Starco, Playa de las Américas: A Guide to the Bar Centre

Starco is a commercial centre in Playa de las Américas that turns into a busy bar zone at night, with sports pubs, karaoke and show bars, and a few late venues. It sits just inland from the Veronicas strip and is where many people start their night before crossing to the clubs. It tends to get lively from around 10pm.

Line-ups at Starco bars change often. DoTenerife lists tonight’s shows in Playa de las Américas with Tenerife-time start times, so you can check who is on before you walk over.

Where Starco is and how to get there

Starco is on Avenida Arquitecto Gómez Cuesta, roughly 200 metres back from the seafront. The Veronicas strip is across the main road, and the two are linked by a pedestrian underpass, so you can move between them in a couple of minutes.

• On foot: easy from hotels in central Playa de las Américas and the southern edge of Costa Adeje.
• From Los Cristianos: about 25 to 35 minutes along the seafront, or a short taxi ride.
• Taxis: there are ranks nearby on the main road, and taxis pass constantly at night.

What you will find

Starco is a multi-level centre, so by day you will see shops, a supermarket and cafés. After dark the bars take over. Broadly, they fall into a few types:

• Sports bars with large screens showing football, rugby, boxing and darts. Lineker’s Bar, one of the long-standing names, is based here.
• Karaoke bars, often busy with groups.
• Show and cabaret bars with singers, drag or comedy-style acts.
• Late bars and small clubs for those who are not ready to cross to Veronicas.

Venues open, close and change hands regularly, as in any busy resort. Names that were here five years ago may have gone, so check recent reviews or our venues directory before going to a specific bar.

A typical night at Starco

Watching sport at Starco

Starco is one of the best-known places in the south to watch Premier League, Champions League and international football. Tenerife is in the same time zone as the UK and Ireland, so kick-off times are identical. Big matches fill bars quickly, so arrive early if you want a seat with a view. See our guide to where to watch football in Tenerife.

Prices

Starco bars are generally in line with the rest of Playa de las Américas. As a rough guide, expect around 3 to 5 euros for a beer and around 5 to 9 euros for a spirit and mixer, with happy hour deals earlier in the night. Show bars usually have no entry charge; you buy drinks. Prices vary between venues and change over time.

Who goes to Starco

The crowd is broader than on Veronicas. You will see stag and hen groups, couples, groups of friends in their 20s to 50s and regular visitors who come back every year to the same bar. Earlier in the evening the atmosphere is more relaxed; it becomes louder and more of a party later on.

Tips for a good night

• Start here, finish on Veronicas. It is the classic route for a big night out.
• Agree prices first if a promoter offers a deal.
• Watch your belongings in busy bars, and keep your passport in the hotel safe.
• Plan the walk home. Use a licensed taxi if you are staying more than a short walk away.
• Respect the neighbours. Arona council has stepped up inspections of music venues in Las Américas after resident complaints, and noise in the street is not tolerated.

Accessibility

Starco is a multi-level centre, and some bars are reached by steps. If anyone in your group uses a wheelchair or has limited mobility, check access with the specific venue, and favour ground-level bars near the main road entrance.

Other places nearby

If Starco is too lively, the seafront bars of Playa de las Américas and the cocktail lounges of Costa Adeje are a short walk away. For karaoke specifically, see karaoke bars in Tenerife, and for the late clubs, read our Veronicas strip guide.