21 Best Nightlife in Barcelona, Spain

The marble bar of this former codfish shop once served as a display for fish; now it presents some mighty fine (and affordable) cocktails, along with beer and wine. If things get too crowded downstairs, there’s another floor above — if you can manage the impossibly narrow spiral staircase.

As the name implies, there’s a jazz soundtrack and a wide selection of local and international craft beers available here, on tap and by the bottle. The stone walls adorned with antique paintings and clocks give the space a warm ambiance.

In a former pastry shop, this vintage bar has retained so much of the 19th-century Moderniste facade and interior touches (onetime cake display cases are now filled with period memorabilia) that visitors might experience the sensation of time standing still. Divided into two equally inviting spaces, the front is usually packed with regulars, while the granite-topped tables in the back are popular with groups.

Opened by a trio of vermouth aficionados, Morro Fi (loosely translates as “refined palate”) began as a food blog that morphed into a bar determined to educate people about enjoying vermouth (they even produce their own brand) with select tapas. The result? Locals and the odd expat routinely spilling out into the streets, drink in hand, while indie music blares.

From the street, this indie-cool spot might seem too brightly lighted for gritty-glam Raval, but the mismatched sofas with oversize pillows and the eclectic selection of flavored gins, tequila blends, and imported beer attracts a steady flow of lounge lizards. 

Right off the tree-lined Rambla del Raval, the clientele at this popular watering hole is as colorful as the snazzy, red-quilted bar and moody green-blue lighting: expat students and pierced young artists rub shoulders with visiting rabble-rousers warming up for a wild night out. With its basic menu of classic cocktails and long drinks, the main attraction is arguably the space itself—the epitome of shabby chic (with an emphasis on shabby) with its calculated mix of modern and retro.

The twisted wooden fronds framing the bar's mirror, an 1888 vintage bar-top iron statue of a muse, and Art Nouveau touches such as curvy door handles make this one of the most atmospheric bars in Barcelona. It's also the second oldest, dating from 1860. (The oldest is the Marsella, another Raval favorite.) It's a good spot for evening drinks after hitting the nearby MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona) or for a pre-lunch vermut (vermouth) on weekends.

This tavern-esque basement spot hosts everything from open mic nights and comedy shows to jam sessions and monologues, and has dozens of handcrafted beer on offer, as well as a small food menu. There's a small outdoor terrace if you need a breath of air. 

El Raval has its gritty side, but there’s bits of glamor, too, and El Jardí gets a good dose of it. In the gardens of the former Hospital de la Santa Creu, during the summer months, El Jardí is the perfect reprieve from the heat and heavy foot traffic, serving a selection of classic cocktails and vermouth, as well as a hot and cold tapas. The place closes shortly before midnight, so consider squeezing in a visit around sunset or for a round of post-dinner drinks. 

This busy LGBTQ bar, decked out in quasi-religious memorabilia, attracts locals and visitors of all persuasions, tastes, and age ranges.

One of the city’s liveliest gay bars features a funky retro-style interior. It's a colorful backdrop for drag shows, including the venue's Queer Flamenco events.

With a rotating selection of 15 craft beers on tap—including local Catalan brews, international varieties, and its own brand of IPA—as well as a wide selection by the bottle, this lively spot is a beer-lover’s dream. 

There's no doubt about what the name of this laid-back Raval hangout pays tribute to: that of the early '80s Manchester scene, with the Joy Division and Happy Mondays and the Stone Roses. The sheer number of people (both locals and foreigners) crowding around the wood tables and dancing in the spaces in between suggest that a tribute is welcome.

Inaugurated in 1820, this historic venue, a favored haunt for artistic notables such as Gaudí, Picasso, and Hemingway, has remained remarkably unchanged since its celebrated heyday. The chipped paint on the walls and ceiling, cracked marble tables, and elaborate spiderwebs on chandeliers and bottles all add to the charm, but the main reason patrons linger is one special shot: Marsella is one of few establishments serving homemade absinthe (absenta in Spanish), a potent aniseed-flavored spirit meant to be savored and rumored to enhance productivity.

Resembling a prim parlor lounge with touches of kitsch, this cozy bar bistro with plush sofas, gilded mirrors, handmade knickknacks, and tastefully worn tapestry wallpaper has been a favorite hangout for young expats for more than a decade. Best known for its legendary brunch, night time here tends to be less crowded and more intimate. Try the Michelada, a dramatic alternative Bloody Mary reserved for the strongest constitutions: Corona beer mixed with hot sauce, Worcestershire, and tomato juice.

In a trio of ancient mansions on buzzy Plaça Reial's southern flank, this venue is dedicated to Jose Peréz Ocaña, a cross-dressing artist, LGBTQ activist, proud bohemian, and dominating figure of Barcelona’s post-Franco, alternative-culture explosion. Ocaña also has an underground club with live performances and the fiercest drag queen hostesses on the square.

This friendly LGBTQ+ bar in the heart of the "Gaixample" neighborhood opens in the morning and stays busy until late. Expect strong drinks and a fun, eclectic crowd of locals, visitors, and fabulous drag queens.

Plastered with photos and posters of legendary musicians and bands, this bar pays homage to all styles of rock-n’-roll , with DJs spinning everything from old-school rock to punk to heavy metal. There are also occasional live concerts.

A musical LGBTQ bar with billiards tables, this mid-Eixample hub is a clearinghouse for all persuasions and tastes, with women often outnumbering the men, pool tables or not.

The whimsical apothecary-like spirits cabinet, exposed-stone wall, and dramatic red lighting will be the first things to catch your eye, but the relaxed atmosphere and inventive selection of cocktails bring locals and expats back again and again. Check out the choice of home-brewed flavored gins tantalizingly displayed on the bar shelves in hand-labeled bottles.

This snazzy, high-ceilinged vermuteria has guests lining up to sample a generous selection of more than 40 vermuts served with traditional tapas. From bitter to earthy or aged in a barrel, the classic aperitif is the star attraction though other offerings include wine, beer, and juices.