Party and Nightlife in Valencia

Like most Spanish cities, Valencia has a vibrant and exhilarating nightlife. You can choose from a selection of different bars and restaurants according to yor lifestyle and tastes.  People in Valencia party form Monday to Sunday, meaning that as well as enjoying a lovely cultural experience, you will also have the chance to enjoy a wonderful night out.  Nightlife in Valencia is not concentrated in a single place; there are several different zones, each offering their own unique style of music and atmosphere, meaning that there is something here for everyone.

If you are looking for an alternative place, you should go to Carmen, the oldest, most curious and bohemian area of the town.  Here you are guaranteed to find all sorts of bars and music: from punk bars to underground trance mix, latino tunes and caribbean heat. This is really a melting pot of cultures – people of European, Arab, African and Asian origin come together to create a mix of personalities and political tendancies that ensures there is never a dull moment… It is said that this is the zone in which “politics come to night-life”: right and left wing points of view are debated over a drinks and tapas.

All the most interesting bars and place in Carmen are the ones place in the area from Plaza de Ayuntamiento up. Even if Calle Caballeros is considered the main strip, remember that most Carmen nightlife is concentrated in the back streets of this Arabic neighbourhood.

The Carmen zone offers mainly pubs, lounges and bars, which are not suitable for dancing and close at two o’clock, due to restrictions estabilished by government. It has to be said that this zone does not have much to offer after 4 am -  Calcutta and Venial are open until late, but that’s about it. 

Canovas  is a lot more mainstream than Carmen. It is a vibrant and lively area located very close to the centre.  It is very compact - most places are located on the main street (Calle serranos), although there are also a few scattered between Gran via Marques del Turia and avenida del Reino de Valencia.  The bars and discos in Canova have pros and cons: they are less varied than those in the Carmen area, but the they close later (4 am) and don’t charge an entrance fee.  The music is generally mainstream, ranging from pop (especially Latin pop) to hip hop, R&B and and commercial dance tracks.

Canovas is popular with people wanting to relax and chill out after a week at work.  The average age is between 20 and 43, even if the bars along the main drag are mainly populated by youngsters (The Euro Bars for instance).  However, Canovas also has some of the most classiest places in Valencia, such as Pub Classic, Rompeolas or Suso's.

Canovas nightlife is predominantly Spanish.  Some bars only play Spanish pop music, making them less popular among tourists and more popular with the locals.  However, other places can be fairly cosmopolitan.   

There is also an area especially dedicated to students, Pz Cedro / Honduras, which is like a mini-version of Carmen. The difference is that it is more compact, and has a narrower variety of choice, the majority of music being indie / rock.  It is also much cheaper and has a more relaxed atmosphere.

This area is the ultimate student nightlife of Valencia. If you like student bars (or are a student yourself), you will enjoy it here.

The Avenida Blasco Ibanez is the longest street in the city and the nightlife here is divided into two areas - Avenida Aragon and Pz Cedro and Pz Honduras.  The Aragon area is more of a mainstrean hub, while the Pz Cedro / Honduras has an alternative feel. Since the students are the main customers, this area is alive pretty much every day of the week, so much so that Studio is known as the place to find a party on a Monday.

Thursdays is a traditional University night with most venues putting on more rock. Wednesday is the Erasmus night in a few venues - R&N and hip-hop.

Be aware that the nightlife here is fairly seasonal. It depends a lot on the university timetable.  In July and August it is less busy, as well as in January and the beginning of February, May and the beginning of June, when the students are preparing for exams.

This area is the cheapest in town, since students can’t afford to spend too much . Most places will serve a beer at 2€ and a soft drink and mixer at 5€ or less. In addition there are various drinks promotions that make prices even more attractive.