Cider sidra is something that should not be missed. The cider you will find in Asturias is natural cider and has a reputation all over Spain. Drinking cider in Asturias is a ritual in itself: it is poured from on high in order to incorporate air into the cider as it falls from the bottle to the glass. When you get your glass of cider it will be naturally fizzy. You are meant to drink in one gulp what the waiter offers you, leaving a little in the base of the glass. You then pour what's left out of the glass and hand the glass back to the waiter, who will pour another glass for someone else. Don't worry, though, he only ever pours about 2 mouthfuls at a time! Be aware that cider pouring is a messy business and the floor will get very, very wet and sticky which is why the floors of sidrerÃas are covered in sawdust.
In many other bars and restaurants there is cider available. Look out for signs saying "SidrerÃa" or "Chigre". The best place to find a number of SidrerÃas bz far is La Calle Gascona {100 mts from the Cathedral}. There are also plenty of wine bars close to Gascona street, on Calle Jovellanos. Do not miss El Patio de la Naranjas with friendly staff, good wine and tapas.
In the past bars used to close very late, but now there is a time schedule:Su-Th - bars close at 3:00am, discos close at 5:00am. Fri-Sat - bars close at 5:30am, discos close at 7:00am.
There are mainly 3 areas:
El Cristo. In this area you can find mostly bars and pubs, and some after hour. Mostly middle age people in their 30s and 40s.
El Rosal. It is where large numbers of youth go on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons and evenings 3pm to 10pm. Once the adolescents have left, youngsters in their early 20s will take their place.
La calle Mon. The vast majority of people end their night in this narrow and noisy street. People here are usually in their 20s and 30s. Erasmus students can be regularly found in "El Escondite" and on Tuesdays in the "Asturiano", for the Erasmusquiz.
