Best Bars in Barcelona for Solo Travelers
Traveling to Barcelona alone sounds exciting until you actually arrive and realize you have no one to text, “Want to grab a drink tonight?” You can explore the city all day by yourself, but when the sun goes down, finding somewhere that feels social can be a little harder.
The good news? Barcelona is one of those cities where going out alone doesn’t have to mean actually being alone. The right bar can make it surprisingly easy to meet people, especially if there is something happening besides just sitting at a table with your drink.
So, where should you actually go?
In this guide, we’ve put together some of the best bars Barcelona solo travelers should check out if they want to meet new people, have a fun night and actually talk to other travelers and locals. Think language exchanges, karaoke, beer pong, live music, games and relaxed places where it doesn’t feel weird to walk in alone. The reason we are going to some of them is the people and staff is used to receive many travelers and expats so the vibe is made for meeting people and connect.
And honestly, that’s exactly what I would look for if I were exploring Barcelona on my own!
St Christopher’s Inn Barcelona – Easy to meet other travelers
If you’re traveling solo, hostels can be one of the easiest places to meet people. You don’t even need to be staying there to enjoy the social atmosphere at the bar.
St Christopher’s Inn Barcelona is right in the city center and has a lively bar where travelers from different countries come together. Because there are usually lots of people traveling alone or in small groups, starting a conversation feels much more natural than it would in a traditional cocktail bar.
Grab a drink, sit at the bar or join a group playing a game and see where the evening takes you. You might end up talking to someone from Germany, Australia, Italy or somewhere completely unexpected.
Why solo travelers might like it:
- Lots of international travelers
- Social hostel atmosphere
- Easy place to start conversations
- Good option if you want to meet people before going out later
If you’re planning a bigger night out, you can also join a Tour Me Out Pub Crawl Barcelona and meet even more people while exploring different nightlife spots around the city.
Espit Chupitos – For a night that starts with a conversation
Some bars are made for sitting quietly with a cocktail. Espit Chupitos is definitely not one of them.
This Barcelona bar is famous for its huge selection of creative shots, and ordering one can easily become a conversation starter. You’ll find unusual combinations and fun ways of serving drinks, so it’s the kind of place where people naturally look at what everyone else is ordering.
And that gives you an easy opening line.
“Okay, what did you just order?”
That’s basically all you need!
If you’re traveling alone, choosing a lively bar like this can make things much less awkward. People are generally there to have fun rather than sit quietly with their friends, so joining a conversation or asking someone what shot they recommend doesn’t feel too strange.
It’s also a good place to visit with a group you’ve just met earlier in the evening.
Why solo travelers might like it:
- Fun and unusual drinks give you an easy conversation starter
- Lively atmosphere
- Great for groups and new friends
- Easy to combine with other nightlife spots
Belushi’s Barcelona – Beer pong, games and international travelers
If your idea of meeting people involves playing a game instead of awkwardly introducing yourself, Belushi’s could be exactly what you’re looking for.
Located near Plaça de Catalunya, Belushi’s is known for its energetic international atmosphere. You’ll find travelers, students and groups looking for a fun night out, and the bar regularly hosts social activities and games.
Beer pong is a classic for a reason. You can walk over to a table, ask if there’s space and suddenly you’re playing against people you met five minutes ago.
It’s much easier to make friends when you’re doing something together.
The bar is also a useful starting point if you’re staying in Barcelona for a few days and want to meet people from outside your hostel. You’ll often find an international crowd, which means there’s a good chance someone else is also traveling and looking for people to hang out with.
Why solo travelers might like it:
- Beer pong and social games
- International crowd
- High-energy atmosphere
- Easy way to join a group without a formal introduction
L’Ovella Negra – Games, groups and a proper night out
L’Ovella Negra is another classic option if you want your night to involve more than just drinking.
The atmosphere is big, casual and social, making it a popular place for students and international visitors. Depending on the location and event, you can find things like table football, pool and other activities that naturally bring people together.
And that’s exactly what you want when you’re alone.
Instead of sitting at a tiny table scrolling through Instagram, you can actually do something. Challenge someone to a game, join a group or simply ask people what they’re doing later.
It’s also the kind of place where groups can easily mix together, so if you meet someone earlier in the evening, it’s easy to continue the night here.
Why solo travelers might like it:
- Games and activities
- Big social atmosphere
- Popular with students and travelers
- Good place to continue your night with people you’ve just met
The George Payne – Pub games and a social atmosphere
If you like the idea of a traditional pub but still want somewhere where meeting people is possible, The George Payne is worth checking out.
It has a lively Irish-pub atmosphere and regularly attracts an international crowd. Sports, games and events can make it much easier to start talking to people around you.
This is especially good if you’re not someone who enjoys walking into a completely silent cocktail bar alone.
You can order a drink, find a spot near the bar and just see what’s happening. If there’s a game on, you already have something to talk about. If there’s an event happening, even better.
Sometimes you don’t need an amazing opening line. You just need something happening around you.
Why solo travelers might like it:
- International pub atmosphere
- Sports and events can create conversation
- Good for casual drinks
- Easy place to join a group
Barcelona Language Exchange events – Meet locals and international people
One of the best ways to meet people in Barcelona is to do something specifically designed for it. Language exchange events are perfect if you’re traveling alone because everyone is literally there to talk to other people. You can meet locals who want to practice English, Spanish or another language, as well as international travelers who are looking to make friends.
And unlike randomly approaching someone in a bar, you already have an obvious reason to start talking.
“Where are you from?”
“What language are you learning?”
“How long have you been in Barcelona?”
That’s basically the entire conversation starter sorted.
Language exchange nights can also be a great option if you want to meet people outside the typical tourist crowd. You’re not just meeting people who are staying in the same hostel; you can also meet people who actually live in Barcelona.
Why solo travelers might like it:
- Designed around meeting new people
- Mix of locals and international visitors
- Easy conversation starters
- Great if you want to make friends beyond one night
Jamboree – When you want music to do the talking
Sometimes you don’t want an organized activity. You just want good music and a place where people are actually enjoying themselves.
Jamboree is a well-known nightlife spot in Barcelona, particularly associated with live music and club nights. Because there is a performance or DJ creating the atmosphere, you don’t have to rely entirely on conversation to have a good time.
If you’re traveling solo, live music can actually make going out alone feel much more comfortable. You can watch the show, get a drink and gradually start talking to people around you.
And if you meet someone who likes the same music? There’s your conversation.
Why solo travelers might like it:
- Music gives you something to do
- Social nightlife atmosphere
- Good option if you enjoy dancing
- Easy to combine with other nightlife stops
Karaoke bars – Because singing with strangers is less awkward than talking to them
Okay, hear me out.
Karaoke might sound like the last thing you would want to do alone, but it can actually be one of the easiest ways to meet people. Why? Because nobody is there to be cool.
Everyone is either singing, waiting to sing or cheering someone else on. That immediately removes a lot of the awkwardness you can get in a normal bar. If you see a group choosing songs, you can ask what they’re singing. If someone is looking for another person to join them, go for it. And if you’re brave enough, choose a song yourself.
You might start the evening singing with people you have never met and end it having a group to go out with afterwards.
Barcelona has several karaoke spots and themed karaoke nights, so it’s worth checking what is happening during your visit rather than choosing a random night.
Why solo travelers might like it:
- Everyone is there to interact
- Easy icebreaker
- Fun even if you don’t know anyone
- Great for meeting people who are also there to socialize
Want to meet even more people?
If the thought of planning your entire night alone sounds like a lot, joining a group can make things much easier.
A Pub Crawl Barcelona is a simple way to meet other travelers while visiting several nightlife spots in one night. Instead of wondering where everyone is going, you already have a group to go with.
The best part about joining something like this when you’re traveling solo is that you’re not really solo anymore. You might arrive alone, but after one or two drinks and a few conversations, you’re suddenly standing with people from five different countries trying to decide where to go next.
Barcelona is actually a pretty good city to travel alone
Going to a bar alone can sound intimidating before you do it. But Barcelona has such an international nightlife scene that you’re unlikely to be the only person who arrived without a group.
The trick is choosing the right kind of place.
If your goal is to meet people, don’t just search for the most famous bar in Barcelona. Look for places where something happens: language exchanges, karaoke, beer pong, live music, games or organized events.
Because at the end of the day, the best night isn’t necessarily the one where you visit the most famous bar.
It’s the one where you walk in knowing absolutely nobody and walk out with people to meet again tomorrow.
So, save this list, pick a place and go. Your future Barcelona friends might literally be sitting at the table next to you!
