, tel.: +34 952 22 51 06

Each year, there are a couple of interesting expositions.  Check it out.

 

• Rastro next to football stadium La Rosaleda

Each Sunday morning, a curious mix of locals gathers here to sell all kinds of kitsch, rubbish, and that one thing you were looking for at incredible low prices.  It’s worth the visit alone for the unique characters and atmosphere.

• Jardin Botanico La Concepción  Carretera Nacional 331, km166 direction Antequera

Considered one of the best botanical gardens in Europe, it holds plants from all continents.  Due to Malaga’s climate, you can walk through a unique collection of tropical and subtropical vegetation.  If you first visit this park and then head for El Torcal in Antequera, with its dry and rocky stone formations, you’ll be able to enjoy two completely different natural ambiences within a short distance of only 50 kilometres.

 

Paco has been working for years as an animator and educator  in the poor gipsy suburbs of Malaga. Due to his work, he was introduced  to the art of flamenco in all its aspects and was soon asked to write down his experiences in various magazines. Now after 8 years of social work, Paco has set up one of the few flamenco-shops in Andalucia, where you can find instruments, cd´s, books, gipsy artwork and handicrafts, as well as  information about flamenco-routes, concerts and festivities. So, if you’re up for a pure flamenco evening ,go and have a chat with Paco and he will tell you where to go. Paco hopes you will enjoy next places in “his “ Malaga.

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  Restaurante El Tintero II playa del dedo  El Palo

The waiters walk  in between the tables, singing with full passion, the continuous changing fish plates they carry above your head. By giving them a sign, they serve you the plate at instant,…the idea is that you keep ordering until satisfied. You can’t eat fish on the beach in a more authentic way than here…

• Bar Iñaki Calle Heroe de Sostoa  54

Try  the brocheta de pollo con patatas, con salsa a la pimienta y champiñones(chicken with peppers and mushrooms)  The exposed fish is exquisite.

• Taberna El Beato Calle Beatas

Excellent tapas and  friendly service.

• Mesón  La Mesonera Calle Gómez Pallete

Pleasant atmosphere, all tapas are shown on the bar.    next to Teatro Cervantes, a theatre with a regular program of different cultural events   www.teatrocervantes.es

• Cañadu Vegetarian. Plaza. de la Merced, 21.

Several vegetarian tapas but also a good  place for natural juices ,milkshakes and teas.

• Peña Los Verdiales Calle Tajuña nº 6

Here  you can learn more about one of Malaga´s most classic style of singing. Apart from an exposition room, you can dine during the concerts that are frequently organised.

CLANDESTINO Calle Niño de Guevarava 3 Tel:(34)95 221 93 90

It’s about five years ago when Frederico and Hicham arrived to Malaga, after having  worked years in the Brussel´s nightlife and music scene. In spite of  the multiple prejudices of the “Costa del Sol”, frequently called “Costa del Golf”, they were surprised of the good vibes and possibilities of its capital Malaga. Soon after Clandestino is launched, the word spreads all over the city centre and beyond.

Open seven days a week, throughout the day and late evening, here one can enjoy  imaginative salads and a variety of creative dishes at any time. Daily suggestions complete its distinctive offer. Discover the ever changing selection of international beers and cocktails or the daily fresh deserts. Their perfect day follows the next route:

• Doña Mariquita Plaza Uncibay

Because of its large terrace, its variety of people and its great service ,this is the ideal spot to make plans for the rest of the day.

• Casa Aranda next to Plaza Felix Saenz

This is where the locals gather in the morning for churros con chocolate(hot pastry) and for its delightful coffee.

• Ultramarino de Bacalao Calle Martinez

Here you can buy a curious variety of salted fish .

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  Casa del Guardia Alameda Principal

Definitely one of Malaga’s all time classics where you can taste local wines amid a decoration that survived time. You can take some wine home or to your hotel room.

 

 

• Comoloco Calle Jose Denis Belgrano

Great spot for appetitive salads and original pitas.

• Samarkanda Calle Jose Denis Belgrano

Gorgeous dishes from Lebanon and Morocco served in a cosy setting.

• Refectorium Calle Cervantes

Delicious traditional tapas and raciones(portions)

• Cobertizo El Palo    Avenida Pio Barojo

This quality restaurant holds an authentic bodega.

• El Pimpi Florida El Palo    Avenida Juan Sebastian Elcano

In between an urban mess of buildings, this is a haven of ancient times where one can enjoy the best sea food in town.

 

 

Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares C/ Pasillo de Santa Isabel 10.

Charming museum of popular arts and habits

Museo de Arte Flamenco Calle  Ramón Franquelo.,

Different rooms with expo, activity centre and bar.

La Trastienda Calle Ollerías 14.

New and second hand books, cd´s, posters and prints

Ismalar Rutas

This is an alternative  travelling agency offering trips  through Andalucia and Morocco, trying to approach in a respectful way, two cultures with the same past.

Check it at www.ismalar.org

HOSTAL BLUE ACACIAS. . Paseo de las Acacias, 5. 29.017.Málaga. Tel.: 952 206 220.

Charming  little hostel near the beach. www.blueacacias.com

Leaving Malaga  to the north ,direction of Antequerra  ,the moonscape nature park “El Torcal”, a geological treasure, is a must for  nature lovers. www.eltorcal.com

Leaving the park ,you follow Antequerra and then you head for “Fuente de Piedra”, where you, in spring and summer, can admire one of Europe´ s largest, flamenco(this time the bird ,not the music) concentrations, together with different species of other migrating birds. Near to this salt lagoon  you can rent a colonial style country house:

CASA RURAL  LA ZARANDA Avenida de Andalucía 21. 29.520 Fuente de Piedra. Málaga.

Reservations: 647 425 400 – 670 549 502 or. www.lazarandarural.com

In  Fuente de Piedra you  are, by car, a little hour away from Ronda, crossing the heart of Andalucia´s laid back countryside. Ask in the bars on the road for porra de Antequera, a delightful slight spicy vegetable tapa ,a truly original of this region.

Leaving Campillos behind you ,after a couple of kilometres  take a left, following the sign “embalses”.

This windy road along  the lake´s boarder holds lots of bars and restaurants, inviting for a break with magnificent views ,a swim, or to rent a small boat…

Then follow Ardales ,from where you can take the road up to Ronda.

 

 

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