Gay travelers in Barcelona will have no shortage of bars, cafes, and clubs to visit. There are plenty of nightlife hotspots and daytime venues where you can meet LGBTQ locals and travelers. Barcelona’s LGBTQ community is thriving and has a rich history. It was the first city in the Catalan region to protest for LGBTQ rights, and there are many activist groups continuing the campaign now. The main gay area is at the edge of the Old Town district, in the lively Eixample neighborhood, which is home to some of Barcelona’s best cultural attractions. If this is your first trip to the city, be sure to check out our guide on things to do in Barcelona and our best tips for hidden gems in Barcelona.
Is Barcelona LGBTQ friendly?
Barcelona is considered one of the friendliest cities in the world for LGBTQ travelers. Spain legalized gay marriage in 2005, and trans people can legally change their gender with or without gender-affirming surgery. Polls consistently show that public opinion on LGBTQ people is mostly positive, and you shouldn’t have any problems being visibly gay and showing affection in public. If you do run into any issues, the LGBTI Centre can help point you in the right direction and offer assistance. Spain’s capital, Madrid, has the highest LGBTQ population, but Barcelona also has a large, welcoming local scene that gay travelers will fall in love with.
The gay area in Barcelona: Gaixample
“Gai” is the Catalan word for “gay,” and “Gaixample” refers to the center of the Eixample district of Barcelona. This area sits on the outskirts of the Old Town and is known for its easy-to-navigate urban design. Its convenience makes it perfect for a Barcelona city break. You can find the Gaixample district between the streets of Carrer d’Aragó, Carrer de Balmes, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, and Carrer del Comte d’Urgell. Some streets, such as Carrer de la Diputació, have a higher proportion of LGBTQ establishments than others, but if you go anywhere in this area, you won’t be far from the best of Barcelona’s gay nightlife. If you decide to stay outside of the district, the Urgell and Universitat Metro stations are close by.
The best gay venues in Barcelona
These gay cafes, bars, and clubs are just a taste of what Barcelona has to offer. We’ve selected some of the finest places in the city, with something for those who want to party and those who want to relax. Most are situated within the Gaixample neighborhood, and many are within convenient walking distance of one another.
Punto BCN
Punto BCN has a very laid-back pub-like atmosphere, and it’s a great spot to relax in the afternoons and evenings. You can have some drinks, grab something to eat, play some pool, and chat with friends. Punto is a lovely place to start your night out, especially if you’re looking for a sit-down meal. For the most relaxed atmosphere, visit Punto in the afternoons, and for a bigger crowd, arrive later in the evening. It gets really busy by around 10:30 pm as it’s popular with locals and tourists alike. It hosts themed nights, live music, and other similar events.
Priscilla Cafe
Priscilla Cafe is another excellent option for those looking for a relaxed queer venue that isn’t mainly about drinking (although it serves alcohol). Named after the cult-classic Australian film, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Priscilla Cafe is located at the center of Eixample. Its interiors are the perfect blend of glitzy and cozy, with photos in bedazzled frames lining the walls. Open from 12:00 pm to 2:30 am, pop by for lunch and a show with drag queens performing throughout the week, or relax with drinks in the evening. Its Drag Bingo is especially popular and frequently held on Sundays.
Candy Darling
This is one of the most visited queer spaces in Barcelona because it offers many functions. Named after the iconic trans actress who starred in several Andy Warhol films, Candy Darling is a place to eat, drink, socialize, and be entertained. It hosts drag performances, cabarets, and circus performances. It serves toasted sandwiches (known as Bikini Darlings) including the delicious Pastrami Cuir and the Candy Candy. There are also pizza slices on the menu as well as excellent drinks from the bar. One of the bar’s most striking features is the array of LGBTQ art that lines the walls, including photography, murals, and neon light installations. Candy Darling is located close to the Plaça de la Universitat, and it’s a spacious, welcoming establishment that everyone should visit at least once during their trip to Barcelona.
Museum Bar
If you’re looking for another bar where alcohol and art collide, then check out Museum Bar, a unique gay club filled with replicas of paintings and statues. It’s only open on Fridays and Saturdays between 10:30 pm and 3:00 am, and it gets busiest after midnight. It plays pop music all night long, and it’s best that you drop by here if you’re in the mood to dance, as there’s very little seating space. Museum Bar is in a great location for bar hopping, close to a number of other gay and gay-friendly bars and clubs, such as Moeem and Disco City Hall.
Moeem
Moeem is a smaller, more intimate LGBTQ bar that’s known for its delicious cocktails served by friendly bartenders. Gin and tonics are Moeem’s specialty, and it has a wide variety of gins to suit different tastes. It opens at 6:00 pm and it’s a popular place to kick the night off before heading to other nearby bars and clubs. If you’re after a more low-key night, you could also stay here until closing, at 3:00 am. You can relax in the plush lounge area or show off your moves on the dancefloor. It often hosts themed nights, live performances, and parties. Outside of these events, you can always rely on a steady stream of pop and reggaeton to keep the dancefloor full.
Disco City Hall
Disco City Hall is one of Barcelona’s best party venues. While it’s not specifically a gay club, it hosts a gay party called Dirty Disco every Friday, which is one of the most popular gay events in Barcelona. The party is split between the main dance floors and a disco room, spread across three storeys, with excellent DJs keeping the music going all night long. It usually opens at 5:00 pm and doesn’t close until 5:00 am. The party starts at around midnight, so you can start your evening off at Moeem or Museum Bar and head over to Disco City Hall later in the evening. Outside of Dirty Disco, Disco City Hall is one of the best spots in Barcelona to see Flamenco dancers perform.
Barcelona’s gay events
In 2022, Barcelona saw around 50,000 people participate in its annual Pride March, many of whom were local residents. With such a strong LGBTQ community presence, there are plenty of other gay events in Barcelona that are worth planning your trip around. Most events take place during the warm months, from mid-summer Pride to late-summer parties and film festivals.
Barcelona Gay Pride
PRIDE Barcelona is held every year over a long weekend in late June. The event’s march usually begins at the Plaça de la Universitat and ends at the Passeig de Lluís Companys. Spain’s Pride March has its roots in the 1977 protest that took place on Las Ramblas Boulevard, organized by the Catalan Front for the Gay Liberation. The main Pride Festival is usually held at the Avinguda Maria Cristina, just by the Montjuic fountains. Previous performers on the Pride Festival stages include Aqua (of “Barbie Girl” fame) and the Dutch Eurodance group The Vengaboys. The Gaixample district organizes a street fair filled with a variety of stalls, speeches, and performances. Tibidabo Amusement Park hosts a “Gay Day at the Fair,” and at night you can head to the Matinée Pervert, Pride Edition Party, at the Input Club in El Poble Espanyol.
Circuit Festival
Beyond the gay bars and clubs in Barcelona, one of the city’s biggest attractions is its beautiful weather, and the yearly Circuit Festival brings the party out into the sun. Held in August, it makes the most of the end of summer, with over a week of parties held at various locations throughout Barcelona. Highlights include parties hosted by the Forever Tel Aviv group, the Water Park Party held at Illa Fantasia, and the Pool Party that takes place right by Barcelona’s beaches. There’s also the Girlie Circuit Festival, held at the same time, featuring the iconic lesbian rave The Legend Party, the La Leche Lesbian White Party, and the Girlie Water Park Party. Live performances and DJs keep the music going from day to night every day of the festival. If you need a break from all the partying, the festival also hosts film screenings and art exhibits, created and curated by LGBTQ artists.
Barcelona LGBTQ film festivals
Mostra FIRE!! was first held in 1995, making it the oldest-running LGBTQ film festival in Barcelona. Most screenings are held at the French Institute, near Eixample, but there are also open-air screenings throughout the festival. The Barcelona International Gay Film Festival is usually held in mid-August and features LGBTQ movies from around the world. Along with the screenings, you can watch panels discussing films and issues facing LGBTQ creators. Both festivals program documentaries, feature films, and short films.
Gay hotels in Barcelona
Spain has strong anti-discrimination laws, so generally, you won’t experience problems with any establishments. We’ve put together a list of some of the most inclusive hotels that offer comfort and convenience for LGBTQ travelers.
Cram Hotel
Cram Hotel is a popular gay-friendly hotel in Eixample, close to gay bars and clubs. It’s housed in a gorgeous 19th-century building that’s been outfitted with all the modern amenities. Be sure to head up to the seventh floor to try a meal at its Anemos Terrace Bar. It serves appetizers and tapas and offers incredible views of the city while you eat.
Axel Hotel
Axel Hotel is one of the most popular gay hotels in Barcelona. In fact, it has such a strong LGBTQ clientele that it bills itself, amusingly, as “hetero-friendly.” This adult-only hotel in the center of Gaixample recently opened up a second branch down the road to keep up with high tourist demand. The hotel’s Sky Bar offers amazing views of the city (and you don’t need to be staying at the hotel to visit). There’s a wellness club, complete with a gym and sauna, and complimentary breakfast. Many of the best gay bars in Barcelona are close by, and if you’re traveling alone, it’s an easy spot to meet fellow LGBTQ travelers. Its popularity means it’s often booked up months in advance, so try to get a room early.
Hotel Villa Emilia
Hotel Villa Emilia is situated at the edge of Gaixample, just a block away from the Rocafort metro station. This is a great option for travelers who need a pet-friendly hotel in Barcelona. One of the hotel’s highlights is the Zinc Bar, which features live performances from singers and musicians. Try to arrange your dinner here during the live performances for at least one night of your stay— the wonderful old-school atmosphere is worth the trip. There’s also a terrace where you can enjoy the fresh air or enjoy its barbecues held every Sunday.
Acevi Villarroel
Acevi Villarroel is in an ideal location for many travellers. It’s in the heart of the Gaixample district, close to many gay bars, cafes, and clubs. What stands out for many travelers is the hotel’s friendly, helpful staff and its spa that offers massages, saunas, and steam baths. Hotel guests receive significant discounts on all services. It’s also close to attractions such as the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art and Casa Batllo. The Universitat Metro Station is very close by, so getting around Barcelona is easy. Acevi Villarroel offers comfortable rooms, a lounge bar, and an on-site restaurant.
Hotel Soho
Hotel Soho is an excellent option in Gaixample for budget travellers. This is a stylish three-star hotel that offers great value for money. While the hotel itself doesn’t have a gym, if you stay here, you’ll get complimentary access to the one nearby. Plus, the in-house massage services are the perfect luxurious touch to help you relax after your flight or a long day of sightseeing. If you like to eat at your hotel, you’ll have two lovely options: a lounge area that serves a breakfast buffet each morning and a rooftop terrace where you can grab a drink and relax in the pool. It’s located near gay bars, excellent restaurants, and Barcelona’s beautiful Gothic Quarter. (For a deeper dive into Barcelona’s best restaurants, check out our guide. With its glowing orange sign out the front, you surely won’t miss it.
Ako Suites Hotel
Ako Suites Hotel isn’t quite as close to gay bars as the other options on this list, but it’s an excellent aparthotel-style option in Eixample. Each room is equipped with a kitchenette where you can cook meals in the comfort of your room, and there’s a supermarket just a few minutes away where you can buy ingredients. It also has hotel-style amenities such as a 24-hour reception desk and room service. To top it off, the rooftop swimming pool is a lovely place to relax and unwind after a long day of walking and partying.
