Premier nightlife spots to enjoy in Spain
Spain is famous for its vibrant nightlife, and if you’re looking for a place to dance until dawn, you’ll find it here. While the big cities and beach resorts are your best bet, towns, even tiny ones, often have a disco open until the early hours. Just bear in mind that nightlife starts late in Spain, with clubs typically opening around midnight and staying open until 6am.
Madrid
There’s no better place to stay up late than the capital. Madrid’s nightlife is legendary, with a huge number of bars and clubs open well into the early hours. The city has spawned a number of music styles and trends, from 1980s glam pop to 21st-century electronica. Nightlife hotspots include the barrio of Malasaña, where the narrow streets south of Calle de Fuencarral are lined with bars and clubs. Start off with a few quiet drinks at one of the funky bars, then hit one of the clubs for some serious dancing. Chueca is the hub of Madrid’s gay scene, and it’s the place to be if you’re looking for a night out with a difference. The clubs and bars here are open to everyone, and you’ll find some of the most innovative music and wildest nights in the city. For a more relaxed night out, head to the Barrio de las Letras, where you’ll find a mix of traditional and modern bars and clubs along Calle de las Huertas and Calle del Prado. Salamanca is where the city’s well-heeled residents come to party, and you’ll find some of the most exclusive clubs and bars here, along with high-end restaurants and shops. Finally, the area around Gran Vía is home to some of the city’s biggest and best-known clubs, where you can dance the night away to the latest hits.
Barcelona
Barcelona also has some great nightspots. The city’s nightlife is as diverse as its culture, with everything from traditional flamenco to cutting-edge techno. The Barri Gòtic is the heart of the city’s nightlife, with a warren of narrow streets filled with bars, clubs, and live-music venues. Start off with a few quiet drinks at one of the intimate bars, then hit one of the clubs for a night of dancing. The area around Raval is another nightlife hotspot, with a mix of traditional and modern bars and clubs. The Eixample district is home to some of the city’s most stylish clubs and bars, many of which are open until dawn. For a more relaxed night out, head to the Gràcia district, where you’ll find a mix of traditional and modern bars and clubs along Carrer de Verdi and Carrer de Torrijos. The area around the Port Olímpic** is also home to a number of clubs and bars, many of which have stunning views of the sea.
Ibiza
Ibiza is the undisputed capital of clubbing in Europe, if not the world. The island is home to some of the biggest and most famous clubs, including Pacha, Amnesia, and Space. The season runs from May to October, with the biggest clubs opening in June and July. The island’s nightlife is centered around the towns of Ibiza Town and San Antonio, but you’ll also find clubs and bars in Playa d’en Bossa and Santa Eulària des Riu**. Many of the bigger clubs have a different theme each night, with world-famous DJs playing everything from house to techno. If you’re looking for a more laid-back night out, head to one of the island’s beach bars, where you can enjoy a drink while watching the sunset.
The Big Night Out
Big cities and coastal resorts have mega-discos, some of which can hold thousands of people. The most famous are the discotecas in Ibiza, which attract the world’s best DJs every summer. In Madrid, head to Fabrik, one of the largest clubs in the world, with a capacity of over 7000 people. The club has a huge main room, several smaller rooms, and an outdoor terrace where you can dance under the stars. In Barcelona, Razzmatazz is a club complex with five different rooms, each with its own style of music. The club hosts live concerts as well as club nights, and it’s one of the best places in the city to catch up-and-coming bands. In Valencia, La3 is one of the city’s most popular clubs, with a mix of electronic, indie, and pop music. The club has three different rooms, each with its own style of music, and it’s open until 7am on weekends. In Seville, Antique Theatro is a club housed in a former theatre, with a huge dance floor and regular performances by flamenco dancers. The club is open until 7am on weekends, and it’s one of the best places in the city to experience the local culture.
Spain’s nightlife is as diverse as its culture, with everything from traditional flamenco to cutting-edge techno. Whether you’re looking for a quiet drink or a night of dancing, you’ll find it here.**
