These Are The Best Nightlife Activities in Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona nightlife is legendary, for good reason. Gritty dive bars are just as popular as glittering nightclubs. You can slowly sip some absinthe alongside Boho hipsters or watch the sunrise on the beach. Avoid the crowds with an after-hours tour or catch a traditional, live flamenco show.

Who needs sleep, anyhow?

Whether you’re a late-night party animal or a nocturnal culture vulture, there are plenty of things to do in Barcelona at night.

Sip cocktails in a chic bar or speakeasy

Barcelona’s vibrant bar scene comes alive as the sun goes down. In fact, many a Barcelona night begins with sunset drinks at Mirablau. Perched alongside the hillside Tibidabo park, Mirablau serves up elegant cocktails along with stunning panoramic views.

For a sip of classic Barcelona, head to Boadas Cocktails near La Rambla. Boadas might be one of the oldest cocktail bars in the city, but this is no tourist trap. Expect a refined vibe and expertly-crafted cocktails.

Don’t let the crumbling walls and dusty chandeliers fool you: Bar Marsella is legendary. Bohemians from Ernest Hemingway to Antoni Gaudí himself have come here since 1820. Hemingway’s old haunt is best known for its signature drink, absinthe.

El Paradiso is a relative newcomer to the Barcelona nightlife scene, but it’s made a mark. This trendy, speakeasy-style cocktail bar is actually hidden within an unassuming sandwich shop in El Born. They do make a mean pastrami, but you’ll find the main attraction hidden behind a large, wooden fridge door.

Fuel your Barcelona night out with tapas

The Catalan capital also happens to be a buzzing foodie hotspot. An “early” dinner starts around 9:00 p.m. but most locals don’t head out until 10. You’ll need a big meal to fuel up for a late night. Try a little bit of everything with a traditional tapas dinner.

One of the hottest tables in town is Tickets, an avant-garde tapas restaurant near Poble Sec. Famous Catalan chefs Albert and Ferran Adrià run several popular spots nearby, including Bodega 1900.

No Barcelona night out is complete without a tasty helping of patatas bravas. Chunky, fried potatoes covered with creamy aioli and fiery tomato sauce? , yes, please! This classic Spanish dish is a staple on any tapas bar menu, but El Tomás is considered the best.

What other delicious dishes should you try? Escalivada is a flavorful dish of charred, Mediterranean vegetables. Locals also love fideuà, a version of traditional Spanish seafood paella served with noodles instead of rice.

Check out Barcelona’s live music scene

From jazz and indie rock to traditional flamenco, live music is a great way to enjoy Barcelona at night.

The city is home to a considerable indie rock scene, so be sure to check out a local band while you’re in town. Rock and punk fans should make a beeline for Bar Manchester. This is the place to be for old-school classics, acoustic nights, and local jam sessions. Also in the Gothic Quarter, Sidecar is an intimate venue known for its live, late-night gigs.

Jazz, blues, and funk are also gaining steam within the Barcelona nightlife scene. The popular jazz cellar Jamboree offers a more chilled-out vibe, but changes into a full-on nightclub after midnight in Barcelona.

Catching a traditional flamenco show is still one of the best things to do in Barcelona at night. Thanks to its authentic setting, Tablao Flamenco Cordobes is one of the most popular places to watch flamenco in Barcelona.

Dance til dawn at Barcelona’s best nightclubs

Watching a flamenco show will put anyone in the mood to dance! Luckily, you’re spoilt for choice in Barcelona. Anyone asking themselves what to do in Barcelona at night need only look to the city’s thumping nightclubs for inspiration.

The best clubs don’t really get going until well after midnight in Barcelona. Whatever kind of music you’re into, there’s something for everyone in the Catalan capital.

The biggest and arguably best nightclub in Barcelona is Razzmatazz. This epic club is spread out over five huge rooms, each playing a different genre of music spanning electro-rock to house. True techno lovers should head to The Moog, where Barcelona-based DJs spin the best techno beats in town.

For something a little more glamorous, try Opium on the waterfront or Luz de Gas near Eixample. Both spots are popular with the well-heeled, so make sure you’re dressed to impress.

Head to a Barcelona beach at night

Locals love nothing more than hanging out at the Barcelona beaches at night. In fact, Barcelona nightlife carries on long after the clubs close.

Grab your crew and head to Barceloneta Beach, the most famous in the city. The scene here after dark is lively and festive. Don’t be afraid to kick off your shoes! Nothing beats dancing in the moonlight with the sand between your toes.

While the party carries on at Barceloneta, there’s a more laidback nightlife scene to enjoy on the smaller Bogatell Beach. Pass a few Estrella beers around and listen as some locals strum their guitars nearby.

Even more things to do in Barcelona at night

Nightclubs aren’t for everyone. Thankfully, there are many more things to do in Barcelona at night. After-hours is a great time to see the city’s most iconic sights and avoid the crowds.

If you thought the city’s architecture was beautiful, wait until you see Barcelona, Spain at night! Gaudí’s Pedrera: The Origins tour is one of the best Barcelona night tours available. A nighttime visit truly brings Gaudí’s last completed masterpiece to life.

Atop the Parc de Montjuic, the enormous Font Màgica also puts on a nightly show. The ornamental “Magic Fountain” springs to life every night with a display of water jets, pyrotechnics, and music.

As you can see, it’s pretty much impossible to be bored in Barcelona at night. However you choose to enjoy Barcelona nightlife, this vibrant Spanish city has plenty to offer. Be sure to book your GoCar tour of Barcelona today.