Fuengirola
This is one of a clutch of similar traditional, slightly showy Spanish bars with sprawling terraces behind the main post office. The wines are good, and…
Must-see nightlife in Spain
Ibiza Town
Having returned with a bang in 2016, this gay-Ibiza legend is now the island's only exclusively gay party-all-night dance club. Pack into the small…
Western Mallorca
One of the original bars in the marina, dating from the '70s, Tim's can stay open as late as 4am at the height of summer. It's a fine spot to sink a beer…
Palma de Mallorca
This minimalist, glass-fronted bar's splendid situation, jutting out into the Badia de Palma, makes it feel as though you've weighed anchor. The squawking…
San Sebastián
Escape the beachfront hordes at this gem of a cafe. Housed in a river-facing residential block, it's popular with locals of all ages, who flock to the…
El Raval
This enticing corner bar near the MACBA is one of several standout stops along the student-jammed run of Carrer de Joaquín Costa. It puts together some…
North Coast Tenerife
The 19th-century Liceo de Taoro has a magnificent setting high above the square. It's now a private club, where you can still order a drink from the bar…
Madrid
Inhabiting an old dairy and tucked away in a little-visited corner of Chamberí like some hidden Madrid treasure, La Vaquería Montañesa does terrific food,…
Granada
Murals by local street artist El Niño de las Pinturas adorn the walls and shutters at this lively, well-established neighbourhood bar in the lower Realejo…
Valencia
Offers high baroque, tapestries, music of all genres, candelabras, bouquets of fresh flowers and a long list of exotic cocktails. It does themed Sunday…
West Ibiza
Long-running Es Paradis is one of the prettiest of Ibiza's macro-clubs, with loads of marble, greenery and a glass-pyramid roof that defines the San An…
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
This place has genuine character, with shelf upon shelf of liquor, an old black-and-white chequered floor, cabinets stuffed with books and more, a ceiling…
Almería
Almería's cathedral provides the atmospheric backdrop to leisurely drinks at the slick in-house bar of the Hotel Catedral. Sit out on the plaza or head…
Ibiza Town
One of the most popular bars on Ibiza Town's LGBT-oriented 'Street of the Virgin', Sunrise has a gorgeous interior with a disco ball and swings dangling…
Granada
Strewn with old posters and framed photos of musical heroes, from Debbie Harry to Jim Morrison, this laid-back bar is the creation of Spanish drummer Eric…
Málaga
One in a line of bars and cafes embellishing Picasso’s home square, this one is probably the most bohemian and Picasso-esque. Piled with books, mismatched…
El Raval
Good things come in small packages, as this dark, teeny cocktail bar shows. The bold black decor lures in a largely student set for personalised cocktails…
El Raval
Once a haunt of visiting US Navy boys, this exercise in Americana kitsch is the perfect way to finish an evening – if you can squeeze in. All sorts of odd…
Barcelona
Cold brews, flat whites and even your classic cafè amb llet (€1.50 to €4) are artfully crafted with beans from inland Costa Rica at laid-back Onna. Inside…
Palma de Mallorca
This glamour puss of a club brings a splash of Ibiza to Palma's late-night scene. Set away from the town centre, down by the port, it's a three-floor…
Barcelona
With weekend parties, rotating art exhibits, vintage decor and jazzy geometric-print walls, La Federica has become a favourite of the local LGBTQI+ scene…
Tabanco El Guitarrón de San Pedro
Jerez de la Frontera
Revitalised by sherry-loving owners (who offer pairings and tastings), El Guitarrón hosts regular flamenco dancing (Thursday) and singing (Friday and…
Palma de Mallorca
With over 60 varieties by the glass (from €4), this convivial little cubby hole gives you every opportunity to get to grips with the wines of Mallorca …
The Catalan Pyrenees
This neon-lit, stone-walled cocktail bar makes an enjoyably edgy contrast to La Seu d'Urgell's medieval centre. The wonderful liquid mixes (€5 to €8) will…
Barcelona
Even the music hasn’t changed since this place got going in 1980. Those longing for rock ‘n’ roll crowd into this animated bar, listen to old hits and…
Chueca
Modelled on the famous New York club Studio 54, this nightclub draws a predominantly gay crowd, but its target market is more upmarket than many in the…
Mallorca
This hipper-than-thou waterside chill-out space has a long list of cocktails, wicker sofas, hammocks, cabana chairs and the inevitable DJ soundtrack…
Granada
With bottles stacked to the rafters, hanging strings of garlic and a small wood-and-brick interior, friendly La Tana is one of Granada's greatest wine…
Playa Blanca
The stylish seafront chill-out terrace gazing across the waves to the Montaña Roja is the draw at this popular Marina Rubicón address – perfect for…
Sitges
Follow the sounds of sultry R & B and hypnotic house towards this cocktail-fuelled club, just back from Aiguadolç marina (a 20-minute walk east from…
Formentera
A sun-bleached little beach shack that's something of a low-key Formentera legend, Piratabus is perfect for sipping a mojito (€10) and demolishing a few…
Almería
Craft beer goes hand-in-hand with jam sessions and live music at this laid-back pub. The subdued lighting and walls plastered with posters and concert…
Andalucía
Hidden away in the old town's backstreets, La Beltraneja combines an interior of exposed stone, flowery wallpaper and pop-art murals with an ample open…
San Sebastián
Appropriately named, this atmospheric bar is full of bottles of Scotland’s finest (3400 bottles to be exact, though only 200 varieties are served) as well…
Cuenca
Near the cathedral, this Vespa-loving tapas bar and drinking den has a strong local following for its welcoming vibe, not to mention the tasty sharing…
Granada
Duck into the dimly lit interior, adorned with tiling, cushioned benches and Moorish latticework arches, to puff on a cachimba and drink herbal tea (€2.50…
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
With a lovely perspective directly on to Plaza de Cairasco, this cafe – part of the hotel of the same name – ensconces you in a superb ambience right in…
Jerez de la Frontera
Recline with a fruity, aromatic brew (chilled versions available) in the cavernous depths of this atmospherically dark tea room, decked out with breezy…
Las Alpujarras
A bright and breezy cafe on the main drag through town, Denebola is a top spot for a Spanish breakfast – perhaps café con leche (coffee with milk) and a…
Cádiz
A bookish cafe-bar encased in what appears to be the rusty hulk of an old ship overlooking Playa de la Caleta, with coffee, pastries, tapas, wine, art…
