As you’d expect from a vibrant and cosmopolitan destination such as Mallorca, the Balearic isle hosts a thriving LBGTQ community, mostly centred around the capital, Palma. With it comes some of the island’s liveliest bars and nightlife venues, of which these are some of the best.
Opened in 2016, this fun and friendly bar is one of the newest in Palma, but already stands out as the most popular LBGTQ bar in Mallorca’s capital. It’s located in the largely residential Arxiduc neighbourhood, just outside the city centre but within easy walking distance. Expect plenty of classic 80s and 90s pop, regular live shows and saucy party games. It’s also hetero-friendly, and has a happy hour on Fridays.
The largest gay disco on the island, La Demence (aka Luna) is housed in an old 19th-century mill perched on Palma’s old city walls overlooking the marina. As well as being a real hub for the city’s gay community, it is popular with the whole spectrum of LGBTQ partiers, as well as attracting plenty of straight revellers. Together with some world-class international DJs, expect spectacular shows, regular live acts and one of the liveliest dance floors in Palma.
This lesbian-oriented café is open to all and features a delicious menu of homemade and organic cooking, together with lots of local wines and beautifully presented cocktails. Located on the lively pedestrianised street of Calle Fábrica in trendy Santa Catalina, the café turns into a buzzy bar in the evenings and is open late into the night at weekends. It’s also home to the island’s biannual Ella International Lesbian Festival, featuring an extensive program of events and activities around the city.
One of the few gay bars outside of the capital, this small, owner-run venue is located in the mostly-German holiday resort of El Arenal. Open since 2006, the bar attracts a mixed and friendly LGBTQ crowd with music, dancing and regular drag and cabaret shows at weekends, plus there’s an intimate terrace for smokers.
Located in the trendy El Terreno district of Palma, by day Bar Michel is a café serving a great selection of homemade burgers and tasty tapas. By night it fills up with a buzzy, mostly local clientele, with chatty bar staff mixing up some great mojitos. Prices are reasonable and music is kept to a conversational level, plus there’s an alfresco terrace for those balmier evenings.
One of the oldest gay bars in Palma, Dark is a male-only, over-18s environment with industrial interiors catering to those looking for dark-room encounters. There are also regular fetish-themed parties, X-rated movies and game zones, plus a bar where you can just relax with a drink. There’s an entry fee most evenings, though it includes a free drink.
The name says it all at the XY Club Cruising Bar. This straight-friendly gay bar is located on an otherwise quiet street just outside the historic city centre. It’s spread over two floors, and has a cruising area with cabins and slings, plus a ‘secret room’ party zone late on Friday and Saturday nights. Entry is free most nights, apart from Saturdays, and it’s over-21s only. Prices are reasonable and you can expect plenty of fun shows, from erotic to drag.
