Malaga is home to plenty to do during the day, but sundown signals a whole new set of opportunities for fun in the city. The local nightlife is thrilling whether you're looking for bars, live music or nightclubs to visit.

The sheer diversity of opportunities available makes this city notably welcoming to travellers looking for fun after dark. You'll find upbeat establishments that are high-energy and thrilling, but you can also enjoy more laid-back atmospheres that let you relax after a day out exploring the city's best features. Check out some of the best bars, live music and nightclubs in Malaga.

  • 1

    Velvet Club Málaga

    The resurrected pub and music venue

    Velvet Club Málaga
    • Nightlife

    Velvet Club Málaga is a popular establishment that features standard pub fare and fun live music. It originally functioned as a nightclub for some years before being shut down. It reopened with more of a pub vibe and continues today to be the phoenix that rose from the ashes to offer something great.

    When you visit this establishment, you'll be able to get a variety of drinks from the bar, but the primary attraction is the stage. Performers of many genres frequent this club, so check their programme to see if something to your tastes is playing during your time in Malaga. It's located just north of the Centro Historico district.

    Location: C. Convalecientes, 11, 29008 Málaga, Spain

    Open: Thursday from 11 pm to 3 am, Friday–Saturday from 11 pm to 4 am (closed Sunday–Wednesday)

    Phone: +34 644 33 10 90

    Map
  • 2

    Theatro Club Málaga

    Enjoy a laid-back LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere

    Theatro Club Málaga
    • Nightlife

    Theatro Club Málaga is a casual bar known for its LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere, and you'll find opportunities for relaxation and partying depending on your taste. There's plenty of room here to sit back and enjoy a drink with your friends, but you can still get up and dance if you like.

    The bar itself is quite laid back, but things can get rowdy during certain events, such as concerts and disco nights. The live performances here can vary quite a bit, with some nights even offering play productions. See it all for yourself just north of Centro Historico.

    Location: C. Lazcano, 5, 29008 Málaga, Spain

    Open: Sunday–Thursday from 10 pm to 6 am, Friday–Saturday from 10 pm to 7 am

    Phone: +34 670 09 87 49

    Map
  • 3

    El Jardin

    Dinner and a show make for a fabulous night out

    El Jardin
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    El Jardin is a popular local restaurant in a historical building where you can enjoy a masterfully prepared dinner and, on some nights, live entertainment as well. The cuisine here is stunning, with traditional Cordoban and Malagan food on offer, and you can book private rooms if you like.

    While the restaurant is open every day of the week, live music is typically only featured on the weekends. Additionally, you'll find a cafe area here if you're looking for something quick and more laid back than the full restaurant experience. It's located in the northern Centro district.

    Location: C. Cañón, 1, 29015 Málaga, Spain

    Open: Hours may vary

    Phone: +34 952 22 04 19

    Map

    photo by Adrian Scottow (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 4

    Cal y Canto

    Where the art is served

    Cal y Canto
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    Cal y Canto is a flamenco restaurant that lets you enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine while seeing an authentic flamenco performance. Live flamenco dancing is a popular pastime, and you'll find pristine attention to detail and tradition here in regards to both the food and the performance.

    In terms of gastronomy, you'll find some of the best Mediterranean cuisine in the city and a wide selection of drinks as well. Of course, you won't want to miss out on the dances, and live performances are held regularly. You'll find it all right in the Centro Historico district.

    Location: Calle Arquitecto Blanco Soler, 3, 29005 Málaga, Spain

    Phone: +34 952 22 81 03

    Map
  • 5

    Vino Mio

    Savoury Mediterranean cuisine with an international twist

    Vino Mio
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    Vino Mio is a restaurant and cultural space where you can taste iconic cuisine and see a variety of live performances. Live music is virtually standard here, and the lineup changes regularly, allowing you to see flamenco as well as other exhibitions.

    When it comes to the food, this restaurant offers some of the best. While it has a distinct Mediterranean flair and style, the chefs take a lot of influences from other areas, like Australia, South Africa, Morocco and Indonesia. You can try it all out for yourself just northeast of Centro Historico.

    Location: Pl. de Jerónimo Cuervo, 2, 29012 Málaga, Spain

    Open: Wednesday–Thursday from 7 pm to midnight, Friday–Sunday from 1 pm to midnight (closed Monday–Tuesday)

    Phone: +34 952 60 90 93

    Map

    photo by rey perezoso (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 6

    ZZ Pub

    Visit a pub with a universal familiarity

    ZZ Pub
    • Nightlife

    ZZ Pub is an establishment that makes it easy to find comfort, as it's Malaga's version of the pub in every city that's down-to-earth and welcoming. In this dive bar, you'll find a diverse menu offering brews and favourites suitable for all tastes, all served in the same kind of atmosphere that you'd likely find in your favourite pub back home.

    To liven the place up, this pub frequently hosts live performances. Nothing is generally too rowdy, but you'll find plenty of musical artists that can electrify the vibe for a fun evening. You can experience this pub around Plaza del Teatro, just north of the city centre.

    Location: C. Tejón y Rodríguez, 6, 29008 Málaga, Spain

    Map
  • 7

    Antigua Casa Guardia

    A small and traditional bar with a royal warrant

    Antigua Casa Guardia
    • History
    • Nightlife

    Antigua Casa Guardia is one of the most iconic bars in the city and features a traditional experience and rich history you can enjoy among its delicious brews. The bar dates back to 1840, and it was eventually given a royal warrant from Queen Isabel II to provide wine.

    Here, you'll find a long bar that you're expected to stand at if you're looking to enjoy some drinks with friends. The drinks are served in simple glasses, and the waiters still chalk up bills onto the bar top like they did decades upon decades ago. Experience it all for yourself on the west side of the Centro district.

    Location: Alameda Principal, 18, 29005 Málaga, Spain

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 10.30 am to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 10.30 am to 10.45 pm, Sunday from 10.30 am to 3 pm

    Phone: +34 952 21 46 80

    Map

    photo by Aapo Haapanen (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 8

    Sala Gold

    Dance the night away in a tech-savvy club

    Sala Gold
    • Nightlife

    Sala Gold offers the quintessential nightclub experience in Malaga, including everything you need for drinks, dancing and music using the latest tech. While the traditional experience here is plenty of fun in its own right, you'll also find 4 reserved areas for bottles as well as 3 different VIP areas if you're feeling particularly fancy.

    The technology used here is state-of-the-art and includes LED lights that intelligently respond to the music, lighting robots and confetti canyons. The LED screens and video wall add even further to the advanced atmosphere of the place, making you feel as if you're in the club of the future. It's all located north of Centro Historical and east of La Goleta.

    Location: C. Luis de Velázquez, 5, 29008 Málaga, Spain

    Open: Sunday–Thursday from 10 pm to 6 am, Friday–Saturday from 10 pm to 7 am

    Phone: +34 670 09 87 49

    Map
  • 9

    Bambu Music & Drinks

    Embrace an intimate nightclub experience

    Bambu Music & Drinks
    • Nightlife

    Bambu Music & Drinks is an interesting nightclub that's modest in size and has much to offer those looking for a simple and intimate clubbing experience. The club itself is relatively small, and they always make sure it doesn't get too crowded. That means it's easy to share a meaningful experience with your friends.

    The decor and atmosphere here are quite unique and varied compared to a lot of other places. True enough to the name, you'll find a lot of bamboo, yet it also has a Rococo design that's notably opulent and fancy. Even with all that, the overall atmosphere is still positively Spanish and light-hearted. You'll find it all on the north side of Centro Historico.

    Location: C. Sta. Lucía, 11, 29008 Málaga, Spain

    Open: Monday–Wednesday from 8 pm to 3.30 am, Thursday from 7 pm to 3.30 am, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 4.30 am, Sunday from 5 pm to 3.30 am

    Phone: +34 653 20 92 43

    Map
  • 10

    Clarence Jazz Club

    Smooth jazz and a classic interior

    Clarence Jazz Club
    • Nightlife

    Clarence Jazz Club is one of the best places in the area to enjoy live jazz, with plenty of performances held in a retro and authentic atmosphere. The decor here embodies the New York style and offers an authentic experience for the genre.

    Performers at this club vary quite a bit, with more than 200 artists a year playing shows on its stage. You'll find enough seating inside for 70 people, though even more can enjoy the show standing. While numerous touring artists make their way through, the club has a house band with jam sessions every week. It's located in Torremolinos, a few miles southwest of the city centre.

    Location: C. Danza Invisible, 8, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga, Spain

    Open: Thursday from 8 pm to 2 am, Friday–Saturday fromn 8 pm to 3 am, Sunday from 5 pm to 10 pm (closed Monday–Wednesday)

    Phone: +34 951 91 80 87

    Map