Alanya has a lively drinking scene, shaped almost entirely by the European package-holiday crowd. The resort strip along the beachfront — particularly the stretch west of the harbour heading toward Cleopatra Beach — has bars of every persuasion, from Irish pubs playing football to rooftop cocktail terraces overlooking the sea. It is not subtle, but it is cheerful and the competition keeps prices reasonable.
The harbour area is the more interesting end of the spectrum. Chairs and tables spill out along the waterfront in the evening, and the tea houses (çay bahçesi) tucked in among the fish restaurants are where locals sit for hours over small tulip glasses of tea with no pressure to order anything more. These are good places to sit and watch the harbour.
The old town up on the promontory has a scattering of small cafes in the lanes near the castle gate. They tend to be quieter than the resort strip and offer good views. Some are open only in the warmer months.
Rooftop bars are worth seeking out for the setting. Several hotel bars and independent terraces on the slopes of the promontory offer panoramic views over the harbour and out to sea. The atmosphere is relaxed rather than clubby, and the sunsets from these vantage points are excellent.
Nargileh (hookah) cafes are popular throughout town, often doubling as tea houses. They are open late and are particularly common in the streets around the bazaar.
Alcohol is freely available throughout Alanya. Efes is the dominant beer; Raki (aniseed spirit) is the national choice for an evening drink and goes well with meze and fish.