Top 8 things to do at night in Barcelona

There is no shortage of things to do in Barcelona at night. Whether you're a fan of bars, pubs, concerts or other lively venues, a night out in Barcelona is the perfect way to get a feel for the atmosphere of a neighbourhood where it's good to go out.

Here is our selection of the best places to have a good time!

Best things to do at night

1. Get to know Spanish cuisine by visiting the more authentic tapas bars on La Rambla.

In Spain, people prefer to eat at night than in the rest of Europe. So don't expect to be able to eat out before 9pm or even 10pm.

Instead, to help you wait, we suggest you visit the many tapas bars in the evening that are scattered throughout Barcelona.

Almost all bars offer small plates of tasty Catalan food, such as braised chorizo, fried squid and spicy patatas bravas.

2. Go out for dinner while seeing Barcelona in lights.

After a few delicious tapas and a stroll through the bustling streets of Barcelona, book a table for dinner at Bar Mirablau. This is a popular modern restaurant located on the Tibidabo mountain.

It has a huge open-air terrace with one of the best views in the city. Choose your favourite dishes from the Mediterranean menu to feel like a local. Go dancing at the club or relax with a cocktail while watching the sun set (or rise) over the city.

The restaurant is open

• Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 3.30am and

• Friday to Saturday from 10am to 5am.

3. Enjoy a drink in Barcelona's oldest cocktail bar.

Strolling along La Rambla is an ideal way to discover the true character of Barcelona. But don't miss the oldest cocktail bar in the city, Boadas Cocteleria! Well, here you go back in time to enjoy the unique charm of the city of Barcelona.

Dress up for the occasion and get ready for a trip back to 1933.

You'll be equally moved by the waxed wood, sepia photographs and top-of-the-range cocktails brought to you by tuxedoed waiters.

Metro Subway: Catalunya

The bar is open

• Monday to Thursday from 12 noon to 2am and

• Friday to Saturday from 12pm to 3am.

4. Attend a classical music concert at the Palau de la Musica Catalana.

Get ready for a relaxing moment during your hectic holiday in a magnificent Art Nouveau concert hall. Created in 1905, this historic site designed by the modernist artist Lluís Domènech i Montaner is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Treat yourself to a concert at the Palau de la Música Catalana, a typical Art Nouveau building with colourful stained glass windows and Baroque vaults.

To find out all about this building, see our guide Discover the fascinating history of the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona.

Remember to buy skip-the-line tickets online, as the shows on offer range from baroque choral music to classical opera.

Metro Metro: Urquinaona

The Palau de la Musica Catalana is open for visits from

• Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 9 pm and

• Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm

5. Spend the evening in Barcelona admiring Gaudí's work

After a day spent wandering the streets discovering Parc Güell and the Sagrada Família by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, why not visit the Casa Milá-La Pedrera: the stone quarry.

Although the site is open all day, we put it in our top 8 night attractions. After all, it's at night that this little museum really shines.

Book a two-hour guided tour that includes a glass of cava (the famous sparkling wine produced in Catalonia). Spend some time admiring the stunning light effects that create a surprising atmosphere in the Passeig de Gràcia courtyard, or wander through Gaudi's iconic stone works on the rooftop terrace!

6. Make a wish at the Font Magica.

Opposite the Palau Nacional is the Font Magica de Montjuïc, also one of Barcelona's most popular attractions and a must-see for all tourists.

Built for the Barcelona International Exhibition held in 1929, every night the fountain is dressed in spellbinding lights for incredible sound and light shows.

If you come to Barcelona in April, you can enjoy these shows every 30 minutes between 9pm and 10pm or until 11pm from Thursday to Sunday night.

For more information, check out the colossal Font Màgica de Montjuïc: Barcelona's most colourful attraction.

7. Enjoy a delicious gin and tonic in the evening in Barcelona.

After a day spent exploring the city, there's nothing quite like relaxing in the evening with a chilled gin and tonic in a local bar in Barcelona.

And Rubí Bar, located on the trendy Carrer dels Banys Vells is the perfect place. In this small, intimate and eclectic bar, you can sample an impressive selection of high quality gins. You can also try recipes such as the strawberry-basil gin or the chilli gin among more than 50 different gin-based cocktails.

Metro Metro: Jaume I

The bar is open

• Monday to Thursday from 7.30pm to 2.30am and

• Friday to Saturday from 7.30 pm to 3 am

8. Treat yourself to a night at the opera for a more classical evening.

Barcelona's opera scene dates back to the mid-19th century, when the Gran Teatro del Liceu opened its doors.

The city's elegant opera house, with its sumptuous baroque and rococo lobby and incredible red and gold auditorium, is home to some of the biggest names in ballet, dance and classical opera.

Metro To the Liceu

We hope you enjoy this list of nightlife in Barcelona if you want to experience the beauty of the city in a different way. So, prepare your eclectic nights out in Barcelona now!

See also:

• What to do in Barcelona? Top 60 most popular activities.