Barcelona Gay and Lesbian guide
Just like every port side city Barcelona has always been point of access to all kinds of trends, and in terms of the “scene”, it is by no means lagging behind. Thus, although its not quite at the level of Chueca in Madrid, Barcelona still has an increasingly attractive and appealing gay scene, in line with the predominantly gay scene that reigns in Sitges. Whatever the case, here is a mini-guide of the best in the Barcelona gay movement, divided between gays and lesbians and focusing of Gaixample the heart of the gay movement in the city of Barcelona, including Diputació, Villaroel, Aragó, and Balmes streets.
Bars and clubs for gays
Museum Retro. Originally intended for lesbians, this club has been taken over by a more masculine crowd that enjoys and prefers a more classic environment with sixties and eighties music, but with the modernness of its big brother in Sepúlvada. Where:196, Urgell. When: Friday and Saturday from 10.30 pm to 3am.
Dacksy. One of the very few places in Gaixample where you can enjoy a delicious and fancy cocktail in a pleasant and spacious interior. Great for starting off the evening. Where:247, Consell de Cent. When: Monday to Sunday from 5pm until 3am.
Ätame. Predominantly young crowd here who fancy a boogey on the dance floor situated at the back of the club. Where:257, Consell de Cent. When: Monday to Sunday from 6pm until 3am.
El Cangrejo. One of the classics in Barcelona, with drag performances, quick-change artists and where you can dance to the most banging music on the national scene, with 80s and classic themes. A good atmosphere guaranteed. Where:9, Calle Montserrat. When: 11pm to 3am.
Museum Bar. Rococo décor in the city's trendiest bar with the most catchy, mainstream tunes. Where: 86, Calle Villaroel.When: Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 10pm to 2.30am, and Friday and Saturday from 10.30pm until 3am.
Lust. A modern bar with good cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere that has a spacious dance floor if you fancy a boogey. Where:75, Calle Casanova. When: Tuesday to Sunday from 9pm to 3am.
Dietrich: A classic in Barcelona where a young and chilled-out atmosphere reigns with a rather wild touch, and an international and drag point to it. Where:255, Calle Consell de Cent. When: Monday to Thursday from 10.30pm to 2.30am, and Friday and Saturday from 10.30pm to 3am
El Cangrejo. Young atmosphere in the style of the Cangrejo bar in Raval with a free transgressor spirit and some hardcore music. Where: 86, Calle Villaroel. When: Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30pm to 3am and 10.30pm to 3am.
Zeitas Club. One of the trendiest bars in Barcelona Gaixample, and gathering play for a cool and good-looking crowd that dance like crazy to the best funky beats. Where: 75, Calle Casanova. When: Everyday from 11pm to 3am.
La Bata de Baotiné. One of the most decadent and important bars in Barcelona located in the heart of the equally as decadent Raval, although with hints of bourgeoisie. Cheap drinks meaning it gets very full at the weekends. Where: 23, Calle Robadors. When: Wednesday to Saturday from 10pm to 3am, and Sundays from 10pm to 2.30am.
La Penúltima. A very kitsch bar situated in Raval where you can enjoy an alternative ambience before moving on to Gaixample. Where:40, Calle Riera Alta. When: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday from 7pm until 2am, Thursday until 2.30am, and Friday and Saturday from 7pm to 3am.
Clubs for gays
Arena. One of the larger clubs in Barcelona with four areas attracting a very heterogeneous crowd. House music fills the Madre room, containing a dark room. On the other hand all kinds of people mingle and dance to the most popular gay tunes in the VIP room. In the Classic room they play tunes that are a bit slower but as equally as catchy, whilst they bang out more classic tunes from the 70s to the present in the Dandy room. Where:233, Calle Diputación. When: Classic & Madre from 12.30am to 5.30am. VIP & Dandy room from 12.30am to 6am. Entrance price: Monday to Thursday 6 euro (with a drink included), and Friday and Saturday 12 euro (with a drink included).
Metro: With two dance floors banging out latin and house beats respectively, as well as a dark room, this well-known club is jam packed full at the weekend. Where:185, Calle Sepulveda. When: Monday from 1am to 5am, Tuesday to Sunday from 12am to 6am. Entrance Price: 15 euro with a drink.
D-Boy. One of the most ambitious clubs in Barcelona with all kinds of scenes and people allured by the music. Constant change in styles and rooms. Where:19-21, Ronda Sant Pere. When: Saturday from 12am to 6am.
Souvenir. If you are one of those people that start the night when everyone else is retiring for the evening, or you're a hardcore party-animal and you're out on the town all weekend then this is the club for you. It has one of the best atmospheres and European electronic music, so don't forget your shades if you decide to pass by this legendary club in Barcelona. Where: 75, Noi del Sucre. When: Saturday to Sunday from 6:30am to 3.30pm. There are buses running from D-Boy at 5.30am and leaving every 20 minutes, as well as from Plaza de Espanya to take party-animals directly to Souvenir.
Bars and clubs for lesbians
Aire. With pop, house, and classic tunes from the 80s, the two rooms in this club belonging to the Arena group fill up every weekend with a very heterogeneous crowd who want to dance and have a good time. Where:236, Calle de Valencia. When: Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 11pm to 3am. Entrance price: 5 euro on Friday and 6 euro on Saturday with a drink included.
Can Fly. Situated in the heart of the Gothic district, this pleasant bar has a pretty terrace for summer and an unusual interior to start off your night with a few drinks and tapas. Where:6, Baixada de Viladecols. When: Monday to Thursday from 5pm to 2am, and Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 3am.
Kiut. Club with good mainstream beach and house music to guarantee an evening of non-stop dancing in a chic environment with a touch of glamour, and with all kinds of people of all ages. Where:280, Consell de Cent. When: Saturday from 12am to 6am. Entrance price: 10 euro, and 8 euro with flyer.
Lesbian parties
Although the lesbian scene appears somewhat smaller and chaotic in Barcelona, other parties do exist which are organised and held in bars and clubs with music and diverse themes. Although it is difficult to hire venues, its not impossible. Thus, here are a few of the parties organised a couple of times a month but which you need to keep an eye on and keep checking their websites and facebook pages so you can find out the exact dates and locations.
Silk Barcelona. Parties with predominantly house and electronic music to the beat of the best DJs on the national scene, with performances from gogo dancers and more. The next party is taking place on the 6th of March in the Vetro Club. Take a quick look at their facebook so you know what's going on with them. Where: 27, Adria Margarit. When: Saturday the 6th of March from 11.30pm to 6am. Entrance price: 10 euro
My lovah Cindy. If you're not into the usual lesbian party scene and you prefer something a bit more indie and alternative, then you need to head down to My lovah Cindy. Check out their facebook for any updates, although we can happily announce that there is a party organised for next month with the best of the 90s and on the current indie scene.
Les Fatales. Self-appointed group of DJs and VJs related to electronic music, who organise parties in various locations of the city with the best on the current music scene. Their last party took place on the 6th of December in the KGB club, and all you have to do is look at their website to find out when they are holding the next one. In fact, their next one is in Valencia, with performances from DJ Anita Giro in the La3 Club.
Claudia - Marketing Team