canuckuphereathome

We know what days we'll be in Seville (Mon-Thurs in late September). Should we book flamenco on-line? Any suggestions as to which place to go and should we have dinner there or are the dinners at these types of shows "packaged, tourist" menus? Any suggestions on restaurants near the best flamenco? Thanks for any input you have.

Peteralan

We arrived at the tourist office in Seville basically to book accommodation and saw an ad there about an outdoor flamenco show so we booked for that the next night. It was in an open place in the round (or crescent). Fabulous Genuine show which seemed to go on for hours..gypsy dancers etc. I remember it did not start until late at night ( you probably know the Spanish do not eat early)..there was no food served there as it was after dinner.I hope you can get something like that as it was a highlight of Spain for me. Good luck!

canuckuphereathome

Would anyone know of outdoor flamenco shows such as Peteralan saw? Any other info re. booking ahead?

SharonNRayMc

El Arenal has seating at tables. From what I understand Los Gallos has auditorium style seating, where the seats are alligned in rows. We choose El Arenal because I wanted to draw while I watched the dances and throught it would be a more comfortable and pleasant experience to have a drink at the table. El Arenal also serves dinner, but we choose the drink only option. We arrived early and were seated very close to the stage. (We had also made reservations that morning.) Now, we were there off season (Feb). I would have loved to have the outdoor experience mentioned by Peteralan.

- Sharon

SharonNRayMc

Here are some good threads for you to read through:

Thread on Flamenco in Sevilla (from 2002, so it's a bit dated.)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1363591

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34422254

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1329713 (Pay close attention to Maribel's and Olga's suggestions. They are true experts: Maribel is the famous Maribel of Maribel's guides (http://www.maribelsguides.com) and Olga lives in Sevilla.)

- Sharon

CircleK

At that time of year, you probably wouldn't need to book ahead, but you may want to just for peace of mind. I have been to Los Gallos twice and it's been great both times, but I haven't experienced El Arenal or the others, so I can't compare. Los Gallos does seat people primarily in rows, but they also have small cocktail tables along the sides, so I'm sure you could request one of those if you prefer. They do two shows each night so you can either have dinner then go to the late show, or see a show then have dinner.

Christina

I only saw the one at Los Gallos and didn't book ahead and saw no reason to. I don't think they served dinner, it was just drinks and show.

The seats are in rows, but there is a small table between each two seats, basically, as I recall. I don't picture what CircleK is saying about the tables only being on the sides--I thought they were everywhere. They serve drinks, they have to put them on something. I was on the side which was just nice because you were more separated from the main part of the audience. Just like a night club. It is not auditorium-style seating. YOu could easily draw in a notbook on that table, but it was too small for two people two have dinners on it, I'd say.

CircleK

sorry, my description was confusing! you're right, they do have tables throughout the rows, in between every couple of chairs. what i was describing were the other tables (and chairs) that they have off to the side so you can sort of have your own little space rather than being in a row with lots of other people. sounds like we both sat in the same place.

as for restaurants, i'd have to get my books out to give a complete answer, but i think we ate at egana oriza that night (wonderful restaurant - rather pricey, but nowhere near what you'd pay for the same food in other cities) and walked to the show afterwards.

richardab

Here is the thread I started which includes a show i saw in seville that we really liked...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...rdab&fid=2