The Best Areas to Stay in Barcelona for Nightlife

Ciutat Vella (which means “Old City” in Catalan) is the most historic area of ​​Barcelona, ​​where you can find neighbourhoods as representative of the city’s past as the Raval, Barri Gòtic or Gothic Quarter and the Born.

This district of narrow streets has the most central location of Barcelona and houses hipster and alternative bars, with interesting proposals that are very different to those in the modern neighbourhoods of the city.

Although Ciutat Vella is more about bars than clubs, it is still one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona for nightlife because of its precopeo venues where you can start the night early with just a few “pre-drinks”, as well as tapas, hybrids of bars and clubs, and some proper clubs.

In addition, around the Raval, there are some gay or gay-friendly bars, the most alternative nightclubs in the area, and authentic ethnic restaurants.

The Ciutat Vella connects with the rest of the city through lines 1 (Catalunya, Urquinaona, Universitat), 2 (Paral.lel, Sant Antoni, Universitat), 3 (Catalunya, Liceu, Drassanes) and 4 (Urquinaona, Jaume I) of the metro, so you can start here with a few beers and then move on to the clubs of other districts of Barcelona, ​​if you want to.

Keep in mind that the metro is open 24 hours during the weekends.

The Port Olympic area was built for the Olympic Games in 1992 and differs from the Ciutat Vella for its contemporary architecture, with buildings such as the Mapfre Tower and the Hotel Arts that are icons of Barcelona.

This marina, located between the beaches of Nova Icària and Barceloneta, is currently one of the main tourist centres of Barcelona.

In this area, there is always something to do. You can either go shopping in its shopping centres and stores, try the best seafood in its restaurants or just take a romantic walk through the harbour at sunset.

The nightlife of Port Olympic is among the liveliest in Barcelona. Because it is such a touristic place, it has a great variety of nightclubs and bars that are visited by people from all over the world, regardless of the season.

Port Olympic is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona for nightlife because of its welcoming venues and music variety. However, it must be taken into account that partying in this district is more expensive than in other districts of the city.

Port Olympic connects with the rest of the Catalan capital by line 4 of the metro (Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica) and by tram.

Eixample comprises the area of ​​the city with almost perfectly symmetrical grid-shaped streets. This district is structured around the Gran Vía de Les Corts Catalanes and Diagonal Avenue.

This district is located north of the Ciutat Vella and is considered the gay area of ​​Barcelona par excellence, with bars and clubs for the LGBT community, which has earned it the nickname of “Gayxample”.

However, the Eixample has nightlife options for all types of visitors since it is one of the areas with the most variety in terms of theme parties, bars, clubs and afterparties.

In the Eixample, you can dance to the rhythm of Latin music such as salsa or bachata or move to the beat of the latest pop, electronic and urban genres such as hip hop.

Therefore, the Eixample is the best area to stay in Barcelona for nightlife for those looking for a variety of musical styles or groups of friends. In addition, staying in the Eixample allows you to be close to attractions such as the Sagrada Familia.

The Eixample connects with other districts of the Catalan capital through lines 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the metro.

Poblenou is located west of Barcelona and, although in the past it was, mainly, an industrial area, it is currently one of the most trendy districts of the capital of Catalonia.

This district next to the beach is home to one of Barcelona’s best known and most iconic music venues: Razzmatazz.

Razzmatazz is a concert hall and club, where artists as important as Coldplay, Morrissey and Kanye West have performed.

Therefore, Poblenou is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona for nightlife and concerts.

In addition to Razzmatazz, Poblenou has classic tapa bars and craft beers, restaurants and horchaterías, shops devoted to horchata, a drink with a milk-like consistency that is made out of chufas (yellow nutsedges) and is great to recover from a hangover on hot summer days.

Poblenou connects with the other areas of Barcelona by tram and by line 4 of the metro.

The north side of Diagonal Avenue is home to some of the most exclusive clubs and bars in Barcelona, ideal for those who want to know the most luxurious side of the city.

The clubs in this usually have a dress code, so it will be necessary for you to get a good pair of shoes if you want to party in this area of Barcelona.

After all, it is not unusual to meet celebrities while clubbing in this part of the city.

To the north of Diagonal Avenue, there are also some shopping centres and tourist attractions such as the Palau Reial, making it a good area to stay in Barcelona for nightlife and sightseeing.

This area is also relatively close to the Camp Nou and connects with the main districts of Barcelona through line 3 of the metro.

Poble-sec belongs is part of the Sants-Montjuïc district and is located south of the Ciutat Vella. Today, it is a neighbourhood in full swing, with many bars and a relaxed atmosphere that is especially attractive for those seeking to get away from the most touristic areas.

Poble Sec stands out in a special way for its devotion to tapas. In the streets of this charming neighbourhood, you can find delicious croquetas, toasts, ham and Spanish tortillas that are usually accompanied by beer, wine or sangría.

Poble Sec is the home of the Sala Apolo, an old theatre converted into a nightclub and concert hall where events with different themes take place almost daily.

This area is also very hipster-friendly, as it has alternative style bars with affordable prices that blend with its typical Barcelona neighbourhood vibe and create an interesting contrast.

Poble-sec is among the best areas to stay in Barcelona for nightlife and is connected by lines 1, 2 and 3 of the metro.