The Best Pub in Lanzarote

The best pub in Lanzarote is frequented by tourists and ex-pats alike. Over a few beers in the afternoon, you can sit in the shade inside or catch some sun on the terrace. At night, the place is hopping with lively music, loud conversation and infectious smiles on everyone's face.

It doesn't serve food, so there's no lingering smell of grease or fried onions.

The friendly staff don't know your name, but they recognise your face. And they remember what you want, when you say "Same again, please."

Though the women claim not to notice these things, Carlo behind the bar gives them the eye and always tells them they're looking beautiful tonight. Neither do the men notice that the girls on the floor are very chatty, and are always smiling, whether you tip them or not.

The spirits are all brand names and a cheap equivalent wouldn't be let inside the door. The measures are generous, without being intimidating - you can fit plenty of your mixer in the glass. The beer is very cold, as is the Guinness. The best pub in Lanzarote has a reputation for good Guinness - hence, they sell a lot of it. And hence, there's a good flow on the tap. The place never claimed to be a wine tavern so the choice of wine is sufficient but limited.

The toilets aren't huge, but they're always spotlessly clean. The soap in the dispenser smells sweet and the hand-drier blows out warm air at a fast enough rate.

The music recedes a little and people tend to drift away around 1.00am. Though there's no sign that the staff are getting ready to close yet. You've been there some nights 'til all hours and never heard 'Last Orders' being called.

You leave the place smiling and finish the story you were telling to the people you met on the way to the taxi rank. Tomorrow's going to be sunny again. You'll get up late, have breakfast and then go for a stroll. In the afternoon, you might call to see if there's anyone around in The "___" Bar again.