Barcelona - Nightlife

Sip Rioja among the wine casks in the Barrí Gótic's bodegas and Cava in the chiringuitos beside the sea.

The Ciutat Vella offers a host of after-dark experiences, from atmospheric bodegas (wine cellars) in the Barrí Gótic, to glam cocktail bars in La Ribera. The epicentre of the action is the Plaça Real, where lively bars and clubs vie for attention.

Fashionistas and boho urbanites hit the hip bars and clubs in arty El Born. Here hole-in-the-wall bars ooze understated chic and music moves from techno to tango.

Warm summer nights call for cooling cocktails on Gràcia's squares. Relax with a mojito and soak up the mellow vibe on the terraces of the Plaza del Sol and Plaça de la Virreina, perfect people-watching territory.

The waterfront at Villa Olympica is a Mecca to summertime partygoers. Mingle with fashionable locals at trendy lounge bars, smart restaurants and casinos or party out on the sand at lively chiringuitos (beach bars). For late-night clubbing, make for Maremagnum.

Locals don't even consider going out until midnight. Most central bars stay open until 3am, while the big clubs don't close until 6am – just in time for breakfast.

Saunter down bustling La Rambla to Mano Negra's fast-paced Latin-punk Indios de Barcelona. Climb up the La Sagrada Família as you listen to Savath & Savalas' Apropa't, Scott Herren's Barcelona-inspired project. Explore the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc as you listen to Montserrat Caballé and Freddie Mercury's Barcelona, sung at the 1992 Olympics.