The 10 best gay bars in Barcelona

Named after the iconic trans actress from Andy Warhol’s Factory, this bar offers a variety of different experiences. Hungry? Much on a toasty ‘bikini darling’. Want to have a more chill night? Relax on a plush sofa and enjoy a drag show, circus act or burlesque performance. In the mood to dance? Head to the Wild Room for the queer disco of your dreams. No matter what you do, you’re guaranteed a night of otherworldly fun with folks who are just as interesting as the art on the walls. 

Bit by bit, C/Carretas has grown into a local bubble with a personality all its own. This street and its charming variety of personalities are complemented by Casa de la Pradera, a friendly and relaxed gay bar with an ever-revolving cast of characters. Along with good beer and a free tapa with every drink, the place adds a hearty dose of freshness and queer enthusiasm to an already vibrant neighbourhood. 

Baptised with the name of a famous sex worker from 19th century Red Light District, Madame Jasmine is an ode to horror vacui and decorative extravagance, as well as a meeting point for some of the most mythical and rogue inhabitants of the city. Self-dubbed as The Genderfuck House, Madame Jasmine embraces mamarracheo and monstrosity as an act of freedom, while hosting some of the wildest parties in the city. 

El Cangrejo (the crab) is known for 80s nights and drag shows, and if you remember the 80s and have ever seen a drag show, you'll know it can be quite hard to tell the difference. Either way, if you're looking for an alternative to the ultra-straight or too-techno, El Cangrejo is the spot. 

True fans will get the reference embedded in this café’s name, but for the uninitiated, we’ll help you out. ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ is the full title of the 1994 Australian dramedy about three drag queens and their road-trip adventures. Priscilla Cafe pays homage to the film with a relaxed environment and unfussy menu, making it the perfect place to kick back like a queen in the heart of the Eixample.

Punto BCN is a Gaixample staple and the first gay bar in town. It’s fiercely unstylish but friendly and down to earth. It’s also one of the few places where you’ll find anybody early on. Tables on the mezzanine give a good view of the crowd, so you can take your pick before the object of your affections heads off into the night.

Don't say drag... say Strass! Because this spot, also located in the Gaixample area, specifically on Villarroel with Diputació, you can enjoy a drag show every single night from 11:30pm. The shows feature both established artists from the scene and up-and-coming talents, all in a hilarious atmosphere where humor rules. On Sundays they do Sunday Bingo, where you can win up to €300 euros in prizes. What more could you ask for?

We couldn't miss out on a great spot for bears on this list, and Honey Furry Bar is undoubtedly one of the most fun and welcoming in the city. From 6pm every day, this spot is pretty much full, and there's cocktails, good beer, nachos, hot dogs and more. Head there for the happy hour, 9-11pm on Thursdays. 

When Albert Villaplana and Albert Macaya (the Alberts, as they’re endearingly called) decided to make La Federica their own, they knew they would have to make their mark on the emblematic Barcelona hotspot. That they did, with pastel, ’70s-themed furniture, brightly hued shirts and fanciful themed parties. If their goal was to build a queer haven in the middle of Poble-sec, the Alberts are well on their way.