OCLT

OCLT, short for Oculto, is a cocktail bar on Calle Tomás López Torregrosa in central Alicante, and it's the place to go if you care about what's in the glass. It's built around a back bar of rare and hard-to-find spirits that goes well beyond the usual bottles. Reviewers rave about the collection of unusual tequilas, mezcals, whiskies and rums, and about bartenders who clearly know their stuff and enjoy guiding you through it. The cocktails are beautifully presented, the décor is rich and original, and the music sets a warm, enveloping mood. It opens every day from 5pm until 2am, so it works for an early aperitif or a late nightcap. It's more of a sit-down, sip-slowly spot than a party bar, which makes it good for a date or for showing a visiting friend that Alicante does serious drinks. Ask for a recommendation rather than ordering your usual.