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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.
Superstar 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 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 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 guideDapper 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 guideHarlem it ain't, but this Cotton Club is still a great place to dance. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, a clientele of twenty- and thirtysomethings comes...more
see the Bilbao + Basque Country guideA cozy sliver of a bar, with a faintly nautical decor and a sound system piping in rock hits from the '70s and '80s, Corto Maltés packs in a diverse...more
see the Bilbao + Basque Country guideTaking in a flamenco show in Madrid can be a fantastic experience, but beware cheesy imitations—tourist traps abound. Moreíra is the real deal, the...more
see the Madrid guideThe Born area of Barcelona—a ten-minute walk from the Ramblas and Barri Gòtic—is a magnet for night owls. Bars from the insalubrious to the...more
see the Barcelona guideArchitect Ignacio García de Vinuesa has created a memorable visual experience at this tapas and cocktail bar: Recessed lamps emit a warm, romantic light...more
see the Madrid guideThis plant-filled 19th-century patio offers one of the most authentic flamenco experiences if—like most people—you'd rather not stand around in a...more
see the Seville guide
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