Many of the opinions about Bodrum have included a brief mention of its one main nightclub 'Halikarnas', well known in the south west region of Turkey which surrounds the resort of Bodrum. Having visited this part of Turkey two years ago, I'd like to enlighten you on the subject of Bodrum's nightclubs...

Just to clarify, I was on an Escapades holiday with my other half; this is the Airtours version of 18 - 30's and 2wentys. We were really there to relax rather than give ourselves hangovers every day, but when the Airtours/Escapades reps were putting on a cabaret at Halikarnas, the most famous nightclub for miles, we couldn't say no after hearing how fantastic it is from many sources (not least the brochure).

So on the allotted night we went along. On entering the place we have to walk along a narrow dark passage to reach the main body of the club - claustrophobics would have already turned back at this point. However, it was worth it: the club is an open air semi-amphitheatre with the dancefloor taking up the centre circle - rather a novelty for the two of us who are used to playing sardines in Durham's finest haunts. There were pillars around the edges designed to look like refurbished remains of the Parthenon, a large stage at one side of the dancefloor, and the rows of seats and balconies characteristic to an amphitheatre.

The club must do some good deals; we paid a lump sum (I can't tell you the English equivalent due to their monopoly style money which made us overnight millionaires) and all the beer, raki (Turkish aniseed drink which makes you pass out after three glasses - revolting in my opinion) and soft drinks were free from there on in. Mind you, the Turkish beer is usually about 50p per pint anyway, cheaper than coke :-o

I shan't bore you with the details of the cabaret, but afterwards many of us stayed on for the night. Once it was dark the lasers were switched on and shone out into
the sky over Bodrum. They even lased the word 'Halikarnas' on the side of Bodrum Castle which was terribly impressive, again largely due to our being used mainly to Durham's offerings! The music was pretty characteristic of the latest offerings from Ministry; although there were no guests that night, they tend to get a lot of names in during the summer months (eg Judge Jules types). I believe they have lots of foam parties as well, although I wasn't ruining my nice summer clubbing outfits at one of those!

The experience of a beautifully-kept open-air club on the warm September nights in Bodrum was amazing. The music was great, the atmosphere was pretty good (lots of twenty-somethings from England combined with the Turkish locals, all out to have a laugh), and the view from the dancefloor was stunning: a 180 degree sweeping view of Bodrum Bay. You can't get that kind of a night out over here.

However, the nightclub scene there just got better... new for 2000 was M&M's. Some might say it was risky trying to open another night club when the competition came in the form of Halikarnas, right across the bay. How did they compete? Well M&M's is in fact a catamaran... Part of this club is on terra firma jutting out of a slightly seedy part of Bodrum. But the main body of the club is on a catamaran which sets sail at midnight, moves to the middle of the bay so that Bodrum and neighbouring Gumbet are tiny in the distance, and after a few hours rotating there it returns all the sleepy clubbers to the shore again.

Once again, Bodrum's latest nightclub offering is a huge novelty. M&M's is quite the opposite to Halikarnos despite it also being open-air, although there are some sheltered parts in case of need. There are lights everywhere and everything is trendy and modern. Take the bar and the DJ stand for example: these were housed by a giant octopus. I don't really want to know whose idea that was. Many of the t
ables and chairs are of the rather high variety, and the dancefloor is see-through in places and separated into squares of different coloured flashing lights (OK, perhaps a bit of a retro touch there). This dancefloor is pretty small, but admittedly many of the visitors to M&M's are there for the novely of a midnight sailing trip more than the dancing. Being able to see the sea under our twinkle toes was, well, scary actually, but definitely good with it!

At the end of our night there (another amazing one, this time with 360 degree views of the bay, albeit at the price of freezing away in the sea air), we had the immense good luck to be waiting an extra half an hour to get to shore due to a spot of wonky parking on the navigator's side! I'm sure it doesn't happen often and we were of the privileged few to see it.

These two clubs, the best I have been to, really added something extra to our holiday. The prices were reasonable: I think M&M's works out to around a fiver or so each, although they always charge women less (??? Don't ask, I have no idea why!). The atmosphere was great in both places, largely helped by the Turkish people we met there being such a friendly bunch - they seem to live to make friends and have a laugh. I don't think any more clubs have been added since, but surely they'd be hard-pushed to come up with a better gimick than these two already present?

There are many other wonderful aspects to Bodrum and its neigbouring resort Gumbet, but they don't belong in this opinion. However, if you are fed up with Ibiza or Ayia Napa but still looking for a fun-packed clubbing holiday, then Bodrum is pretty close and I would imagine is also much cheaper! In case anyone is in any doubt that I am very impressed with Bodrum and its clubs, please note that I fully intend to return there within a couple of years and I shall certainly be paying a few visits to Halikarnas and M&M's!