Barcelona Nightlife

Barcelona is one of Europe’s best places to party with the city picking-up its rhythm after midnight and partying till dawn. For dedicated party animals, a seven-day BarcelonaNightCard (www.barcelonaturisme.com) offers free entry until 2am to 19 of the city's top clubs.

Each neighbourhood has a distinctive character – head to the Born for elegant, designer bars or to Raval for a more traditional vibe. The glitziest nightspots are at the stylish Port Olímpic or Port Vell, where the Maremagnum shopping complex transforms into a nefarious collage of cafés, bars and nightclubs. This area also plays hosts to several bars modernos themed with designer décor. More intimate venues can be found in the Gothic Quarter and are popular with locals and tourists alike.

The free seasonal guide See Barcelona (www.seebarcelona.com) and the Guía del Ocio booklet (www.guiadelocio.com/barcelona) both provide nightlife listings and are available from newsagents and newspaper stands. Caixa Catalunya runs the central ticket agency and has numerous ticket collection points throughout the city (www.ticketea.com).

 

Bars in Barcelona

7Sins

7Sins is lounge bar with a bohemian atmosphere that is sandwiched between Barcelona’s gay district and upmarket Eixample. In the early evening it serves burgers, beers and premium gins and caters to the after-work crowd, but as the night wears on, it starts to live up to its name with DJs taking over the basement and people hitting the dancefloor.

Address:
Carrer de Muntaner 7, Barcelona, Spain
Telephone: +34 93 453 6445.
El Quatre Gats

One of the most famous artists' hangouts in Barcelona is El Quatre Gats was inspired by the famous Le Chat Noir in Paris It is a classic bar decked out in antique paintings with teak wood frames, wrought iron chandeliers and a vintage bar. It has a good range of beer and live music from 2100. The original menu, designed by Picasso, is on show in the Museu Picasso.

Address:
Carrer Montsió 3, Barcelona, Spain
Telephone: +34 93 302 4140.
Sugar Bar

Hidden away in the dark streets of the Gothic Quarter, the Sugar Bar attracts a friendly low-key crowd of tourists, expats and locals who somehow manage to cram into its cosy red interior. With its reasonably-priced cocktails, a happy hour that lasts until 2300 and upbeat music, it's a good place to get the evening going.

Address:
Carrer Rauric 21, Barcelona, Spain
Telephone: +34 617 262 927.

Clubs in Barcelona

Les Enfants Club

The longest running nightclub in Barcelona first opened its doors in 1963 and is still going strong. There are two dancefloors, one with a mixture of disco and 1960s soul, the other a playing indie, pop and rock. Without the pretentions of some of the other Barcelona clubs, it attracts a friendly crowd there to enjoy themselves rather than be seen.

Address:
Carrer Guardia 3, Barcelona, Spain
Telephone: +34 67 754 3622.
Marula Cafe

Those after something other than techno will find it in this intimate club in the Gothic Quarter, which plays funk, soul and latin - but sometimes rock, pop and jazz as well. Two bars are separated by a small dance floor.

Address:
Carrer dels Escudellers 49, Barrio Gotic, Barcelona, Spain
Moog

The split-level Moog club, in the Chinese Quarter, offers the best of European techno and electro music and also hosts big international DJs. If you’re looking for something original, head upstairs for some indie retro pop numbers. Located right in the centre of Barcelona, Moog is small but extremely popular. What’s more: it’s open from midnight till dawn, 365 days a year.

Address:
Arc del Teatre 3, Barcelona, Spain
Telephone: +34 93 319 1789.

Live Music in Barcelona

Centre Artesà Tradicionarius (CAT)

For cultural performances, the Centre Artesà Tradicionarius offers traditional folk music from Catalonia, Spain and the rest of Europe. With a spacious, comfortable theatre, the centre hosts music concerts in the evenings. Here, you can expect to find regular harmonica, orchestra band and drum performances.

Address:
Travessera de Sant Antoni 6-8, Barcelona, Spain
Telephone: +34 93 218 4485.
Jamboree / Los Tarantos

Every night, the cavernous Jamboree hosts jazz and Latin and blues. On Mondays, the outrageously popular WTF vocal jam session is crammed with a young local crowd. Upstairs, slicker sister venue Los Tarantos stages flamenco performances and from midnight onwards connects with Jamboree to become one big nightclub playing Latin or funk sounds.

Address:
Plaça Reial 17, Barcelona, Spain
Telephone: +34 93 319 1789.
Sala Apolo

Known for its forward-thinking music policy, this club pulls in a reliable crowd almost every night of the week. Live music gigs - pop, rock, folk etc - take place until midnight, after which DJs - electronica and techno - take the helm.

Address:
Nou de la Rambla 113, Barcelona, Spain
Telephone: +34 93 441 4001.
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