Barcelona
With two adjoining if smallish dance spaces, Platforma feels like a clandestine location in an otherwise quiet residential street. Inside this friendly,…
Must-see nightlife in Barcelona
L'Eixample
Summer seats on the corner terrace of this wide-open bar attract guys hopping between the area’s gay bars. Inside, metallic horse-saddle stools are lined…
La Rambla & Barri Gòtic
An old-school cafe filled with both locals and visitors, La Pallaresa specialises in crispy xurros for dipping in thick hot chocolate and whipped cream,…
Barcelona
Neighbourhood fave Bar Calders bills itself as a wine bar, with a range of Catalan drops gracing its selection (glass €2 to €4). At weekends it's…
La Rambla & Barri Gòtic
Named after the lift (elevator) doors that serve as the front entrance, this clandestine drinking hideout – with its brick ceilings, vintage mirrors and…
L'Eixample
A terrific, friendly little stone-walled spot for South American-style tapas and unusual wines, where local regulars linger over the likes of patates…
Barcelona
This joyful bar feels a bit like a lost cabin in the woods with its wood-panelled walls, tiled floors and old sporting photos. Once you've wedged yourself…
L'Eixample
To be sure of a little Catalan-Irish craic, this barn-sized, storming pub beloved by locals and expats is just the ticket. Traditional Irish music…
El Raval
This enticing corner bar near the MACBA is one of several standout stops along the student-jammed run of Carrer de Joaquín Costa. It puts together some…
La Ribera
A spacious tavern in a Gothic building, this remains a classic on Passeig del Born for mixed drinks, enjoyed to the sounds of soft jazz and soul. Try for…
El Raval
Good things come in small packages, as this dark, teeny cocktail bar shows. The bold black decor lures in a largely student set for personalised cocktails…
La Ribera
While it sometimes hosts live acts in its sweaty basement, Magic is basically a straightforward, subterranean club blasting rock, indie, mainstream dance…
El Raval
Once a haunt of visiting US Navy boys, this exercise in Americana kitsch is the perfect way to finish an evening – if you can squeeze in. All sorts of odd…
Barcelona
Cold brews, flat whites and even your classic cafè amb llet (€1.50 to €4) are artfully crafted with beans from inland Costa Rica at laid-back Onna. Inside…
Barcelona
With weekend parties, rotating art exhibits, vintage decor and jazzy geometric-print walls, La Federica has become a favourite of the local LGBTQI+ scene…
Barcelona
Even the music hasn’t changed since this place got going in 1980. Those longing for rock ‘n’ roll crowd into this animated bar, listen to old hits and…
El Raval
A wonderfully low-key yet stylish bar on a street full of them, this busy industrial-chic place has excellent mojitos (€5 to €7), a fashionable crowd and…
Barcelona
This home of ron y son (rum and sound) has been going since 1992. A mixed crowd of Cubans and fans of the Caribbean island come to drink mojitos and shake…
L'Eixample
A long corridor leads to the dance floor of this venerable and popular club, located in a former 19th-century theatre. Music styles, from house and techno…
La Rambla & Barri Gòtic
This long-running cafe – dating back to the 19th century – serves up thick, rich chocolate with doughy, sugar-covered xurros (churros in Spanish), as well…
El Raval
Part of the recent explosion in the craft-beer scene, this cosy, beamed tavern has been given a new lease on life and now has 14 taps, featuring Spanish…
La Rambla & Barri Gòtic
You won’t believe this was once a tile-lined Andalucian flamenco musos’ bar. Now it's a dark, intimate dance space: sit at the bar, meet people around you…
L'Eixample
Spinning pop hits from all decades, Arena Classic has a spacious dance floor and attracts a fun LGBTQI+ crowd. There are various lesbian nights, including…
Barcelona
An almost entirely barcelonin crowd spills out into the street from Bar Leo, a hole-in-the-wall drinking spot plastered with images of late Andalucian…
Barcelona
A busy, classic Sant Gervasi meeting place, Marcel has an old-world feel, with a wood bar, black-and-white floor tiles, high windows and uncomplicated…
L'Eixample
The salsateca in town, this is the place to come for Cuban son, merengue, salsa and a whole lot more, across a couple of spaces. The free bachata …
Barcelona
Just back from the beach, this laid-back bar attracts a garrulous mix of locals and expats, who come for prime people-watching from outdoor tables near…
Barcelona
Happening little hang-out Sol de NIT has a small, cosy interior decorated with mosaics, old lamps and a soundtrack of jazz, and a large terrace on Plaça…
Barcelona
This men-only club night takes place once a month in the Poble Espanyol. Electronic music dominates and, in spite of the 6am finish, for many this is only…
Barcelona
Redrum's craft brews and cocktails (€5 to €9, including punchy margaritas) are complemented by Mexican street food (€6 to €10), especially excellent tacos…
L'Eixample
With shimmering walls and chandeliers, tightly packed El Cangrejo brings a taste of its kitschy original Raval sibling to the Gaixample. Chart-topping…
L'Eixample
A typical long, narrow Eixample bar with white-tiled walls, La Chapelle houses a plethora of crucifixes and niches that far outdo what you’d find in any…
Barcelona
Metro attracts a fun-loving gay crowd with its two dance floors, three bars and very dark rooms. Shows and parties can range from parades of dancers to…
L'Eixample
A big bar over two levels with a slightly older crowd, Punto gets busy on Friday and Saturday nights with its blend of Spanish pop and dance. It’s a…
L'Eixample
Cool for a low-key drink earlier on, Átame (Tie Me Up) heats up later in the night when the gay crowd comes out to play. There is a fun drag show Thursday…
L'Eixample
The music cranks up on weekends at this busy big bar for burly gay folk.
Barcelona
One of the largest nightclubs in the Port Olímpic area, beachside Catwalk has a capacity of 1000 over two floors. A well-dressed crowd piles in for good…
La Rambla & Barri Gòtic
Boulevard is flanked by striptease bars (in the spirit of the lower Rambla’s old days), and has undergone countless reincarnations. With three different…
Barcelona
Aficionados of good old-fashioned rock love this unchanging bar/mini-disco, a Gràcia classic. Grab a stool for a drink or head for the no-frills dance…
Barcelona
Wildly configured, this El Poblenou bar pays homage to the famously addictive American TV series, Lost. Its stone-lined interior is reminiscent of the…
