Flamenco hits hard in Alicante. At Tablao Flamenco El Mentidero, you watch clear stage views and live singing, guitar, and dance from a spot that feels close to the action. I like that it’s run like a real night out, not a rushed tourist show, with professional artists who play with real intensity.

One thing to plan for: drinks aren’t included, even if you book the tapas option. Also, if you want dinner, make sure you pick the show plus tapas ticket, since show-only is just the performance.

Key things that make this flamenco night work

• Stage views from every seat: no bad sightlines, whether you’re in the premium area or farther back.
• A tight, one-hour feel (often): the show runs at a pace that keeps attention locked on the performers.
• Tapas tasting menu option: Spanish small plates come with the show, but drinks are on you.
• Dietary requests handled via WhatsApp: halal, gluten-free, lactose-free, and other allergy-friendly options are available for the tapas menu if you ask ahead.
• A lineup that can change: performers may rotate, so the night can feel fresh rather than exactly the same.
• Good sound and rhythmic “body power”: guitar, voices, clapping, and footwork are set up so you feel the beat, not just hear it.

Where you’ll see real flamenco: El Mentidero in Alicante’s Port

Tablao Flamenco El Mentidero sits in the port area, at the Marina Deportiva del Puerto de Alicante. The setting matters. You’re not tucked away somewhere abstract—you’re in the harbor zone where the night energy is already turning on.

Inside, the place is styled in an Andalusian-inspired way, and it’s built for watching. The big practical win is that you get stage views from every seat, not just a lucky few. If you’ve ever paid for a show and spent half of it staring past people’s heads, you’ll appreciate how this layout avoids that problem.

You’ll see the full package: singing (cante), guitar (toque), and dance (baile). And when it’s done by pros, it’s not “background entertainment.” It’s focused, emotional, and very physical—especially the footwork and the way the dancers use silence between moments.

Show-only vs Show plus Tapas: pick the right ticket for your evening

You’ve got two straightforward options:

• Show and Tapas Menu: you get the flamenco performance plus a tasting menu of traditional Spanish tapas.
• Show Only: you get the performance only.

The show-only option is ideal if you want a quick hit of flamenco and already have plans for dinner elsewhere. Multiple accounts describe the show-only experience as about an hour overall, which makes it easy to slot into your schedule.

The show plus tapas option is for the “make it a complete night” crowd. You’ll be eating while the venue is warming up and then switching your brain into performance mode. It’s not a fancy restaurant meal, either. It’s more like: arrive, enjoy good small plates, and then let the show take the spotlight.

One note: the venue timing can make the night feel smoother when you choose the dinner option, because food and show are paced together. When people booked just the show, they tended to focus on the performance flow and bar setup.

What the tapas menu adds (and what it does not)

If you book the tapas option, you’re getting a tasting menu of Spanish tapas included with your ticket. People describe the tapas as delicious, filling, and nicely presented—enough to matter, but still not so heavy that you feel stuffed before the first heel hits the floor.

That said, the tapas option is not the same thing as a full menu where you pick every course. Some diners wished there were clearer information about exactly what’s being served and when. My practical advice: if you want certainty, ask the staff about the dinner timeline when you check in, especially if your language skills are limited or you’re traveling with someone who gets cranky when schedules are fuzzy.

And here’s the line you should not miss: drinks aren’t included with either option. You can buy wine and other drinks at the venue, and the pricing is generally described as reasonable, but you should still budget for it.

Dietary needs: halal, gluten-free, lactose-free (and how to request them)

This is one of the strongest practical features of the experience. If you choose the tapas menu option, halal, gluten-free, lactose-free, and other allergy-friendly menu options are available upon request.

But don’t wait until you’re seated. The process is via WhatsApp ahead of time. If you care about dietary needs, message in advance and confirm you’re selecting the dinner/tapas option, since the allergy-friendly options are specifically tied to the tapas menu.

I also like that the venue aims to handle these requests without turning it into a drama. People describe gluten-free tapas as good quality, not like a last-minute compromise.

The flamenco show itself: why the venue makes a difference

Let’s talk about the show. Flamenco works best when the energy feels close and the sound is clear. El Mentidero does both.

The common thread from good nights here is intensity with control. You’ll see singing and guitar that don’t feel amplified for showmanship—they’re clear enough that you can follow the rhythm and emotion. Then the dancers bring it to life with footwork that lands like punctuation. Even if you don’t know flamenco vocabulary, you’ll understand it through timing, dynamics, and body language.

Another practical detail: the venue is described as intimate, with a setup that keeps you near the action. Some reviews note that tables can be close together, so if you’re bringing someone who needs extra elbow room, arrive early and ask staff if there’s a better seating arrangement.

Also, pay attention to what the performers do between moments. Flamenco is not just nonstop movement. The pauses are part of the art. If you let your eyes relax for a second—then the next guitar phrase hits—you’ll feel that duende the venue promises. That word gets thrown around online, but in a room like this, it actually makes sense.

Timing and duration: how long will your night take?

The total duration is listed as 1 to 2.5 hours, depending on ticket choice. In practical terms:

• Show-only: expect around one hour for the performance experience.
• Show + tapas: you’ll have time for the tasting menu plus the show, so plan a longer block.

One account connected with the dinner option mentions arriving just before 20:00 and then having dessert served shortly before the performance began around 21:00. That’s a helpful clue for planning dinner plans nearby, but your exact start time can vary by date.

My advice: plan to arrive a bit early. If you’re seated, you can settle in, check your view, and get the order of events clear. A couple of diners said they were unsure when the show would start and when food would arrive, so a quick question to staff at check-in can save you that little mental itch.

Price and value: what $17 gets you, realistically

The listed price is $17 per person. At that level, you’re not paying for a long, multi-course meal day. You’re paying for a live performance by professional artists, in a venue designed for visibility, with an experience that runs about an hour if you choose show-only—or longer if you add tapas.

So here’s how I’d judge value:

• If you’re a flamenco fan or want your first real flamenco night: the show-only ticket is a strong deal because it’s focused.
• If you need dinner and prefer something structured: the tapas option can be better value because it bundles food with the show.

What you should watch is the “hidden” extra costs: drinks. Several notes mention drinks being inexpensive or reasonably priced, and some even mention coffee options at low prices. Still, drinks add up fast, especially if you’re pairing wine with tapas. If you want to keep things simple, go for one drink, enjoy the atmosphere, and then call it a night.

Meeting point at the Marina: Muelle 6, Modulo 16, Planta Alta

This is in the port, so give yourself an easy walk and don’t assume you’ll stumble into it by accident at night.

Your meeting point is:

Muelle 6 Zona de Levante Modulo 16 Planta Alta (Marina Deportiva del Puerto de Alicante)

A couple of practical tips:

• Look for the marina port structure first, then climb/find Planta Alta (upper level).
• If you’re coming from busier harbor streets, allow a few extra minutes for finding the exact module number.

If you’re meeting a group, keep your phone handy; the host/greeter speaks English, Italian, Spanish, and German, which is useful if you need quick directions.

Service, atmosphere, and the small stuff that matters

The overall vibe here is friendly and organized. People describe table service as attentive, with staff who are helpful without being overly pushy. One important theme: the venue is designed for watching, so the staff generally supports that experience—food comes at the right moments, and the show stays the center.

Where it can slip is flow and clarity. A few diners asked for clearer cues about when the show begins and when food is served, especially for people doing the dinner option. If you like a predictable schedule, ask what happens next when you arrive. It takes 20 seconds and makes the night feel effortless.

Also, drink options can be limited, depending on what you order. That’s not a dealbreaker, but if you’re picky—especially about wine varieties—decide what you want early and don’t count on a huge menu.

Who should book El Mentidero?

This flamenco night is a great fit if:

• You want a real flamenco show with singing, guitar, and dance—not just a performance playing in the background.
• You care about seeing the stage clearly from your seat.
• You’re either hungry and want tapas included or you already have dinner plans and only want the show.

It’s less of a fit if:

• You need a long, multi-hour dining experience. This is performance-led.
• Your party needs lots of space between tables. Some seating is close.

One more suitability detail: it’s not suitable for children under 5.

Should you book this flamenco night?

Yes—if your goal is a focused, professional flamenco show in a venue built for viewing, this is a strong choice. The big reason is practical: stage visibility from every seat plus a tight performance length means you’ll actually watch, not search for a view.

Book the tapas option if you want an all-in-one evening and you can use the included tasting menu. Book show-only if you’re optimizing your schedule and prefer to eat somewhere else.

One last decision tip: if you have any dietary needs (halal, gluten-free, lactose-free, allergies), book and then message on WhatsApp ahead of time for the tapas menu. That’s where the venue can do its best work.

FAQ

What ticket options are available?

You can choose either a show-only ticket or a show plus tapas menu option. The tapas option includes a tasting menu, while show-only is performance only.

Is dinner included?

Dinner (a tapas tasting menu) is included only if you choose the option with tapas. If you choose show-only, food is not included.

Are drinks included with the ticket?

No. Drinks are not included, and you’ll be able to purchase beverages separately.

How long is the experience?

The total duration is listed as 1 to 2.5 hours, depending on the ticket option you select.

Is the flamenco view good from where I sit?

Yes. The show is designed so you have clear stage views from every seat, including a premium area near the stage and good visibility throughout the hall.

Can I request halal or allergy-friendly meals?

Yes, halal, gluten-free, lactose-free, and other allergy-friendly tapas menu options are available upon request via WhatsApp for the tapas menu option.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Muelle 6 Zona de Levante Modulo 16 Planta Alta in the Marina Deportiva del Puerto de Alicante.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the venue is wheelchair accessible.