Barcelona L’Eixample

L’Eixample has upscale bars and some of the best—though not exclusively—gay nightlife in Europe. (Thus the area’s nickname “Gaixample.”) Some clubs can be difficult to get to, into, or back from; you may want to check out transportation ahead of time. Be sure to look up the NitBus schedule or the cost of a taxi home.

Z:eltas, C. Casanova, 75 (☎934 50 84 69; www.zeltas.net). Complete with shimmering cloth hangings, feather boas, and low white couches, this exotic bar welcomes a classy clientele—usually gay—to sip a drink and enjoy the ambience. Wine €3. Beer €4.50. Mixed drinks €7. Open daily 10:30pm-3am. MC/V.
Les Gents que J’aime, C. València, 286, downstairs (☎932 15 68 79). Pg. de Gràcia. You’ll feel like Serge Gainsbourg at his hippest lounging in this dark, subterranean bar’s velvet furniture. Background soul, funk, and jazz soothe patrons enjoying drinks like Les Gents (kiwi, lime, and pineapple juice; €7). Shotgun the chairs tucked beneath the staircase. Beer €4. Mixed drinks €6-7. Open daily 7pm-2:30am. AmEx/MC/V.
Espit Chupitos (Aribau), C. Aribau, 77 (www.espitchupitos.com). Universitat. From Pl. de la Universitat, walk up C. Aribau. Colloquially known as “The Chupito Bar” (the bar has grown so popular that there are actually now three locations in Barcelona), this bar serves shots with flair. Servers perform when delivering so-called spectacle shots (€2): the Harry Potter shot involves lighting the bar on fire and the Monica Lewinsky shot..well, let’s just say it’s best ordered for an unsuspecting friend. Other locations at Carrer de la Unió 35 and Passeig de Colom 8. Open M-Th and Su 8pm-2:30am, F and Sa 8pm-3am. MC/V.
Dietrich Gay Teatro Cafe, C. Consell de Cent, 255 (☎934 51 77 07). Universitat or Pg. de Gràcia. An unflattering caricature of a semi-nude Marlene Dietrich greets patrons at this inclusive gay bar. Beer €3.50. Mixed drinks €6. Drag shows, acrobatics, and dancing; check with the restaurant ahead of time. Open M-Th and Su 6pm-2am, F-Sa midnight-3am. MC/V.
La Chapelle, C. Mutaner, 67 (☎934 53 30 76). Universitat. Walk up C. Mutaner. La Chapelle’s decor juxtaposes antique devotional carvings with ultra-modern bubble lights. Gay-friendly. Beer €2.50. Mixed drinks €5. Open daily 4pm-2am. MC/V.
Atame, Consell de Cent, 257 (☎934 54 92 73). Pg. de Gràcia or Universitat, L2/3/4. The door of this gay bar is draped in a rainbow flag, but otherwise the decor is sleek and minimalist. A mostly male, friendly, and energetic crowd shows up 7 nights a week for drag shows and more. Beer €2-3. Mixed drinks €6-7. Open M-Th and Su 6pm-2:30am, F-Sa 6pm-3am. MC/V.
Dow Jones, C. Bruc, 97 (☎932 07 63 75). Passeig de Gràcia. Walk down C. Arago until you hit C. Bruc; make a left. At this stock-market themed bar, drinks (€2.50-7.50) are priced according to how frequently they’re ordered, with the constantly-changing prices displayed on a TV screen. The best of i-banking (nice drinks) with the best of NASDAQ (large, lively crowds). The walls are papered in the Financial Times. Open M-F 7:30am-3am, Sa-Su noon-3am. MC/V.
Plata Bar, C. Consell de Cent, 233 (☎934 52 46 36). Stainless steel patio tables and a mostly male clientele spill from this corner bar onto the sidewalk. Colored lighting makes for a fun ambience. Open M-Th 6pm-2:30am, F-Sa 6pm-3am. MC/V.
Underground by Axel, C. Aribau, 33 (☎933 23 93 93). Universitat. Walk up C. Aribau. Located in the “heterofriendly” (read: gay) Axel Hotel, this bar is all about steel, glass, and urbane animal magnetism. Happy hour M-F 8:30-11:30pm; 2-for-1 mixed drinks. Open daily 10:30am-2am. MC/V.
El Gato Negro, Consell de Cent, 268 (☎699 77 36 74). Universitat. Walk up C. Aribau and make a right onto Consell de Cent. Part of the Espit Chupitos franchise. Both are usually bustling, so head to one if the other is full. Open Tu-Su 8pm-2:30am. MC/V.
Momo’s Bar y Copas, Consell de Cent, 319 (☎934 87 33 14). Universitat. Walk up C. Aribau and make a right onto Consell de Cent. Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata classes; call ahead for the season’s schedule. Shots €2. Open daily 8pm-3am. MC/V.
Bar Snooker, C. Roger de Llúria, 42 (☎933 17 97 60; www.snookerbarcelona.com), between C. Gran Via and C. Diputació. Tetuán, L2, or Pg. de Gràcia, L2/3/4. This large lounge bar has red velvet chairs, neon-green and blue lit pool tables, and an impressive list of scotches. Singles night W 8pm. Mixed drinks €8. Open daily 6pm-3am. AmEx/MC/V.
Topxi, C. València, 358 (☎932 07 01 20), just off Pg. St. Joan. Verdaguer, L4/5. A small, unpretentious bar-club that just happens to put on some of the most flamboyant drag and strip shows in the city—in intimate quarters. The orientation of the crowd varies by night and by show; call ahead to find out which way the evening swings. Cover €8-10; includes 1 drink. Open M-Th and Su 12:10am-5am, Sa 12:10am-6am. Cash only.
Berlin, C. Muntaner, 240 (☎932 00 65 42). Diagonal, L3/5. A slice of streamlined German style in Barcelona. Corner bar with marble accents and huge, naked light bulbs attracts area hipsters and l’Eixample yuppies. Beer €2 during the day, €4 at night, Mixed drinks €9. Open M-F 10am-2am, Sa 11am-3am. MC/V.
Caligula, C. Consell de Cent, 257 (☎934 51 48 92). Pg. de Gràcia, L2/3/4. Bar designed in a pan-Asian style invokes a romantic atmosphere with draped fabrics, tea lights, music, Buddha statues, and massive floral arrangements. A crowd gathers around the bar and sidewalk tables. Transvestite spectacles after 10pm. Beer €4.20. Mixed drinks €6-9. Wheelchair-accessible. Open daily 8pm-3am. Cash only.
Aloha, C. Provença, 159 (☎934 51 79 62). Hospital Clìnic, L5. Barcelona’s Hawaiian paradise—complete with exotic caged birds, leis, and plenty of bamboo. 2 pool tables and a wide liquor selection. All sorts of people find their haven in Hawaii here. Cross the bridge by the waterfall to find the dark, intimate tiki huts perfect for private parties of 2 to 20; call ahead to reserve a table. Try the coco loco (coconut milk and rum; €6). Open M-Th and Su 6pm-2:30am and F-Sa 6pm-3am. Cash only.
Moon Cafe, C. Provença, 213 (☎934 88 17 21). Diagonal. Red lights line the windows of this welcoming corner bar and restaurant where a young crowd enjoys drinks and cross-cultural tapas (€3-7) late into the night. Open M-Th 7am-2am, F-Sa 7am-3am. AmEx/MC/V.

Clubs

Mojito Club, C. Rosselló, 217 (☎654 20 10 06; www.mojitobcn.com). Diagonal. Buenavista salsa dance studio (☎932 37 65 28) by day and Mojito Club by night, this venue lures a fun-loving crowd with early-evening lessons and late-night Latin beats. Brazilian party W with free samba lessons at 11:30pm and R&B all night. Cover €10; includes 1 drink. For those taking regular lessons, cover may be waived. Open daily 11pm-5am. MC/V.
La Fira, C. Provença, 171 (☎650 85 53 84). Hospital Clínic or FGC: Provença. A crowd swarms the circus-tent dance floor surrounded by carousel swings, carnival mirrors, and a fortune teller. The watchful sphinx perched atop the bar will make sure you don’t go overboard with the wide selection of shots. Variety of shows and parties, often with entrance fee or 1 drink minimum. Open Th-Sa 11:30pm-3am. Cash only.
Luz de Gas, C. Muntaner, 246 (☎932 09 77 11; www.luzdegas.com). Diagonal, L3/5. Chandeliers, gilded mirrors, and deep red walls set the mood in this swanky uptown music venue. Concerts include the occasional big-name jazz, blues, or soul performer like Branford Marsalis, Bonnie Raitt, or Monica Green; thousands of performances have taken place here. After 1am, the chairs are folded up and the luxurious club becomes a high-class disco playing pop music. If you’re looking to finish a conversation or talk about the show, head upstairs to the quieter glassed-in balcony. Beer €6. Mixed drinks €10. Cover €18; check the Guía del Ocio for specific show listings and times. Wheelchair-accessible. Open daily 11:30pm-5am. MC/V.
La Madame, Ronda de St. Pere, 23, between C. Bruc and Pl. Urquinaona. Urquinaona. A mixed gay-straight crowd fills the 2 huge dance floors of this popular club. Pounding house music by the Maintee Group’s locally esteemed DJs. Beer €5. Mixed drinks €8. Wheelchair-accessible. Cover €15-20; includes 1 drink. Open F-Su midnight-6am. MC/V.
Zac Club, Av. Diagonal, 477 (☎933 21 09 22; www.zac-club.com). Hospital Clìnic, L5. Big names, such as Lenny Kravitz and the Cindy Blackman Group, sometimes come to perform in this intimate disco setting. Live jazz, funk, and blues nightly midnight-2am. A smaller dance floor and plenty of bar room makes this a great place for people that shun the gyrating masses of larger venues. Drinks €4.20-7.20. Cover €10-15; includes 1 drink. Open Th-Sa 12:30am-dawn.
Aire, C. València, 236. (☎934 54 63 94; www.arenadisco.com) Pg. de Gràcia, L2/3/4. One of Barcelona’s biggest and most popular lesbian clubs. Throngs of women crowd the multicolored dance floor, grooving to pop, house, and 80s classics. Women-only strip show from 6-10pm 1st Su of every month. Cover €5-10; includes 1 drink. Open Th-Su 11:30pm-3am. Check out the Arena family’s other gay discos, some of the most popular in the area: Arena Classic at C. Diputació, 233 plays 80s tunes; Arena Dandy at Gran Via, 593 pumps techno beats. The popular Arena Madre at C. Balmes, 32 is mostly for men, as is the more relaxed Punto BCN bar at C. Muntaner, 63. MC/V.
Roxy Blue, Consell de Cent, 294 (www.roxyblue.es). Universitat. Walk up C. Aribau and make a right on Consell de Cent. Ubiquitous blue sparkling lights and 3 dance rooms make the new Roxy Blue Society Club a safe bet for a night of glamour. Music varies by night (check the web page) and includes R&B, soul, hip hop, minimal, electronica, and techno. Cover €12-18. Open W-Th midnight-5am, F-Sa midnight-6am. MC/V.
Antilla, C. Aragó, 141 ( ☎934 51 45 64; www.antillasalsa.com). Urgell. Walk up C. Comte de Urgell and make a left on C. Aragó. Wild neon lighting and a large, open dance floor make this salsa school and dance club a local favorite. Cover €10; includes 1 drink. Lessons for dancers of all levels Tu-Sa 5-11pm. Club open Tu-W 11pm-4am, Th 11pm-5am, F-Sa 11pm-6am. MC/V.
La Suite, C. Villarroel, 216 (☎658 31 45 03). Elegant and exclusive (Playboy has been known to throw its official parties here), La Suite plays R&B, hip hop, and rap in black-and-gold rooms. Cover €18. You may be able to get in for free before 2:30am if you visit their Facebook page (search “Suite Club Barcelona”) and sign up. Open Th-Sa midnight-6am. MC/V.
Salvation, Ronda de St. Pere, 19-21, between C. Bruc and Pl. Urquinaona. Urquinaona. The place to come if you’ve sinned…and want to keep on sinning. A popular gay club with 2 huge dance floors and pounding house music. Beer €5. Mixed drinks €8. Wheelchair-accessible. Cover €11; includes 1 drink. Open F-Su midnight-6am.
Illusion, C. Lepanto, 408 (☎932 47 36 00), right below Alfons X, L4. A favorite destination for students and local kids in their 20s, this club is more happening in winter than in summer. 2 dance rooms: house music in the main and salsa in the smaller. Go-go shows tease the audience every 15min. or so, starting around 3am. Beer €4. Mixed drinks €6. Hosts a gay session (“T Dance”) Su 7pm-midnight. 18+. Cover Su €8, F €7, Sa €9. Open F midnight-5am, Sa 6-10pm (16+) and 12:30-5:30am. Closed Aug. Cash only.
Arena Madre, C. Balmes, 32 (☎934 87 83 42; www.arenadisco.com). Pg. de Gràcia, L2/3/4. One of Barcelona’s most popular gay clubs. Young men populate the bulk of the dance floor (as well as several cages) moving to pop and house music under intense strobe lights. Striptease M. Cover Su-F €6, Sa €12; includes 1 drink. Open daily 12:30pm-5:30am. Check out one of the other equally popular Arena-affiliated clubs: Arena (Sala Classic) at C. Diputació, 233 plays handbag music; Arena (Sala Dandy) at Gran Via, 593 plays pop hits from decades past. Go to Aire at C. Valencia, 236 for a mostly lesbian crowd. Cash only.
Sol, C. Villarroel, 216 (☎932 37 86 58). Hospital Clìnic, L5, or Diagonal, L3/5. Barcelona’s beautiful, uptown crowd hits the wooden, elegantly lit dance floor or mingles upstairs on the couches. Downstairs disco plays pop and house; upstairs is smaller, more laid-back, and plays less intense disco. Mixed drinks €5-7.50. Cover €10; includes 1 drink. Open Th-Sa midnight-5:30am.
Divine, Balmes, 24 (☎933 17 22 48; www.dDivine.com). Universitat. Divine entertains dinner guests with a night-long drag show including song, dance, and hilarious attempts to translate her jokes for English-speaking audience members. Between acts be sure to compliment Divine on her make-up. Entrees €16-24. Restaurant open M-F 12-4pm, W-Sa 10pm-2am. Drag show W-Sa 9:30pm. MC/V.
Hyde Club, Pg. Domingo, 3 (☎654 20 10 06; www.hydebcn.com). Pg. de Gràcia. Go west on C. de València and right on the narrow Pg. de Domingo. Mingle with the elite, well-dressed crowd in the midst of a swanky gold interior at this upscale club. See if you can work up the nerve to go out onto the dance floor without spending too much money on €10 drinks. Wheelchair-accessible. No jeans or sneakers. Lounge open M-Th and Su midnight-3am. Club open Th-Sa midnight-6am. MC/V.