Going out in Valencia feels a little different from going out in many other European cities. The city is big enough to have something for everyone, but small enough that you can easily walk from one bar to the next. One minute you are having a cocktail in a tiny bar in Ruzafa, and half an hour later you are sitting on a terrace in El Carmen with a completely different atmosphere around you.

And then there is the Spanish way of going out. Nobody seems to be in a hurry. You can start with dinner, have a drink, wander around without a plan, find a busy little bar and somehow end up staying out until 3 a.m. What starts as “let’s just have one drink” can very easily turn into a full night!

What I especially love about Valencia is that you don’t have to spend your whole night in one place. Ruzafa, El Carmen, Cánovas and the Marina all have their own vibe, so moving around is part of the fun. You can make your night as relaxed or as crazy as you want.

And if you’re travelling with friends, or even on your own, Valencia makes it pretty easy to meet people. There are plenty of international students, travellers and locals going out, so you rarely feel like you’re the only person who doesn’t know the city yet.

Basically, if you’re looking for a city where good weather, late nights, cheap-ish drinks, good food and spontaneous plansall come together, Valencia is a pretty easy choice. Just don’t be surprised if that one drink turns into five 😉

Café Berlín – where you can actually meet people

If you’re looking for a bar where you can actually meet people instead of sitting at a table with your own group all night, Café Berlín is a really good place to start.

You’ll find it in Ruzafa, one of Valencia’s most popular neighbourhoods for going out. But what makes Café Berlín interesting isn’t just the cocktails. They regularly organise activities specifically designed to get people talking.

One of these is their language exchange, where people can practise different languages while having a drink. They also organise icebreaker activities and board games, which is honestly perfect if you’re new to the city and don’t know many people yet.

And you don’t have to be fluent in Spanish or know exactly what you’re doing. That’s kind of the point. You can walk in, order a drink and suddenly find yourself talking to someone from Italy, Spain, Germany or somewhere completely different.

I also like that you can come here even if you aren’t in the mood for a huge night out. Have a few drinks, meet some people and then decide what you want to do next.

My tip: check what event is happening before you go. A language exchange is obviously very different from a normal night, so choose the one that sounds most fun to you.

St. Patrick’s – beer pong, pub quizzes and new friends

You probably don’t need an introduction to an Irish pub, but St. Patrick’s in Valencia is worth mentioning for a different reason: there is almost always something going on. This is one of those places where you can easily walk in without a plan and still end up having a full evening.

They organise language exchange nights, pub quizzes, bingo and beer pong tournaments, so you can choose your activity depending on your mood. The beer pong night is especially good if you’re travelling with friends, but you can also meet people once you’re there. And if beer pong isn’t really your thing, the pub quiz is another easy way to get talking to people.

The quiz is in English too, which makes it particularly easy for international travellers. Basically, you don’t have to come here with a huge group. The activities give you something to talk about straight away.

And if you are competitive? Even better.

My tip: go on a night when there is an activity you actually like. A pub quiz is a great excuse to join another group and make friends without having to do the awkward “Can I sit with you?” conversation.

La Catrina – come for the quiz, stay for the people

If you’re the kind of person who loves a random quiz night, put La Catrina Café & Rock on your list.

This place has an English-language pub quiz, with questions about things like music, films, books, sports and pop culture. And here’s the best part: you don’t even have to arrive with your own team. If you come alone, they can put you into a team.

That makes it a really good option if you’re travelling alone or haven’t met many people in Valencia yet.

Imagine walking in knowing absolutely nobody and leaving two hours later arguing with your new teammates about who definitely knows the answer to a Harry Potter question. That’s pretty much exactly the kind of social night we’re talking about.

It is also a nice option if you’re not looking for a massive party. You can have a drink, play the quiz and chat with people without having to shout over loud club music.

And if your team wins, there are prizes and drinks involved, so there is at least a little motivation to take your general knowledge very seriously.

My tip: don’t worry if you’re terrible at quizzes. Being the person who knows one random fact nobody else knows can suddenly make you very popular.

Mamma Mia Karaoke – when you stop caring about your singing

Let’s be honest: karaoke is always more fun after you’ve had a drink.

Mamma Mia Karaoke is a great option if you want something a little more chaotic and social than sitting in a normal bar. The karaoke nights run late, so this is one to save for when your evening is already getting started.

And this is probably one of the easiest ways to meet people.

You don’t really need an introduction when someone is standing next to you singing Dancing Queen at full volume. You already have something to laugh about.

Even if you are usually the person who says “I am NOT singing”, karaoke has a funny way of changing that after a few drinks.

For international travellers, it is also a fun way to hear a mix of Spanish and international songs. You might not know everyone in the room, but once everyone is singing the same song, it doesn’t really matter.

My tip: choose a song that everyone knows. The less seriously you take your singing, the more fun the night becomes.

Beers & Travels – made for travellers

The name pretty much gives this one away.

Beers & Travels is a great option if you want a relaxed place where you can have a beer and meet other people. Located in the old town, it is especially handy if you’re already exploring El Carmen and want to stop somewhere for a drink.

The atmosphere is much more about travelling, drinking and talking than dressing up and trying to get into the fanciest place in the city.

And sometimes that is exactly what you want.

You can come here with friends, but it also works if you’re travelling alone. Bars with a relaxed atmosphere are usually much easier places to start a conversation than a packed nightclub.

Ask someone where they’re from. Ask how long they’ve been in Valencia. Ask where they’ve been travelling. Before you know it, you’ve got a whole conversation going.

And if you’re lucky, you might even end up with plans for the rest of the evening.

My tip: don’t just sit with your phone while you drink. If you’re travelling, actually use the opportunity to talk to people. You never know who you’ll meet.

What should you drink in Valencia?

Of course, choosing the right bar is only half of the experience. What you order matters too!

Agua de Valencia

The obvious choice for first-time visitors. This famous local cocktail combines cava with orange juice and spirits. Café de las Horas is one of the classic places associated with the drink.

Horchata

Not every Valencian drink has to contain alcohol. Horchata is a traditional Valencian drink made from tiger nuts and is especially popular as a refreshing option.

Local beer

Valencia has a growing craft beer scene, so Ruzafa is a good area to explore if you prefer something different from the usual lager.

Spanish wine

Order a glass of Spanish wine with tapas and take your time. Going out in Valencia is not always about rushing from one bar to another. Sometimes the best part is simply sitting on a terrace and watching the city around you.

Tips for international travelers going out in Valencia

Before heading out, there are a few things worth knowing.

1. Don’t start too early. Spanish nightlife generally starts later than many visitors expect. A quiet bar can suddenly become much busier later in the evening.
2. Explore by neighbourhood. Instead of travelling across Valencia between every drink, choose one area such as El Carmen or Ruzafa and walk between different bars.
3. Try local drinks. Ordering something you cannot easily find at home is part of travelling. Agua de Valencia is an obvious place to start.
4. Bring a little cash. Cards are widely accepted, but having some cash can still be useful for smaller bars or splitting drinks with friends.
5. Respect the neighbourhood. Valencia is a lively city, but people live in the areas where you are going out. Visit Valencia also reminds nightlife visitors to avoid shouting, drinking loudly or disturbing residents in the streets.
6. Don’t be afraid to go out alone. Valencia is a very social city, and areas such as Ruzafa and El Carmen make it easy to move between bars. If you are travelling solo and want to meet other people, a pub crawl can also be an easy way to do that.

So, where should you go?

The best bars in Valencia depend on what kind of night you are looking for.

For a classic Valencia experience, try Café de las Horas and order an Agua de Valencia. For music and a livelier atmosphere, check out Radio City. If craft beer is more your thing, explore Olhöps in Ruzafa. For a relaxed drink close to the sea, head towards La Fábrica de Hielo and the Marina.

And if you simply want to explore and see where the night takes you, start in El Carmen or Ruzafa. Both areas have plenty of options within walking distance, so you can easily turn one drink into an entire night.

The biggest advantage of Valencia nightlife is that you don’t have to choose just one experience. Start with tapas, have a cocktail, discover a small local bar, meet some other travelers and finish the night dancing. Whether you are here for a weekend, studying abroad or travelling around Spain, Valencia makes it surprisingly easy to create your own night.

Ready to explore the city after dark? Join a Valencia Pub Crawl and discover some of the city’s nightlife with other international travelers.