19 late-night dives worth the night across Spain, editor-ranked. All Spain guides.
La Venencia ★ 4.7 · Madrid
las-letras · Calle de Echegaray 7, 28014 Madrid
La Venencia on Calle de Echegaray in Las Letras has poured Jerez and manzanilla sherries since 1922 in an old taberna with dark-wood barrels, the prices marked in chalk on the counter and a no-photographs Civil-War rule.
Tip: Five sherries on the list (Manzanilla, Fino, Oloroso, Amontillado, Palo Cortado), tapas of tuna, olives and pickles. No tipping (socialist principles), no photos.
Boadas Cocktails ★ 4.6 · Barcelona
raval · Carrer dels Tallers 1, 08001 Barcelona
Boadas on Carrer dels Tallers off La Rambla has run since 1933 as Spain's oldest cocktail bar, founded by Cuban-born Catalan Miguel Boadas who learned the trade at Hemingway's Floridita in Havana.
Tip: Standing room mostly; the bow-tied bartenders throw cocktails behind the small bar. No menu, just ask for what you want.
Bodega de la Ardosa ★ 4.6 · Madrid
malasana · Calle de Colon 13, 28004 Madrid
Bodega de la Ardosa on Calle de Colon in Malasana has run since 1892 as the standing-room tile-fronted taberna for vermut on tap and beer pulled with practiced hand, with croquetas, tortilla de patatas and gildas at the bar.
Tip: Standing room only at the bar; squeeze in for the famous tortilla de patatas and a vermut. Open daily from 09:00; closing 02:00 every night.
Casa Camacho ★ 4.5 · Madrid
malasana · Calle de San Andres 4, 28004 Madrid
Casa Camacho on Calle de San Andres in Malasana since the 1920s pours the yayos, the house mix of soda, vermouth and gin, with affordable tapas of patatas bravas, marinated tuna and Madrid-style tripe.
Tip: The yayos is the order; tapas plates from 3 euros. Open Mon to Sat 12:30 to 02:00; closed Sunday. Cash bar is faster than the till.
Bar Marsella ★ 4.4 · Barcelona
raval · Carrer de Sant Pau 65, 08001 Barcelona
Bar Marsella on Carrer de Sant Pau in Raval has run since 1820 as Barcelona's oldest bar, with flaking paint walls, dust-covered absinthe bottles and the green-fairy ritual served with sugar cube and ice water.
Tip: Tuesday to Sunday from 17:00; absinthe starts at 5.30 euros and is served with the spoon-sugar-cube ritual. Cash only is faster than card.
Tinta Roja ★ 4.4 · Barcelona
poble-sec · Carrer de la Creu dels Molers 17, 08004 Barcelona
Tinta Roja on Carrer de la Creu dels Molers in Poble Sec is the Argentine cabaret-themed bar-teatro founded in 1998, with red velvet drapes, antique furniture and tango shows Thursday to Sunday.
Tip: Concerts and dance performances Thu to Sun nights in the back Gardel room. Wednesday evenings run an open tango class; arrive 21:00 for the warm-up.
El Anciano Rey de los Vinos ★ 4.4 · Madrid
centro · Calle de Bailen 19, 28013 Madrid
El Anciano Rey de los Vinos on Calle de Bailen by the Almudena Cathedral was founded in 1909 by Luis Moron, with the red facade and bright tile front of the traditional Madrid taberna and a Madrid-de-los-Austrias wine list.
Tip: Vermut and house-pour wines at the marble counter; the typical-taberna front is one of the city's prettiest. Closed Sunday lunchtime; opens 10:00 most days.
Mala Gissona Beer House ★ 4.4 · San Sebastián
gros · Calle Zabaleta 53, 20002 Donostia
Mala Gissona Beer House on Calle Zabaleta in San Sebastian is the Gros craft-beer dive 100 metres from Zurriola, with 12 taps and 150-plus cans split between the Oiartzun house brewery and guests.
Tip: Kitchen runs late; Thursday through Saturday close at 01:00 or later. Stand at the front bar for the surf-and-skate Gros crowd talking flights.
Basqueland Izakaia ★ 4.4 · San Sebastián
gros · Calle Peña y Goñi 4, 20002 Donostia
Basqueland Izakaia on Calle Peña y Goñi in San Sebastian is the Gros taproom for Basqueland Brewing, opened 2020 with 12 rotating taps and Asian bar food from David Ragnacci and Kristel Luna.
Tip: Pair the Santa Clara lager with the ramen; the room runs late and weekend taps rotate fastest. Walk-in only, the bar tightens after dinner service spills over.
Bar Pastís ★ 4.3 · Barcelona
raval · Carrer de Santa Mònica 4, 08001 Barcelona
Bar Pastís on Carrer de Santa Mònica in Raval has run since 1947 as a tiny French-music shrine, with walls covered in Édith Piaf posters, French chanson on the speakers and pastís as the house pour.
Tip: Live music Sun to Thu around 23:00 in a super-small format. The room seats maybe 20; arrive early or stand at the door.
Sor Rita Bar ★ 4.3 · Barcelona
gotic · Carrer de la Mercè 27, 08002 Barcelona
Sor Rita on Carrer de la Mercè in the Gothic Quarter is the Almodóvar-styled queer-friendly bar with leopard-print wallpaper, high heels nailed to the ceiling and a different themed event every night of the week.
Tip: Monday cocktails and tarot, Tuesday open buffet for 6 euros, Thursday free karaoke with a dressing-up box. Walk-in; gets packed late.
Ocaña ★ 4.2 · Barcelona
gotic · Plaça Reial 13-15, 08002 Barcelona
Ocaña on Plaça Reial is the cafe-bar-club complex that occupies a corner of the square, with a street-terrace cafe, the Apotheke basement cocktail bar and a small late-night club running together.
Tip: Apotheke downstairs is the cocktail room and runs DJ sets late; the terrace is the easy afternoon drink with the Plaça Reial in view.
Lolina Vintage Café ★ 4.2 · Madrid
malasana · Calle del Espiritu Santo 9, 28004 Madrid
Lolina Vintage Cafe on Calle del Espiritu Santo in Malasana mimics a 1950s to 1970s living room with patterned wallpaper, vintage lamps and escay furniture, serving brunch by day and 60s-music parties by night.
Tip: Brunch served daily; Thursday to Saturday the downstairs lounge runs 60s music parties. Walk-in, the room is small at peak.
Tupperware ★ 4.2 · Madrid
malasana · Calle Corredera Alta de San Pablo 26, 28004 Madrid
Tupperware on Corredera Alta de San Pablo in Malasana is the throwback cocktail bar with 1980s decor and a Mauro Entrialgo back-wall mural of the Malasana indie and rock scene, the canon Malasana late-night.
Tip: Two floors with seating upstairs; the room peaks 01:00 to 03:00 weekends. The mural and the kitschy decor are the photo seats.
Pub Drop ★ 4.1 · San Sebastián
centro · Calle Reyes Catolicos 18, 20006 Donostia
Pub Drop on Calle Reyes Catolicos in San Sebastian is the cathedral-facing craft-beer pub with 19 taps and a Friday late-close to 04:00, anchoring the Centro after-dark crawl.
Tip: About half the 19 taps pour local Basque beers; Friday closes at 04:00. The front patio across from Buen Pastor cathedral is the easiest seat before midnight.
El Pez Gato ★ 4.0 · Madrid
malasana · Calle del Pez 40, 28004 Madrid
El Pez Gato on Calle del Pez in Malasana is the live-music bar near San Bernardo programming concerts, cultural events and karaoke in the heart of the Malasana late-night strip.
Tip: Concerts most weekend nights; karaoke session midweek. Tribunal L1 L10 or Noviciado L2 are the nearest metros; the room is small, arrive early for the gig.
Bar Udaberri ★ 4.0 · San Sebastián
centro · Calle Larramendi 8, 20006 Donostia
Bar Udaberri on Calle Larramendi in San Sebastian is the 1930s Centro retro bar one block from Reyes Catolicos, alternative-music programmed with weekend DJ nights pulling the late student crowd.
Tip: Open from 07:00 to 02:30 on weekends; Sunday opens at 08:30. The vintage interior survives unrenovated; the tostas at the counter feed the late drinkers.
Picachilla Taberna Nautikoa ★ 4.0 · San Sebastián
gros · Calle Peña y Goñi 1, 20002 Donostia
Picachilla Taberna Nautikoa on Calle Peña y Goñi in San Sebastian is the Gros nautical-themed local across from the Kursaal, with 100-plus beers and televised Real Sociedad matches that run late.
Tip: Match nights run the bar at full volume until last whistle, then the room thins for a quiet pour. The terrace faces the Cubos de Moneo and Zurriola promenade.
Convent Garden ★ 4.0 · San Sebastián
centro · Calle Manterola 15, 20006 Donostia
Convent Garden on Calle Manterola in San Sebastian is the converted 1905 to 2015 convent of the Sisters Maria Reparadoras, now a four-space late-night venue with patio, rooftop, crypt and restaurant.
Tip: The retractable patio roof opens on warm nights; the crypt stages live music and DJ sessions. Part of A Room in the City hostel; the crowd skews younger.