The Best Parties in Barcelona

So you've read all about the best party districts and places to go out on our Barcelona nightlife page, and you've checked out our 'drink' section for some top bar and club reviews... but there's still one vital piece of the knowledge jigsaw missing! When to turn up!

As the Barcelona Life team are something of nightlife connoisseurs ourselves we know that 'when', can be even more important than 'where', and that's why we've compiled a short list of suggestions of hot parties to check out on each separate night of the week. We hope this party calendar helps you keep on top of all the drinking and dancing action in the city, and as always we welcome - indeed actively encourage - your comments below! Salud amigos!.

Above: the crowds go wild at the legendary El Row after party on Sundays

Barcelona Weekly Party Calendar

Whatever the night of the week it is, there's always something going on in this town! Check below for some guaranteed great nights out...

Monday Night
Nasty Mondays have been a rite of passage for newcomers to Barcelona for many a year, and still attract a loyal following thanks to the crazy vibes, hot crowd and mash-up of rock, indie and pop sounds, with a second floor of electro. Currently the night is held in Sala Apolo, just by Parallel Metro station. A more intimate alternative is Staffroom Monday + Bang It On at 7Sins - this is where the hardworking bar staff of Barcelona's bars let loose, and everyone's invited to take over DJ duty - at least 'til they get booed off the decks (all good fun)! With drink promos and a friendly, unhinged crowd, this is a guaranteed manic Monday!.

Tuesday Night
If you're looking for a bit of midweek glamour then look no further than Models' Night at Monk, when assorted good-lookers shake the booties amidst praying Bhuddas. If however you just want to get down and dirty with the skate and surf crowd, then make a beeline to Sala Apolo for Nasty Monday's sibling - the amazing Crappy Tuesdays!

Wednesday Night
Wednesdays sees regular big name DJs, from the likes of London and Berlin, turn up at Moog Club for electronic and minimal madness on what is never a quiet night.

Thursday Night
Thursdays are the start of the weekends in Barcelona and you should note a marked increase in the number of locals propping up bars around the city. For guaranteed good times the upmarket Sutton Club will be heaving with wannabe party animals. Get on the guestlist and get there well before 3am. For the antithesis of pretentious clubbing, check out weekly drum'n'bass night Upbeatz in Plataforma club (Nou de la Rambla, 145); or Indie Night at 7Sins, where guest DJs blast the dancefloor with indie rock, electro pop and eclectic sounds (check out their Facebook page for more parties). For a little 80s madness then slip on your jumpsuit and Reebok high tops and head down to Cupcake at Apolo. It's run by the Nasty Mondays crew so that tells you all you need to know!



Friday Night
The weekend starts in earnest and virtually every club in the city will boast a packed dancefloor from 3am to sunrise. Check out our A-Z list of the city's best bars and clubs for some suggestions. It's impossible to list them all here, but the likes of Row 14, Razzmatazz and La Terrazza will be bringing out the big guns when it comes to international DJ acts. For something a little more refined check out this Barcelona Life-endorsed VIP night tour, which runs every Friday and Saturday from April 'til October (and on demand during other times!).

Saturday Night
Ditto Friday night. Everywhere around Plaza Real and the Port Olimpic will be heaving. Best to get to clubs a little before the Catalans to be in with a better chance, as the queues get nasty around 2.30am generally. Our guide to nightlife in Barcelona is probably the best place to start for an overall look at the scene.

Sunday Night
Parties on Sundays in Barcelona can be clandestine affairs, but there are certainly a few hip events to check out. Undoubtedly the biggest and the best is the legendary El Row after party at Row 14, which starts at 6.30am and goes on way into the day. The likes of Richie Hawtin have been known to man the decks during these unforgettable after parties.

NB: A lot of the more popular club nights, like Opium Mar, operate a strict door policy - if your name ain't down you ain't coming in! Read our article about guestlists and free entry to Barcelona nightclubs to ensure your big night out doesn't come to a premature end. As we mentioned, a good option on Friday and Saturday nights is to sign up for the Barcelona Party Nights tour (we'll hook you up with them!), which includes free entry to Opium and takes the hassle out of having a great night, as well as introducing you to some like-minded hedonists!

Barcelona Party Promoters

Electronic music lovers have plenty of options in Barcelona, and clubs like Sala Becool, The Loft at Sala Razzmatazz, Sala Apolo, Moog, and City Hall have beeps and blips aplenty. Some of the best parties however are thrown by passionate independent promoters keen to expose Barcelona to the most exciting trends in house, techno and electronica. Here are a couple whose mailing lists are well worth joining:

Voltech Party
These guys have been organising dance music events since 2003 in Barcelona and show no signs of letting up. Funky techy house aplenty, and great vibes characterise their regular events, with their staple venue being Sala Mephisto (C/Roc Boronat 33) in Poblenou. Check out their website and join their mailing list for info and discounts.
www.voltechparty.com

Ababol Party
It's no secret that Barcelona's underground culture scene is not what it was... constant bills of new legislation and a pandering to mainstream tourism is, if not killing, dampening the vibe of the underground dance music and artistic culture. Ababol Party are keen to bring this vibe back to life and whatever's going on around town that's unique and interesting, they publish in their weekly programme. Squat raves, dubstep parties or italo-disco... check out their website to find out more.
www.ababolparty.com

Ababol also post their party recommendations on this excellent, fledgling Barcelona Nightlife Facebook group!