For example the west of the Island (including the British protectorate of Peyia) the natives tend to gather round established drinking dens of an exotic nature such as ''The Queens Head'', ''The Bull and Bush'' or ''Eastenders Sports Bar''. Due to the poor rate of sterling versus the mighty euro most locals tend to go out in time for the local custom of ''happy hour'' where in one solitary hour they can quaff as much Boddingtons and Watneys Red Barrel as they wish for apound 2.50 euros a time, this usually leaves change from their 20 euro note for a bag of chips and scratchings from the local takeaway at 9.30 pm local time.
In years gone by where one drank depended on your politics with bars and coffee shops for each political party, this has however in recent years changed somewhat in that the bar one uses is decided by which football team one supports which is fine unless you happen to be a Wigan supporter in which case you will be drinking on your own.
Drinkers in the Limassol area tend to have habits similar to the above but tend to be slightly more affluent and also more cosmopolitan, partaking in local alchoholic beverages such as Keo and Brandy sours. A favourite game in this area is called ''dodge the drunken squaddie'' which I am sure is quite self explanetary, especially to those who have spent time on the Island. Brits on this end of the Island also tend to discuss Rugger as opposed to football and prove their willingness to blend in with the locals by eating Large donners with extra chilli and garlic mayo.
Onto Nicosia....an altogether different kettle of fish. Not many cheap drinks here. The expat can pay anything from 4 euro to 8.50 for a beer. So its no good drinking here unless you are working and not relying on your UK pension.Nightlife does however tend to be more sophisticated with lots of ''caberet'' bars featuring exoticeast european artistes, These establishments have in recent years taken over from the ''coffee shop'' as the meeting point for Cypriot males of all ages.
A tip for going drinking in Nicosia is to frequent various Cyprus message boards and ingratiate yourself with local posters. Once friendships are made by you using your vast knowledge of the Island then you may be lucky enough to be invited out, commomly known as a ''forum meet''. At the end of the meet the ''logarismo'' (bill) is usually split between all persons there. By drinking twice as much as your hosts you can usually get a good deal for a night out, as well as a terrifying lift home from your hosts who are all anxious to prove they are still sober.
The Eastern end of the Island has been dealt with on another blog.
Drinking in the North is an event that must be planned with military precision as the bars open and close with regular monotony, what can be open one evening may be boarded up the next. As in Pafos and Peyia the folk tend to go for the bars with happy hours and BOGOF offers and are usually tucked up in their tents at 9pm. ( a word of warning here, If drinking in the occupied areas do not mention title deeds as this is a sore point amongst expats in this area). Conversation usually revolves around selling properties and going to the south for medical treatment.
Happy Drinking
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