Barcelona NightLife

Barcelona NightLife information

Music

Classical For classical music, the grandest venue is definitely the Palau de la Musica Catalana (Calle Sant Francesc de Paula 2. Tel: +34 90-244-2882 for details / bookings). When there isn't a performance you can go on a daytime tour of the concert hall's interior. The Gran Teatre del Liceu (La Rambla 51-59. Tel: +34 93-485-9900) is at the heart of both Las Ramblas and the Barcelona arts scene. The grand old theatre has been fully refurbished and is now the home of a full programme of opera and ballet. You can tour the theatre during the day at 10h00. Admission: EUR5.50. Modern Barcelona is on the circuit for a lot of major international rock and pop stars. If you're lucky you might be able to catch a big name act. Most major bands play in either the Olympic Stadium or the indoor Palau St Jordi in the Olympic Quarter. You can even buy tickets with your credit card at cash machines. Jazz There are jazz festivals in June and October but only a handful of venues offer live jazz at other times. Luz de Gas (Calle Muntaner 246. Tel: +34 93-209-7711) is the best late-night venue and offers free admission.

Theatre

The Catalan performing arts scene is alive, well, and always a bit weird. As well as the talented street entertainers along Las Ramblas there are a number of theatre companies who perform at festivals or unusual venues - check listings for the latest information. Be aware that most performances are in Catalan so unless you speak the language you might have trouble keeping up. Teatre Romea Calle Hospital 51 Tel: +34 93-301-5504 Known snappily as the Centre Dramatic de la Generalitat de Catalunya this company is at the heart of the Catalan theatre scene. It actually offers some English speaking performances with simultaneous translation into Catalan. Teatre Borràs Plaça Urquinaona Tel: +34 93-412-1582 A small theatre located in one of Barcelona's city centre squares. Offers a selection of modern theatre as well as some alternative performances.

Nightclubs

Barcelona is renowned for its nightlife. Even the smallest bars all over the city stay open well into the night. If you are seeking some tunes as well as drinks, the areas around Port Vell and Port Olympic pound to the music from dozens of bars and clubs until the early hours. The Barrio Gotic has lots of smaller, trendy bars but the music is just as upbeat. The nearby Plaça Reial is probably the busiest area for clubs with several popular venues in the vicinity. Browse around, check the listings, or visit our personal favourites below. Those after gay/lesbian bars and clubs will find that on the whole nightlife is less segregated than in many other cities of the world. That said, there are more and more gay clubs springing up around Barcelona, a couple of which are mentioned below. For more information on what's on, pick up a copy of InfoGai or Nois magazines. The one rule that applies to practically any club in Barcelona is that things don't get going until around 01h00 in the morning - sometimes later - so make sure you don't burn out too early, or you'll miss the best of the city's nightlife. Dot Light Club Calle Nou de Sant Francesc 7 Tel: +34 93-302-7026 Great small venue in the Plaça Reial, effortlessly funky. Just check out the dancefloor and cool grooves that are playing and you'll see what we mean. Karma Plaça Reial 10 Tel: +34 93-302-5680 Legendary nightclub on the Plaça Reial. Permanently packed out with young revellers and tourists up for a good time. Stamina is required to make it to the 05h00 close. Otto Zutz Calle Lincoln 15 Tel: +34 93-238-07-22 Renowned DJs offering a mixture of House, Garage and Acid Jazz sounds. This popular venue has something for everyone. Open until 05h00. Nick Havanna Calle Rosselló 208 Tel: +34 93-215-6591 Post-modern decor in a cavernous interior, Havanna is full and funky at weekends. Open 20h00-04h00. Metro Calle Sepúlveda 185 Tel: +34 93-323-5227 Something of an institution on Barcelona's gay scene, Metro club packs them in every night, its two rooms hosting DJs playing mainly house and dance music. Weekly themed events range from cabaret to bingo to big party nights. Salvation Ronda Sant Pere 19-21 Tel: +34 93-318-0686 Another popular gay club, with two rooms of dancing and revelry, one playing mainly house music; the other, more commercial tunes. Open Sat/Sun only.

Cinema

If you want to watch a movie in Barcelona look for the letters VO, which indicate the film has subtitles rather than a dubbed soundtrack. Cines Icaria-Yelmo (Calle Salvador Esprui 61, +34 93-221-7585) has 15 screens, late night showings and a good selection of sub-titled movies.

Football

FC Barcelona is a Catalan institution and the team is fervently supported in the city, as well as worldwide. But, if you want to see a game you'll have to work for your ticket. Even though the Nou Camp stadium holds over 100,000 people it is always sold out. With a little diligence, tickets can be obtained however. A week before each game a small allocation goes on sale at the ground, but you'll have to get there early and queue as demand is always high. If unsuccessful here, the other option is to hang around the ground before the match and get one from an unlicensed tout at an inflated price - an illegal but not uncommon method of obtaining a ticket. Certainly if you have the chance of a ticket for a match don't forego the opportunity to sample the unique atmosphere of the Nou Camp as over 100,000 supporters roar on their superstars, an unforgettable experience whether you like football or not. Camp Nou, Avda Arístides Maillol. Tel: +34 93-496-3600. Metro: Collblanc Ticket office: 09h30-13h30 and 16h30-19h00 Mon-Fri. It is easier to get tickets for Espanyol, Barca's poor neighbours. Visit them at Estadi Olympic, Paseo Olímpico 17-19, Montjuic. Tel: +34 93-292-7700. Tickets are available from the ground before kick-off. A special (free) bus runs from Plaça Espanya to the stadium before each match.

Special Events

Spain is the land of fiestas and folklore, a nation that really knows how to enjoy itself and celebrate. Throughout the year there are many festivals, exhibitions, concerts and many different events to suit everybody. January The New Year begins in Barcelona in high spirits as people take to the streets and bars to celebrate. March In the first week of March each year is the Fiesta de San Medir. One of the focal points of the celebrations is the calvacade. Many people gather on the streets of the artistic Gracia district in a glorious and colourful parade of decorated carriages, horses, flags, costumes and beaming smiles. The parade originated in the 16th century as a pilgrimage in honour of Gracia's patron saint, Santo Emeterio, or Sant Medir, as he is known in Catalan. The festivities have now lost much of their religious feel and today the parade is more of a civic occasion. April The festival of Sant Jordi (St George) Barcelona's patron on April 23rd should not be missed. The celebration is the Catalan version of Valentine's day and men present their loved ones with red roses. Women respond with gifts of books - a fitting gesture as the Spanish writer of Don Quixote, Cervantes, died in Madrid on this day in 1616 (incidentally the exact same date of Shakespeare's death in England). June Corpus Christi is celebrated with traditional processions, the wearing of beautiful masks, and the "I'ou com balla" (the festival of the dancing egg) around the cathedral in Barcelona. Towards the end of the month is the festival of the Grec with open-air concerts and dance performances, many of which take place in the Greek Theatre of Montjuic. September Towards the end of September the Fiesta de la Merce takes place offering yet more street processions, performances of "sadanas", the national dance of Catalunya, and important sports events.