You can certainly check out the flamenco clubs, but most Cordobeses roam around at night sampling the tapas and drinking regional wine in the various taverns. There are worst ways to spend an evening.
Tapas & Wine
You can begin your tapas-crawl at the previously recommended Bodegas Campos, which has some of the classiest tapas in town. But there are many other options, particularly if you find yourself wandering the streets of the Judería, which is particularly colorful in the evening. The best place to visit here, and one of the most authentic, is Taberna Casa Pepe de la Judería.
El Caballo Rojo is another first-class restaurant with a good supply of tapas, which it serves on a leafy Andalusian patio. One specialty we recently enjoyed here was alboronía, a cold salad of stewed vegetables with saffron, honey, and aniseed flavoring.
Our other favorite tascas include those reviewed.
Flamenco Clubs and More
Tablao Cardenal, Calle Torrijos 10 (tel. 95-748-33-20), is Córdoba's most popular and dynamic flamenco club. Just across from the Mezquita, you can enjoy a show featuring international and award-winning flamenco artists. Some of the purest styles of Andalusian flamenco -- soleá, bulerías, and alegrías -- are showcased here. Shows are presented Monday to Saturday at 10:30pm, with a cover of 20€ ($32) that includes your first drink.
For an even more authentic flamenco venue, head to Mesón Flamenco La Bulería, Pedro López 3 (tel. 95-748-38-39), close to the Plaza de la Corredera on the outskirts of the old part of town. This is one of the most reasonably priced flamenco shows in Andalusia, considering the class of its talent. The cover of 15€ ($24) includes your first drink. Most shows start nightly around 10:30pm. The club is generally closed from December to February.
For more formal entertainment, check out the listings at the city's theatrical grande dame, the early-20th-century Gran Teatro de Córdoba, Av. Gran Capitán 3 (tel. 95-748-02-37), site of most of the ballet, opera, chamber music, and symphony performances in town.
Hipster Joint in the Burbs -- Most of the antique tascas and tapas bars are in the Old City of Córdoba, but 20- and 30-somethings have migrated to the Vial Norte (aka Av. de la Libertad) district of the city's 19th and 20th-century neighborhoods. We suggest MOMA, Vial Norte (Av. de la Liberdade) at the corner of Miguel Gila (tel. 95-727-19-12), whose designers emulated the international spirit and decor of a venue in Berlin, London, or Barcelona. Unless there's a live concert scheduled, music on conventional bar nights focuses on pop, rock 'n' roll, and international hits from the '70s, '80s, and '90s. Cover charges apply only when there's live music. Otherwise, entrance is free. Cocktails begin at around 7€ ($11) each. Sunday to Thursday 9am to 3am, Friday to Saturday 10am to 4am.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
