Gay travellers 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 travellers. Barcelona’s local 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 in the city continuing to campaign today. The main gay neighbourhood can be found at the edge of the Old Town district, in the lively Eixample neighbourhood, which is home to some of Barcelona’s best cultural attractions.
Is Barcelona LGBTQ friendly?
Barcelona is considered one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the world. Spain legalized gay marriage in 2005, and trans people can legally change their gender with or without gender-affirming surgery. Polls consistently show public opinion on LGBTQ people as 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. Spain’s capital, Madrid, is estimated to have the highest LGBT population, but Barcelona also has a large, welcoming local scene that gay travellers will fall in love with.
The gay area in Barcelona: Gaixample
‘Gai’ is the Catalan word for ‘gay’, and ‘Gaixample’ refers to the centre of the Eixample district of Barcelona. This area sits on the outskirts of the Old Town and is known for its easy-to-navigate grid layout. Its convenience makes it perfect for a Barcelona city break. You can find the Gaixample district between the streets of Carrer d’Arago, Carrer de Balmes, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, and Carrer del Comte d’Urgell. Some streets, such as Carrer Diputacio, 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 very best offerings, with something for those who want to party and those who want to relax. Most are situated within the Gaixample neighbourhood, and many are within easy walking distance of each other.
Punto BCN
Punto BCN has a very laidback 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 great 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 and it’s popular with locals and tourists alike. They host themed nights, live music, and other events.
Priscilla Cafe
Priscilla Cafe is another great option for those looking for a relaxed queer venue that isn’t as focused on alcohol (although, it is available). Named after the classic Australian film “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”, Priscilla Cafe can be found in the centre 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 02:30 am, pop by for lunch and a show with drag queens performing throughout the week, or relax with drinks in the evening. Their Drag Bingo is especially popular and frequently held on Sundays.
Candy Darling
This is one of the most versatile queer spaces in Barcelona. Named for the iconic trans actress who starred in multiple Andy Warhol films, Candy Darling is a place to eat, drink, socialize, and be entertained. They host drag performances, cabarets, circus performances, and much more. They serve up toasted sandwiches (known as ‘Bikini Darlings’) including the delicious ‘Pastrami Cuir’ and the ‘Candy Candy’. There are also pizza slices on the menu, and, of course, they serve excellent drinks from the bar. One of the bar’s best features is the array of LGBTQ art that lines the walls, including photography, murals, and neon light installations. Candy Darling can be found close to the Placa 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 copies of paintings and statues. It’s only open on Fridays and Saturdays between 10:30 pm and 03:00 am, and it gets busiest after midnight. They play pop music all night long, and you should only head 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, like Moeem and Disco City Hall.
Moeem
Moeem is a smaller, more intimate LGBTQ bar that’s known for its delicious cocktails served up by friendly bartenders. Gin and tonics are Moeem’s specialty, and they have a wide variety of gins to suit different tastes. It opens at 06:00 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 easily stay here until closing, at 03:00 am. You can relax in the plush lounge area or show off your moves on the dance floor. They often host 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 dance floor full.
Disco City Hall
Disco City Hall is one of Barcelona’s best party venues. While it’s not always a gay club, they host a gay party called ‘Dirty Disco’ every Friday, and it’s 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 stories, with excellent DJs keeping the music going all night long. It usually opens at 05:00 pm and doesn’t close until 05:00 am. The party really starts at around midnight, so you can start your evening off at Moeem or Museum Bar and head 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 march in its annual Pride March, many of them local. With such a strong LGBTQ community, there are plenty of other gay events in Barcelona that are worth planning your trip around. Most events take place during the warm weather 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 Placa de la Universitat and ends at the Passeig de Lluis 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 Dutch Eurodance group The Vengaboys. The Gaixample district usually hosts 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 Matinee Pervert, Pride Edition Party, at the Input Club in El Poble Espanyol.
Circuit Festival
Beyond the gay bars and gay 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, Circuit Festival 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 a 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 usually hosts film screenings and art collections, created and curated by LGBTQ artists.
Barcelona LGBTQ film festivals
Mostra FIRE!! was first held in 1995, which makes it the oldest-running LGBTQ film festival in Barcelona. Most screenings are held at the French Institute, near Eixample, but there are also often open-air screenings throughout the festival. The Barcelona International Gay Film Festival is usually held in mid-August and features LGBTQ cinematic storytelling from around the world. Along with screenings of the films themselves, you can watch panels discussing films and issues facing LGBTQ creators. Both festivals include documentaries, feature films, and short films.
Gay hotels in Barcelona
Spain has strong anti-discrimination laws, so you shouldn’t find yourself turned away from any establishments. We’ve put together a list of some of the best gay-friendly hotels that offer comfort and convenience for LGBTQ travellers.
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 you could want. Be sure to head up to the seventh floor to try a meal at their 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 it bills itself as ‘hetero friendly’. This adult-only hotel in the centre of Gaixample recently opened up a second branch down the road to keep up with 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 just moments away, and if you’re travelling solo, it’s an easy spot to meet fellow LGBTQ travellers. 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 travellers who need a pet-friendly hotel in Barcelona. One of the hotel’s highlights is the Zinc Bar, which often features live performances from singers and musicians. Try to time dinner here with the live performances for at least one night of your stay; it’s a wonderful old-school atmosphere. There’s also a terrace where you can enjoy the fresh air or enjoy their 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 travellers is the hotel’s friendly, helpful staff, plus there’s a spa, offering massages, saunas, and steambaths. Guests of the hotel receive significant discounts on all services. It’s also close to attractions like 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, comfortable 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 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 as well as several excellent restaurants and Barcelona’s beautiful Gothic Quarter. With its glowing orange sign out the front, you won’t be able to 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 from 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 like a 24-hour reception desk and room service. The rooftop swimming pool is a great place to relax.
