The narrow streets of Sorrento's centro storico are alive with cafes, clubs, and restaurants, which become positively crowded during the sweet nights of summer. Locals as well as newcomers love sitting on the terrace of the Fauno Bar, Piazza Tasso 13 (tel. 081-8781135; www.faunobar.it; closed Nov) for an aperitivo (aperitif) and people watching till late into the evening. Other popular venues for pre- and post-dinner drinks are, of course, the romantic terraces of the many historic hotels as well as the Circolo dei Forestieri.
Spring and summer are a special time in Sorrento, as music festivals and other musical programs are staged in venues throughout town. Some of the most popular -- and which we highly recommend -- are the concerts at the Albergo Cocumella, and those at the cloister of San Francesco, Piazza Francesco Saverio Gargiulo. Contact the tourist center for details. Also, many restaurants and taverns in town offer live music during dinner. It definitely pays to keep abreast of the latest offerings through the tourist office, whose agents will be happy to give you a schedule of events.
For more modern entertainment, head to Piazza Tasso and its two nightclubs: Fauno Notte Club (tel. 081-8781021; www.faunonotte.it; cover 23€/$32/£16); and Matilda Club (tel. 081-8773236; cover 10€/$14/£7). Both clubs have dancing -- usually disco -- but the first one has a more mature clientele and offers a colorful Tarantella Show (traditional folk dance) between stretches of DJ music; shows are only held March through October (daily 9-11pm). Another good choice is the Circolo dei Forestieri, Via Luigi de Maio 35 (tel. 081-8773012; closed Nov-Feb), a live music bar with a beautiful terrace and shows every night.
If you like folk music, you might also enjoy Sorrento Musical, a revue of Neapolitan songs hosted by Teatro Tasso, Piazza Sant'Antonino (tel. 081-8075525; www.teatrotasso.com; tickets about 21€/$29/£15 depending on show; Mar-Oct Mon-Sat 9:30pm).
For more leisurely entertainment, among the numerous pubs to choose from here, Chaplin's Video Pub, Corso Italia 18 (tel. 081-8072551) and the English Inn, Corso Italia 55 (tel. 081-8074357), located across from each other, both stock a good selection of beers and maintain a lively atmosphere -- sometimes even too lively on summer weekends. Farther along is the Merry Monk, Via Capo 6 (tel. 081-8772409), another good pub with a good choice of beer.
