The Best Nightclubs in Barcelona, Spain

Razzmatazz – the king of Barcelona’s nightclubs – is actually five venues in one. The Loft is one of the best places in town to hear techno, electro and dubstep, while Lolita plays a mixture of house, electropop, nu-disco and electronica. Indie lovers should head to the Razz Club, the Pop Bar is your go-to for classic pop and the Rex Room is the venue’s main dance floor and live-music stage, which has welcomed the likes of the Arctic Monkeys, Passion Pit and Calvin Harris.

MOOG is Barcelona’s ultimate electronic music venue. Among the most well-regarded nightclubs in Spain, this place has a Berlin underground feel, except under the Mediterranean sun. Open 365 days a year, MOOG helped introduce electronic music to the city back in the mid-1990s when it opened, and it continues to host some of the biggest names in the electro, house and techno scene throughout the year.

This former theatre, which dates back to the early 20th century, is one of Barcelona’s most authentic nightclubs, playing a mixture of different genres throughout the week. Nasty Mondays is an event that’s all about rock, pop, indie, garage and electro-rock, whilst the colourful Cupcake party on Thursdays is for those who love vintage pop hits. On weekends, the Nitsa party is the famously dark, cramped and sweaty hang-out of electronic music lovers. Located close to Barcelona’s historical showbiz heart of Avinguda del Paral·lel, this spot also hosts concerts by international bands.

Party like you’re in Ibiza at Pacha, Barcelona, located by the waterfront in Port Olímpic. With a big name like Pacha, one of Ibiza’s legendary clubs, comes big acts – and many of the hottest DJs of dance, electro and house have played at the venue. Elsewhere, on Sundays, enjoy slightly different sounds, including hip-hop, R&B and reggaeton. You’ll want to dress up to visit Pacha Barcelona, as it’s not shy of a little glamour.

Opium Barcelona, just a few doors down from Pacha on Barceloneta Beach, is a sophisticated nightclub with one of the strictest dress codes in the city. High heels, designer labels and magnums of champagne are all part of the atmosphere at this exclusive club, which has attracted a few celebrities on occasion. The dance floor features white-satin couches, chrome-and-glass tables and sleek modern decor, and the chic crowds dance to the beat of mainstream electronic music.

An alternative to the city’s electronic music scene, Marula Café, in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, is a cosy and dark venue that plays R&B, soul, afrobeat and jazz. The nightclub has a laid-back atmosphere and a friendly vibe, attracting as many residents as tourists. In addition to the club nights, live music is a regular occurrence.

Shôko, right on Barceloneta’s seafront promenade, is a lounge club and restaurant decorated with glamorous Asian-influenced decor. The ambience is cosmopolitan and chic, but keep in mind that you’ll find more tourists than Barcelona locals here. Music is mostly hip-hop, commercial hits and DJ sets, but there are also different parties throughout the week – be sure to check out its website for upcoming events.

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Bump shoulders with the city’s glitterati and cosmopolitan jet-set crowd at Eclipse. This exclusive bar, on the 26th floor of the five-star W Barcelona on Barceloneta Beach, offers exceptional panoramic views of the whole city. It is unlike any other nightclub in Barcelona and has a strict entrance policy – so dress to impress.

Jamboree is among the best jazz clubs in the city, with live performances almost every day. It’s also one of the hottest places for hip-hop, R&B and funk. This underground club, in the popular Plaça Reial just off La Rambla, attracts a mixed crowd including some serious music lovers and acclaimed jazz musicians.

Sidecar Factory Club, in Plaça Reial, captures the true essence of Barcelona nightlife. This underground rock club, is popular with residents who love classic rock and indie; it hosts live concerts, DJ sets and Anti-Karaoke nights, where you can sing along to the likes of AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses and David Bowie. Space is limited, so get here early.

Ocaña is named after José Pérez Ocaña – an artist, performer and non-conforming gender activist. This stylish and bohemian venue in Plaça Reial is full of antique pieces and hosts a restaurant, a terrace, a cocktail bar and a club. The cocktail bar, Apotheke, offers a wide selection of live music, as does the club, which is in an underground vaulted space.

La Terrrazza, inside the quaint Poble Espanyol (an outdoor architectural museum and model village), is a rooftop nightclub specialising in house and techno. It’s open throughout the summer season and is one of the main venues during the Sonár electronic music festival, which takes place in Barcelona each year. Even though the open-air rooftop has to abide by restricted noise capacity, it offers a dance experience like no other in the city.

BARTS is located on the grounds of a former Gran Teatro Español (great Spanish theatre), in the heart of the El Paral·lel showbiz district. The venue still manages to feel intimate despite its seating capacity of approximately 900, along with two upper galleries that surround the concert hall. It is well-loved for its cabaret shows and stand-up comedy nights.

Macarena Club, tucked away in the backstreets of the Gothic Quarter, is a popular electro and house nightclub famous for having one of the smallest guest capacities in town – just 80 people are allowed in at any given time. Its size allows you to get up close and personal with the DJs, who play minimal, techno and house from a booth in the middle of the dance floor.

Arena Madre, in L’Eixample (otherwise known as ‘Gaixample’), is a gay-friendly club, which mainly plays pop music. It’s the mother ship of the Arena gay clubs complex – Arena Classic, Aire Chicas (a lesbian club) and Bar Punto. Sometimes, you can visit some of the other venues by using the same ticket – just check at the door.

Bikini Barcelona is part concert venue, part dance club. It’s a classic among younger clubbers and college students, who enjoy the unpretentious and simple, no-excuses party vibe. The music is eclectic, and the venue is divided into different spaces for live concerts as well as house and electro parties.

Known as ‘Disco Enfants’, this laid-back but wildly popular nightclub has been party central for Barcelona residents since 1965. It is located off Nou de la Rambla, so is easily accessible by public transport, and boasts two dance floors to suit every taste. On one, you can find the best disco music from the 60s and 70s and a sprinkling of Latin, while the second plays pop, indie and club classics.

EDM lovers flock to this club for in-demand DJs, the hottest tunes and rammed dance floors, where dancing goes on until dawn. This club, in the centre of the city on Avinguda del Paral, runs a record label and DJ school and is dedicated to tech-rocker beats, disco and electronic. It’s also the place to find bi-weekly parties from underground Barcelona collective Glove Party and monthly nights from D.R.O.P, inspired by wild nights in 80s Chicago and New York.

Arrive early to squeeze into this small but buzzing club loved by locals. Hidden away in a residential area on the Nou de la Rambla, Plataforma has been hosting packed parties since 1992. Crowds can expect to hear rock, 80s classics, reggae and even the odd live band – but it’s best known for Thursday’s heaving drum and bass night when you can expect queues down the street.

No need to dress up to hit the dancefloor at Magic. This much-loved nightclub, close to the Jaume I metro station on Passeig de Picasso, is all about great tunes, reasonably priced drinks and local DJs. It has two dancefloors, a lively atmosphere and is known for playing the likes of Queen, Arctic Monkeys and Madonna. Better still, entry is free all night on a Thursday and before 1am on Friday and Saturday night.

A sleek space popular with Barcelona’s beautiful people, The Bunker is just one minute’s walk from Urquinaona metro station on the Ronda de Sant Pere. It is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, between midnight and 6am, boasts an intimate bar upstairs and dance floor downstairs and plays soul, reggae and bass. Cash-strapped clubbers will also be pleased to hear it has one of the cheapest bars in Barcelona.