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Spain nightlife
Spanish nightlife is legendary, and for good reason. This is the country that brought the world Ibiza-style house music and the international nightclub group Pacha. Yet not every night has to pulse with the beats of electronic and house music. Sophisticated cocktail bars are more popular than ever in Spain, as are theme bars (ever hear of Spanish country music?). Bohemian bars like Barcelona's Tinta Roja, with poetry readings, comedy nights, and classic film screenings, abound in the artsy districts of the big cities.
City dwellers tend to hit the first bar of the night after dinner ends (around 1 am), and then migrate to thediscotecas, or nightclubs, by 3 am, dancing till dawn. Cover charges vary widely, but you should expect to pay upward of 20 euros in classy venues. Dress to impress; trendy nightspots have strict dress codes and only allow those who look the part to cross their thresholds.
The Spaniards' deeply ingrained love for fiestas means that any city or town can host a good party, but a few stand out. Madrid residents are known as gatos (cats) for their late-night prowling; the city is famous for 3 am traffic jams caused by throngs of partiers. Seaside resorts, especially on the islands of Ibiza, Mallorca, and Gran Canaria, are also known for their nightlife.
Dapper in his dark suit, distinguished in his courtly manner, and wrinkled with cocktail wisdom, Fernando del Diego presides over his warmly lit zinc bar with a...more
see the Madrid guidePintxos are Basque-style tapas, bites atop slices of French bread, and they represent one of the most fun little traditional corners of Spanish cuisine....more
see the Madrid guideIn a city that has nearly as many bars as it does people, choosing a favorite is next to impossible. But for many, this emblematic cocktail bar comes close....more
see the Barcelona guideSuperstar DJ Pete Tong's move to Eden from Pacha in summer 2008 has turned around the fortunes of this nightspot, where Tong now headlines on Friday nights with...more
see the Ibiza + Mallorca guideWidely recognized as the white island's most glamorous club, the divine one is situated in the middle of Eivissa town's new harbor, affording captivating views...more
see the Ibiza + Mallorca guideOver 50 years old, this place—currently run by the fourth generation of the same family—has a cheerful bar in its front room and an informal sit-down...more
see the Bilbao + Basque Country guideGay nightlife in Barcelona is centered on a sizable swath of the Eixample district dubbed the Gaixample. Roughly outlined by the streets of Balmes, Comte...more
see the Barcelona guideIn keeping with the style consciousness of the neighborhood, this Malasaña lounge and dance club is owned by the artist Yurena, formerly known as...more
see the Madrid guideIf you can get in—and come early (before 10 p.m.) if you want to be guaranteed a spot—these bars in Hotel Urban are the hottest places in the city...more
see the Madrid guideThe Harlem Jazz Club is an icon in the city. An intimate club perpetually choking with smoke (seriously, you could cure meats in this place), it combines a...more
see the Barcelona guide
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