After Hours: Sand and surf by day, beer and music by night

BAGNOLI, Italy — A welcoming cool breeze from the Gulf of Pozzuoli wafts across plank wooden floors and whispers to patrons who lounge at a new nightclub that brings to the beach all that is chic of downtown Naples nightlife.

Altro, which opened May 25 and, for now, will only be a seasonal summer setting, is a nightclub that is more of a joint where patrons can come to lounge, share in drinks and conversation with friends, or take in an occasional show. There’s some dancing to be done, if the music and mood are right.

“The nightlife, for sure, is very suggestive,” said Matteo Bastioni, a club manager. “To be here on the beach, at night, is spectacular. We wanted the club atmosphere, but out in the open.”

Altro clubbers lounge on the chic scarlet seating and benches, set against the stark, clean lines of white tables, umbrellas, bars and canopies.

The club originally was open Thursday through Sunday, but it grew in popularity among the let’s-hit-the-beach-during-the-day- and-club-here-at-night crowd, who clamored for more, Bastioni said. The club is open daily, except for Mondays.

With the club set on the beach, with a view of the island of Nisida, owners made a shrewd and unique business decision — during the day, it caters to sun worshippers who can rent lounge chairs from the bar for 5 euros.

At night, with only the moon, perhaps, and the red ambient lighting providing a sensual glow, the locale morphs. Thursday, it’s a place where fans of 1980s tunes can come to relive the past. On Fridays, their VJs (videojockeys) display their talents on the four enormous movie screens.

Though not a restaurant, Altro serves cold dishes such as sandwiches, pasta salad, green salad, etc., at lunchtime, and a buffet of munchies such as pasta, pizza, and hot sandwiches for the late-night crowd.

Sundays, however, Altro tries to spice things up (spiced up for Italians, that is) with “American-style” fare, serving up grilled hot dogs and beer.

There is a cover charge of 10 euros on most nights, which includes one drink, Bastioni said. If the club features an artist, ticket sales might be required, he said. Parking is available in front of the club for 2 euros.

A calendar of events, directions and photographs are posted on the club’s Web site, though everything for the moment is written in Italian.

As always, if you drink, do so responsibly. Don’t drink and drive.

Altro

Bagnoli, Italy

Prices: Food items run about 4 euros. Drinks in the evening are 5 euros each.

Cover: 10 euros

Food: Sandwiches, salads, buffet fare

Clientele: All kinds

Dress: Casual

Location: Via Coroglio, 144, on the beach

Telephone: 335-879-0428 or 392-625-1228

Hours: