Have a holiday you won’t forget by enjoying the nightlife in Valencia. Whether you’re looking to go on a pub crawl or to see some of the top clubs, the Valencia nightlife offers something for everyone.
Does Valencia have a good nightlife?
Even though Valencia doesn’t have the largest party scenes, there is still a good nightlife in Valencia. There are options for just about anything you’re looking for:
- Cheap bars for college students
- Nightclubs for any age group
- LGBT bars and clubs
- Outdoor clubs
- Pubs and more relaxed bars
If you’re looking for nightlife, Valencia has an option for you. So in the article, we’ll be going through everything you need to know – plus some top suggestions and recommendations.
Whether you’re just visiting for the weekend or you’re living in Valencia, this is your key to a good time.
Best areas in Valencia for nightlife
The different neighborhoods in Valencia have nightlife offerings that appeal to different groups of people. For example – Plaça d’Hondures is a classic area for university students – but it doesn’t necessarily offer anything great for millennial tourists.
So let’s go through some of the different nightlife areas in Valencia so you can decide which one is right for you.
Russafa
Russafa is one of the best areas for nightlife in Valencia because they have a bit of everything. There are laid-back wine bars, LGBT clubs, live music bars, mixed-group clubs, etc. This neighborhood is usually at the top of most people’s list because it’s always a safe bet.
If you just want to grab some tapes and a drink – then this is the spot. But if dinner turns into going to the club, then you’re already in the right area.
The only thing that Russafa is really missing would be something for rock fans. If you want that – then you’ll want to go to El Carme.
Note: There also aren’t any outdoor clubs in Russafa. Enjoy your nightlife in Valencia, but also please remember that this is a residential neighborhood.
Carme
In the heart of La Ciutat Vella, El Carme is an easy choice for travelers. Since it’s in the city center, you won’t have to worry about public transport or going very far.
El Carme offers plenty of eclectic bars, some pubs, and even places for live music (like Peter Rock or Radio City).
El Carme has fewer dance clubs, but there are still a couple. Most of the clubs in this area are more suited for people in their 40s or for younger tourists.
Personally, I’ll go out to El Carme for cocktails or beers – but I usually go to Russafa for anything past that.
La Marina
La Marina and El Cabanyal have a great nightlife for people who love a beach vibe. La Marina has a restaurant that turns into an outdoor club on the weekends, so this is a great spot during the warmer months of the year.
You also have famous bars like La Fábrica del Hielo that offers a cultural space with industrial themed bars and restaurants.
Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències
La Ciutat de Les Arts i les Ciències has two very famous clubs that are big hits with tourists and some university students. The giant Umbracle lights up and you have an outdoor cocktail bar with a nightclub underneath.
I find this to be a great spot to try out if you want something truly unique.
For me – I don’t usually want to pay the cover charge for a bar that is pretty far away from my apartment. So it’s not my personal preference.
But there are many people who love it, especially the colorful atmosphere and the interesting cocktails. So if you’re only here for a weekend and want to try something different – this is a great option!
Plaça d’Hondures
This is the classic “botelló” area for university students. You’ll see tons of very cheap bars, people drinking in the streets, clubs, and even bars known for their €1 shots.
If you’re planning on studying abroad in Valencia, nightlife in this area will be an important part of the experience!
I don’t recommend less young tourists to hang out near here, as you’ll probably feel a bit uncomfortable. But if you live in the neighborhood, or you’re a visiting college student – then definitely make your way over here on a Friday night.
Gran Via
Gran Via towards Cánovas is home to elegant bars, pubs, and more sophisticated spots in general. This is a great area if you’re looking for a cocktail. Typically, you’ll see a lot of people in their 40s and 50s heading to this area.
So if you’re looking to put on a nice outfit and grab some drinks after dinner, then this is a great area to try out!
Best Bars and Pubs
The nightlife in Valencia offers a ton of variety, so there really is something for everyone. When it comes to bars and pubs, you have plenty of options.
I’ll list out a few notable choices, but feel free to read my full guide on the best bars in Valencia if you need more options.
Delorean Lounge
Best for: Drinks in Russafa
Delorean Lounge is well-known bar right on the outskirts of Russafa. It’s easy to get to, has great cocktails, and is fairly large. So if you want to go grab some drinks with your friends, this is a great option.
You’ll have an energetic atmosphere and be in the perfect location to continue bar-hopping through Russafa when you finish!
La Negrita
Best for: Drinks in El Carme
La Negrita is a popular spot known in El Carme. This relatively small bar is known for its quaint plaça and lively scene.
Here, you’ll get reasonably priced drinks. To be honest, there is nothing super special about their menu, but the location is perfect and the prices are fair. Which means if you don’t have an especially refined palate, this is a great option.
So if you want some relatively chill nightlife in Valencia, then La Negrita is a great choice.
Radio City
Best for: Live Music
Radio City is another famous bar that offers live music. You’ll often have jazz nights here, which makes it a perfect choice for people who want a fun, chic night.
They have a rotating set list and are constantly getting new musicians coming in – so make sure to check them out and see if it’s the right choice for you.
La Fábrica del Hielo
Best For: Laid-back food and drinks
La Fábrica del Hielo is a really interesting bar in El Cabanyal. You have restaurants and bars in a large industrial warehouse. This is perfect for anyone looking for a different way to spend the evening.
Plus they often host cultural events and have games, so it can be a fun place to get some drinks.
Other Bars and Pubs
If you want to explore all of the Valencia nightlife, make sure to check out these other resources:
Best Clubs
Want to go beyond just grabbing a few drinks at a table? Let’s look at some of the best nightclubs in Valencia. Nightlife options for clubs are almost endless – but let’s look at some of the most popular ones.
Mya & L’Umbracle
Best for: Nightlife for tourists
Mya & L’Umbracle are two clubs at the City of Arts and Sciences. Named after the giant hanging gardens (called L’Umbracle), there is an open-air, closed-off bar that offers great cocktails and live music.
This is perfect for people that want to put on their best dress and enjoy their time under the colorful lights of this emblematic area.
Then underneath L’Umbracle is Mya – a nightclub where you can continue dancing as much as you want. It’s one of the most famous nightclubs and an essential part of the Valencia nightlife.
Definitely a great option for tourists!
Deseo 54
Best for: LGBT clubbing
Deseo 54 is one of the most famous LGBT clubs in Valencia. Each night they offer different styles of music and is a fun, welcoming space for LGBT travelers.
The cover fee is also fairly affordable, only around €12 and it includes your first drink. But I recommend buying your tickets in advance – otherwise, they’re more expensive at the door!
Picadilly
Best for: A unique experience
Picadilly is one of my favorite clubs in Russafa. It is a “silent” nightclub where you’ll be handed headphones when you get in. You’ll have different stations, so you can choose the type of music you want to listen to. Plus, your headphones will light up a different color based on the music – so you can see who else is listening to your favorite genre!
If you’re picky about music or just want to try something different – this is great way to enjoy the Valencia nightlife.
Oven
Best for: Electro and Techno music
If you’re a fan of electronic music – then this is the club for you. Oven is a famous Valencia club known for its techno music.
To be completely honest – I haven’t gone here because techno music is just… not my thing. But I do have friends who tell me that it’s super fun and always has a lively crowd.
So if that sounds more like something you’d like – then make sure to try it out.
Rumbo 144
Best For: College Students
Rumbo 144 is probably the most famous club for university students. It’s near the university campus and pretty exclusively has a younger crowd.
If you’re hanging out by the Plaça d’Hondures and you want to go out clubbing afterwards, then this is a solid option for you.
But like I said – this is very explicitly for people around 20 years old.
Sadly, I already had too many forehead wrinkles laugh lines by the time I moved to Valencia, so I’ve never been in here myself.
Marina Beach Club
Best For: Beach Partying
Marina Beach Club is another one of the most famous options for nightlife in the Valencia clubbing scene.
It doubles as a restaurant – so if you just want a few tapes and cocktails, you can also go here. But after midnight, it turns into one of the most well-known clubs in the city. With visits from famous DJs, this is a great spot if you’re looking for a beach holiday.
The only downside is that you’ll definitely need to grab a taxi afterwards since you’re fairly far away from the city center. But if that doesn’t bother you – then head down to the beach for an exciting night!
Things To Know About Valencia Nightlife
If you’re coming from a different country – then you might be pretty surprised about the nightlife in Valencia.
Especially if you’re like me and you’re from the Southeastern US… well, parties in Valencia are a lot more intense (in a good way).
So let’s talk about a few things you should know about the Valencia nightlife:
People don’t go to clubs until around 1 AM
Unlike my hometown where clubs CLOSE at 2 AM, here people don’t even start to go out until past midnight.
In fact, many places won’t even open until around 1 AM. So make sure you adopt that becaeta (nap) culture, have an evening coffee, and have the energy to stay out until 7 AM.
If you’re planning on clubbing, at least. If that sounds like it’s past your bedtime, then you can always go for the tardeo option. This would just be evening drinks that turn into dinner.
Lots of variety
While Valencia might not have a night scene as big as Barcelona, there are still plenty of options for you.
Whether you want to dress up for a glass of wine or you want to spend all night dancing at a beach club – the options are almost endless. So don’t be afraid to go looking for your preference for nightlife.
And as always, feel free to send me a message if you have some questions!
The rave culture has calmed down
La Ruta del Bacalao was a notorious series of clubs in the 80s right outside the city. With an emphasis on rock and electronic music, there were often enormous raves that would attract crowds from all around the world.
However, these have calmed down considerably in recent years. Frankly – they were fairly dangerous due to the amount of drunk drivers and hard substances that were floating around.
But for context – this was in the 80s, and Spain had just become a democracy. So it was a unique time culturally.
So even though these raves practically don’t exist anymore, it has left a huge impact on society, and you’ll often hear Valencians talk about it!
Prices can vary a lot
Head to a college bar and you can get a shot for €1 or a bucket of beers for €3. Go to a rooftop bar and you’ll be paying up to €20 for a cocktail.
Just be prepared that you’ll find a little bit of everything in terms of prices. On average – a local beer should be around €3 and a mixed drink around €8–10. But this changes a lot based on the type of establishment you’re going to.
So pay attention to your travel budget while you’re choosing your Valencia nightlife options!
Valencia Travel Resources
I hope this guide helps you enjoy the best of your Valencia nightlife. There’s a little bit of everything, and everyone has different preferences. That’s why this guide just touches the surface to help give you a good idea of where to start.
Eventually, I’ll create separate guides for each kind of nightlife. So if you have any preferences – just send me a message!
In the meantime, check out these other resources:
- Best bars in Valencia
- Rooftop bars
- Useful Valencian Phrases
- Best restaurants in the city
- Typical food
- Is Valencia safe?
- Tipping in Valencia
Need help planning your trip to Valencia?
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- 🏠Booking – Affordable hotels and apartments
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- 💱Wise – Easiest low-fee way to transfer currency
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