Malaga nightlife: what to do when the sun downs

Malaga is a city full of life during the daytime but also during the night. The city and its surroundings offer endless nightlife leisure possibilities. From small bars and pubs to rooftops and select discos in which to enjoy the night until the wee hours of the morning, the Malaga nightlife has something to offer to everybody.

Dinner time

A memorable night always starts with a memorable dinner. There are many fine dining options in town. Places like Eboka, La Antxoeta, Beluga or José Carlos García, with a Michelin star, won’t disappoint. If want to mix with the locals, remember not to book anything before 21:30- 22:00. Bookings are advisable, especially during the weekend.

Informal tapeo is also a good alternative. There is a good selection of tapas bars in town, ranging from the most traditional (El Pimpi, Orellana, Mesón Ibérico or Antigua Casa del Guardia) to the most creative ones (KGB, Taberna García). Just bear in mind that the tapas are not free with your drink as in other cities in Spain.

Where to have the first drink(s)

Even if you finish dinner around midnight, it will still be too early for heading to the pubs or discos, as they usually won’t start getting crowded until 2:00 or 3:00 hours. But do not worry, there are plenty of options to fill in that gap.

During spring and summer is officially rooftop season. Enjoying a cocktail on a terrace overlooking the city is one of the biggest pleasures that Malaga offers. There is a wide variety, most of them located in hotels and hostels, but here is a selection of our favourites: Molina Lario, AC Málaga Palacio, Oasis Lounge, Room Mate Larios terrace, Room Mate Valeria terrace, Hotel Sallés, Alcazaba Premium Hostel, San Juan Terrace. Some remain open during autumn and even winter too, but better check first!

If the weather is not great, you can also go to bars with a chilled atmosphere, in which the people sit to chat while sipping a drink, perfect to warm up before the dancing, like Sala Premier Centro or the Irish themed Morrisey’s.

As an alternative, you can always head to Mitjana square, where a young crowd gathers to drink outside the different bars that surround it.

Pubs

As we have already told you, the proper party starts around 02:00 or 03:00 hours. There are pubs in town to cater to all music preferences.

Nowadays pop/dance/latin music is the most typical combo in Malaga nightlife, so this is the kind of music you will find in most of the pubs in the city center, such as Tenessee, La Biblioteca or Malafama.

But if rock is your thing, don’t panic, there are still places to enjoy it, such as Indiana, ZZ Pub or Drunkorama. Some of them offer live music every now and then, check their social media to keep posted!

Clubs and discos

We need to warn you, Malaga is not a city of big discos Ibiza style. Still, there is a good selection of medium-size clubs, such as Liceo, Andén, Sala Gold, Málaga Theatro Club, Sala Wengué Privé or Bamboo Drinks and Music, all of which offer commercial pop/latin/dance music, and Sala Spectra, with a more indie/rock vibe.

Since all of them are located within the city center, spread around a couple of streets, you can easily visit a couple per night.

These clubs normally open during the weekends, some of them also Thursdays (typical party day for University students) and a few of them like Sala Gold, Theatro Club or Wengé remain open all week-long.

Nightlife in the surrounding areas

Just a few minutes by car to the West of Malaga you will find Torremolinos. Since a few years ago, the promenades of Playamar and Los Álamos have resurfaced with new beach clubs offering hammocks during the day and good music during the night, mainly during the spring/summer season. Maná Playamar, Nuevo & Sur Beah House, Maracas, Café del Sol, or Los Alamos Beach Club are some of the most popular options in the area.

A bit further ahead, you will get to Benalmádena, a thriving resort that boasts a multitude of fabulous night clubs, discos, and late-night bars. Most of the larger are more raucous clubs are situated in Plaza Solymar (also known as 24-hour Square) on the coast road, and the rest are in the award-winning Puerto Marina. Kiu is the largest and most popular club in Solymar, and La Cubana Café, Banana or Kaleido, some of the most renowned in Puerto Marina.