REVIEW · ALICANTE
Alicante: Amazing Flamenco experience with tapas menu option
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Tablao Flamenco El Mentidero · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Flamenco that feels close enough to touch. At Tablao Flamenco El Mentidero in Alicante’s Port, you get singing, guitar, and dance from a stylish, Andalusian-inspired tablao with a clear stage view from every seat. One catch: the performance portion is about an hour, so it’s not a half-night show.
I like that the venue is small and arranged so you’re not stuck staring at the back wall. I also like that the tapas option turns it into a full Spanish dinner tasting, not just a snack. The main consideration is timing and seating: tables can be close, so if you’re sensitive to tight spaces, you’ll want to aim for a comfortable table when you arrive.
Choose show-only if you want pure flamenco, or add the show + tapas menu if you want food paced around the performance. Drinks are not included, but the bar is there if you want wine or something else to sip during the show.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you go
- Finding Tablao Flamenco El Mentidero in Alicante’s Port (Muelle 6)
- Seating and the stage-view advantage that changes everything
- Show-only vs show + tapas: how to pick the right evening
- Show-only
- Show + tapas menu
- Tapas tasting dinner: what you actually get (and why it works here)
- Drinks not included: how to plan your wine and bar budget
- Dietary needs handled by WhatsApp (gluten-free, lactose-free, Halal)
- The flamenco show: what makes it feel intense and real
- Timing, pacing, and why the night feels smooth once you’re seated
- Who should book this flamenco night in Alicante
- Price and value: is $17 a bargain?
- Should you book Tablao Flamenco El Mentidero in Alicante?
- FAQ
- How long is the flamenco experience?
- What are my ticket options?
- Are drinks included in the ticket price?
- What food is included with the tapas option?
- Do they offer gluten-free, lactose-free, or Halal options?
- Where do I meet for the experience?
- Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
- Is this suitable for young children?
- Can I cancel for a refund?
Key points to know before you go
- Muelle 6, Port location: Easy to find in the marina area, right by the water.
- Every seat has a stage line: You’re meant to watch closely, even if you’re not in the premium zone.
- Two ticket styles: Show-only for about an hour, or show plus a tapas tasting dinner for a longer evening.
- Tapas are the dinner focus (not drinks): You’ll eat before and around the performance, with dessert coming in the same flow.
- Allergy-friendly tapas available: Gluten-free, lactose-free, Halal, and other needs are handled by request via WhatsApp.
- Professional cast and tight rhythm: It’s a fast, intense show, driven by guitar, singing, and footwork.
Finding Tablao Flamenco El Mentidero in Alicante’s Port (Muelle 6)
This flamenco night is set up for convenience. The meeting point is in the Port area at Muelle 6, Zona de Levante, Modulo 16, Planta Alta (Marina Deportiva del Puerto de Alicante). In plain terms: you’ll start at the marina, then look for the building and go up to the floor where the tablao is.
I like that the location makes sense for an evening plan. Before or after, you can wander the harbor without needing a car or a complicated route. If you’re walking in from the center of Alicante, just give yourself a little extra time and orient yourself around the Marina Deportiva del Puerto de Alicante first, then follow the exact “Modulo 16, Planta Alta” details.
Once you’re inside, expect a venue designed for viewing the stage, not a big concert hall. That matters because flamenco’s energy depends on closeness: footwork, clapping, and the way singers project.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Alicante.
Seating and the stage-view advantage that changes everything
The biggest reason people love Tablao Flamenco El Mentidero is simple: you’re positioned to watch. The show is on a proper tablao stage, but what’s special is how the seating is laid out so you’re not far away or blocked.
You’ll have two different seating experiences depending on what you choose. There’s a premium area that’s close to the stage, and then there’s general seating where visibility is described as excellent too. Translation: you’re not paying just for a ticket; you’re paying for the feeling of being part of the room.
Also, the show isn’t background entertainment. It’s the kind of performance where the sound is part of the drama. With professional guitar, intense singing, and rhythmic footwork, you’ll feel the beats in your chest more than you’ll “hear a playlist.” In this setup, you can track the musicians and dancers as individuals, not just as a blur of movement.
One practical note: tables can be close together. If you’re hoping for lots of personal space while you eat, plan for a compact dining layout and keep expectations realistic.
Show-only vs show + tapas: how to pick the right evening
This is the decision that affects everything: do you want flamenco as the main event, or flamenco plus a full meal.
Show-only
If you choose the performance-only ticket, the evening is usually straightforward: you get the flamenco show without the dinner service. Based on the stated duration and the way the evening runs, this is best if you’re on a tight schedule or you already ate earlier.
The upside is focus. You sit down, the guitar starts, the dancers step in, and you’re fully on show time. The drawback is also obvious: you don’t get the tapas pacing or the longer dinner-to-performance flow.
Show + tapas menu
If you want tapas, you’re choosing a longer, more social plan. The tapas option includes a tasting menu of traditional Spanish tapas as a full dinner experience, with courses that can include starter, main, and dessert (and dessert timed before the performance begins).
This option feels like better value when you don’t want to hunt for food after the show. It also changes the vibe: you arrive hungry, settle in, eat, then the room turns from dinner mode into performance mode.
If your priority is budget or simplicity, show-only is the clean choice. If your priority is an all-in Spanish evening, the tapas option makes sense.
Tapas tasting dinner: what you actually get (and why it works here)
The tapas menu is designed to complement flamenco, not compete with it. You’re not going to this place for fine-dining formality. You’re going for a full Spanish tasting menu that keeps you fed through the evening so the show can stay the main act.
From the experience details, the menu is a tasting-style dinner of traditional Spanish tapas. That typically means multiple plates over a meal arc rather than one big dish. People also mention the tapas being delicious, filling, and presented as part of the evening flow.
A couple practical tips help:
- Go in hungry. Multiple notes describe the tapas as satisfying, so you’ll enjoy it more if you haven’t already eaten.
- Expect food service to be paced for the show. The dinner portion isn’t meant to drag. Dessert is served shortly before the performance begins, so you’ll transition from eating to watching without losing the momentum.
If you’re picky about textures or have a complicated allergy, this is still manageable, but you’ll want to request your needs clearly ahead of time (more on that below).
Drinks not included: how to plan your wine and bar budget
Drinks are not included with either ticket option. That’s important for your planning because a flamenco night can turn into a “surprise total” if you forget alcohol is extra.
That said, the bar is part of the atmosphere. Wine is available, and people describe it as reasonably priced, with options that won’t feel like a tourist trap. Coffee is also offered, and it’s described as affordable.
One limitation to keep in mind: drink selections aren’t described as huge. If you’re hoping for a very specific bottle, cocktail, or long wine list, you might find the menu more focused than you expect.
My practical advice: set your beverage budget before you arrive. If you’re doing show + tapas, you already have a fixed food cost. Add drinks only if it fits what you want to spend for the night.
Dietary needs handled by WhatsApp (gluten-free, lactose-free, Halal)
This is one of the strongest practical benefits of Tablao Flamenco El Mentidero. Allergy-friendly options are available for the tapas menu when you request in advance via WhatsApp. The information specifically mentions:
- Gluten-free
- Lactose-free
- Halal
- Other allergy-friendly menu options upon request
Important: the dietary accommodation is tied to the tapas/dinner option. If you’re booking show-only, there’s no tapas menu to modify, so your focus should be on the performance.
How to use this smartly:
- Message your needs clearly when you book (or soon after).
- Mention what you need to avoid, and confirm that your request is for the tapas portion.
If you’ve struggled to find Spanish dinners that respect gluten or dairy limits, this alone can make the tapas option feel worth it.
The flamenco show: what makes it feel intense and real
Flamenco at El Mentidero is a professional production built around three core elements: singing, guitar, and dance. In other words, you’re not watching a diluted “performance package.” It’s structured like a real flamenco room: the musicians drive, the singers pull at the emotion, and the dancers answer with footwork and posture that look effortless only because they’re not.
People repeatedly highlight the passion and professionalism: intense singing, strong guitar work, and dancers who hit rhythm with power and control. The show is also described as intimate, meaning you get close enough to notice details that bigger venues can hide—like how quickly dancers shift energy between moves, or how the musicians react to the dancers in real time.
There’s also a “duende” element in the framing of the experience. You don’t need to know flamenco theory to feel it. When duende shows up, the room feels charged, like emotion is being performed as much as steps are being performed.
Duration-wise, the performance portion is around an hour for show-only ticket holders, which keeps the experience focused. You get concentration rather than long fatigue.
Timing, pacing, and why the night feels smooth once you’re seated
The evening runs on a clear rhythm: eat, then watch. With the tapas option, the courses are paced so they don’t take over the show. With show-only, it’s a more direct transition into the performance.
A small practical suggestion that can save you stress: arrive a touch early and ask staff when the show starts and how the meal timing works for your ticket type. A few people have noted that guests can feel unsure about when food appears versus when the performance begins. You can fix that fast with one quick question at check-in.
If you’re sensitive to waiting, choose the show-only ticket. If you’re okay waiting a little and want a complete dinner, choose show + tapas.
Who should book this flamenco night in Alicante
This works best for:
- You want a flamenco show in the heart of the Port area without complicated logistics.
- You care about watching closely and hearing clearly, not just being in the same city as flamenco.
- You want the option to handle food at the same place as the show, especially with gluten-free or lactose-free needs.
It might not be the best fit if:
- You’re expecting a long, multi-hour performance.
- You’re uncomfortable with tight seating between tables.
- You’re traveling with a very young child. The experience is not suitable for children under 5.
For accessibility, the venue is wheelchair accessible. If seating needs are specific (like knee comfort), it helps to communicate that during check-in so staff can place you more comfortably.
Price and value: is $17 a bargain?
At around $17 per person, this kind of flamenco show is strong value when you compare what’s included.
Here’s the practical way to think about it:
- The ticket covers entry to a live flamenco show with professional artists.
- If you choose the tapas menu option, you’re also paying for a tasting-style Spanish dinner built into the same evening.
- Drinks are extra, so your real total depends on what you order at the bar.
So for value, the key question is not just the base price. It’s whether you’ll use the dinner option. If you’d otherwise spend money on food nearby, the show + tapas ticket often makes the most sense. If you already ate or you want a quick, focused evening, show-only keeps things simple.
Either way, you’re buying intimacy and professional performance. That’s the part the price is paying for.
Should you book Tablao Flamenco El Mentidero in Alicante?
If you’re choosing one flamenco experience in Alicante, I’d book El Mentidero when you want:
- a close-up viewing setup,
- a professional show that’s intense without dragging,
- and a tapas option that can work for gluten-free or lactose-free needs.
I’d skip it if you need a very long show, or if you’re strongly uncomfortable with close table spacing. And if you’re picky about drink selection, plan to keep drinks modest since they’re not included and the bar options may be limited.
Bottom line: for a Port-side night that feels like Spanish culture rather than a hurried tourist stop, this is a smart call.
FAQ
How long is the flamenco experience?
The duration is listed as 1 to 2.5 hours, depending on the option you choose.
What are my ticket options?
You can book a show + tapas menu option (tasting tapas included, drinks not included) or a show-only ticket (performance only).
Are drinks included in the ticket price?
No. Drinks are not included in either ticket option.
What food is included with the tapas option?
The tapas option includes a tasting menu of traditional Spanish tapas as a full dinner experience.
Do they offer gluten-free, lactose-free, or Halal options?
Yes. Allergy-friendly menu options including gluten-free, lactose-free, and Halal are available for the tapas menu upon request via WhatsApp (when you select the dinner option).
Where do I meet for the experience?
The meeting point is Muelle 6 Zona de Levante Modulo 16 Planta Alta (Marina Deportiva del Puerto de Alicante).
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the experience is listed as wheelchair accessible.
Is this suitable for young children?
No. It is not suitable for children under 5 years old.
Can I cancel for a refund?
Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.























