Open Mind Barcelona

El Cangrejo is a small but classic late night gay bar with a brilliant energy, the best place to dance to a mix of old and new Spanish music too. Everybody loves to sing along, creating a really fun and welcoming atmosphere where everyone can drink together. Entrance is free and you can stay to party till the early hours with a truly mixed crowd of all ages and genders.

Colourful, political and proudly queer, Lo de Carmen offers something refreshingly different from the predominantly male bar scene in Gaixample. Drag, karaoke, DJs and community events feature regularly, with an especially welcoming approach to trans, non-binary and gender-diverse guests. The venue sits on Paral·lel between Sant Antoni and Poble-sec, away from the main Eixample cluster but close to the more alternative LGBTQ+ scene around venues such as La Federica and Bar Rufián. The crowd is broad, creative and local-feeling, mixing queer women, gay men, trans and non-binary people rather than aiming at one particular demographic.

Imperial is a substantial two-level gay and queer fetish club combining music and socialising upstairs with a much more adventurous cruising area below. Across roughly 600 square metres you'll find bars, a dance floor, chill-out areas and an extensive play zone with cabins and other fetish facilities. It's right in Gaixample on Aribau, opposite the Axel Hotel and just along from Gingin, so it slots easily into a night around the surrounding gay bars. Events vary considerably, from general LGBTQ+ parties to leather, underwear and kink-focused nights, attracting gay men and a broader sex-positive queer crowd. Check the night's theme or dress expectations before visiting.

One of the newer additions to Gaixample, HBB Barcelona combines a daytime café and casual food spot with a friendly gay bear bar once evening arrives. There’s also a street terrace, making it an easy place for coffee, food or a relaxed first drink before things get busier later. The location could hardly be more central to Barcelona's gay scene. La Sastrería is virtually next door, with DMEN'S, Priscilla and numerous other LGBTQ+ venues within a few minutes' walk. Bears and admirers form the core crowd, but the atmosphere is deliberately inclusive and noticeably more easy-going than a specialist fetish bar.

Safari is a loud and colourful place that hosts some of the best parties in Barcelona. DJs and live music fuel late night dancing across two large rooms that are always packed. Safari is an icon of nightlife in the city and something of a benchmark for your clubbing experience here. You can even book out rooms for private parties and make some amazing memories.

Drag is very much the heart of Strass Barcelona, with shows running regularly through the week alongside music, drinks and the occasional bingo session. The style is fun and accessible rather than high-concept, making this a good choice when you want traditional Barcelona drag entertainment without committing to a big club night. The Villarroel address puts Strass firmly inside Gaixample. The Moon Barcelona is only a few doors away, while El Cangrejo, Bacon Bear Bar and several other gay venues are within an easy walk. The crowd mixes locals and tourists across a broad age range, with evenings often starting fairly relaxed before becoming much livelier later on.