Barcelona has a vivid gay scene with many bars and clubs throughout the city, especially around L'Eixample and Gracia.

Where to party?
The moment you enter the area of L´Eixample, north of the city centre, you're greeted with a few rainbow flags and banners hung with pride from the lamp posts and stores. The neighbourhood is incredibly historic, safe and friendly but remember this is not New York or London so don´t expect the pot of club gold at the end of the rainbow. However, click your heels and you never know - you´re in the right area at the very least.

The Low down on the Low!!
We don't mind straight people, as long as they act gay in public, Right?
Well Barcelona has got it down to a tee. Gay clubs are packed with straight people acting gay; it´s bizarre and very confusing. Remember, prostitution is prominent in gay Spain so be careful, the gay clubs are a rainbow flag to the Spanish straight bulls.

When to go out?
Nightlife, gay or straight, starts very late, particularly at the weekends, so be sure to start out your night at one of the many gay cocktail bars, coffee shops or trendy outdoor restaurants. In the warmer months the gay streets of L´Eixample are more like a runway show, so eye candy a plenty before hitting the bars.

Look at going out at around 10pm for dinner or drinks
Bars get busy at 12.30ish (not before) so don´t even think of entering a club before 2am!! Clubs close at around 6am. Then there are countless "After hours".

Freebies
Free passes to clubs are always available from the door staff at the bigger bars at around 1am. Sadly they don´t have many "girls passes" so ask early or you will pay dearly... Be warned!

"After Hours" free passes are available from PR people as the clubs close. Again be warned, the after parties may be out of the city centre. A taxi there will be easy and inexpensive, but getting back could be tricky.

Some Bars around town:

Schillling on Calle Ferran (tables out the back as opposed to in the front of bar)
Dietrich on Consell de Cent, 255 (Dance Floor and Nightly Drag Shows)
Zafron (Lesbian - Gay Bar)on Casanova, 68
Matchin on Casanova, (just above Gran Via)
All free woman on Casanova (just above Gran Via)
Cafe de le Calle on Carrer de Vic, 11 (meeting place for lesbians & gay men)
Bahia on Carrer de Seneca, 12 (predominantly lesbian bar open until about 2.30am)
La Rosa on Passatge de Brusi, 39 (predominantly lesbian)
Some Discos/Clubs around town:
Metro on Carrer de Sepuulveda, 185 (gay and lesbian with a 5 to 10 Euro cover charge)
Martin´s on Passieg de Gracia, 130 (gay men only)
Arena on Carrer de Balmes, 32 (young cruisey gay crowd)
more info to follow soon!!!