dedlaw

We're planning a trip with our kids, mid to late 20s. As between Madrid and Barcelona, does it make much difference for them as far as going out at night after dinner? Neither is into the wild party scene, but both would enjoy going to a bar for a drink where there are other young adults, music, etc.

IMDonehere

I am not sure where you heard that. But the club life doesn't start until 1 AM or so. I never figured out when the young people slept.

Take a look at Time Out for both cities and you'll get a better idea.

dedlaw

Not sure what you mean, where I heard what? But I know that night life is very late at night. I also know what when I was in Barcelona a couple of years ago, at 10 p.m. I saw lots of young adults out and about -- maybe not clubbing yet, but out.

greg

I thought 10pm was children's hour

Christina

I think both cities have plenty of night life, if that's the question. Clubs don't start until about 1 am, but bars are certainly open and that shouldn't be a problem. They are generally open from 7 or 8 pm onwards (as some people have a drink before dinner).

I'm not an expert on 20s nightlife, but I don't know of any difference in the 2 cities in the way you are asking. Except Barcelona seems to be more Mediterranean, of course, and so there are more open-air cafes, it seems to me. SO sitting around in a cafe on the sidewalk people watching may be better in Barcelona, but on the other hand, tapas bars are inside, anyway. But after dinner, tapas bars probably wont' be right.

Here is a clip from some online guide I found with a few bar ideas that sound they might work for 20s:


<<La Oveja Negra
The “black sheep” bar is designed like a classic beer hall. It is a favourite bar for students, so the atmosphere is noisy, young and friendly and the drinks are great value. Young people order jugs of cheap sangria, play pool at a beer-stained pool table and just meet and chat with friends. There will almost certainly be a queue at the foodball table, so that's not a bad place to start.
Address: Sitges 5
Subway: Catalunya (L1; L3)
El Born

Princesa 23
A nice and cosy bar, ideal to meet people from all over the world. Drinks are cheap, especially during the daily happy hour. You can get cocktails from 3 € !!
Address: c/Princessa, 23
Subway: Jaume I (L4)
Opening hours: daily 11.00 until 03.00 h
Website: www.princesa23.com.es

Miramelindo
Cosy bar with comfortable chairs, pleasant half-light and quiet music. Very relaxed atmosphere. Perfect to have a conversation and enjoy one of the many cocktails on the menu. Usually packed on weekends.
Address: Passeig del Born, 15
Subway: Jaume I (L4)
Opening hours: Monday until Thursday: 20.00 – 02.30 h,
Friday until Saturday: 20.00 – 03.00 h>>

That first name has 3 bars in Barcelona, I think they spelled it wrong, this is the website. Looks like a sports bar
http://www.ovellanegrabcn.com/?lang=en

Egbert

They're both fantastic night life towns. They know how to party and it can last all night. After 1 the focus shifts to discotecas.

Robert2533

People in Barcelona and Madrid, and that includes the 20 somethings, don't hang out in bars for more then one or two drinks (wine or beer) before moving on to the next place. It's more pronounced in Madrid then Barcelona, but one can hardly tell the difference. And there is always food envolved with every drink, unlike at home, assuming you're from the States.

Note that 10:00 pm is about the normal time people in Madrid and Barcelona start to go out for dinner. You must have been dining much earlier.

Nightclubbing in Spain is completely different. You may want to take a look at Maribe's Guides to Madrid and Barcelona to get a better idea.

nytraveler

At 10 pm they were probably going for dinner. After dinner they would go to a club - midnight or 1 am. When in Madrid we heard the kids coming home from clubbing - singing in the streets at 5 and 6 am.

lincasanova

after midnight things pick up.. otherwise kids find it boring.. no one is anywhere until about 1 a.m.

kybourbon

Yes, 10 pm is more dinner time. The bars started as the subway was finishing for the night (or did when my daughter was living in Madrid a few years ago). They stay at the bars until the subway starts running again early morning.

kimhe

Excellent nightlife in both Barcelona and Madrid. Madrid is especially known for having a fabulous nightlife scene, and the madrileños are called "los gatos" (the cats) for a reason.

But medieval El Born in Barcelona would perhaps be exactly what they're looking for. Dozens of bars with lots of young people from 7-8pm long into the night in and around vibrant Passeig de Gracia. A great variety of places from small and large bars, tapas bars, cafes, terraces, dance clubs to late night restaurants where it's not uncommon to see groups of young people coming in to have a serious dinner at 1am. http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

Some bar examples within just a few meters, open til 3-4am:

Great and inventuve drinks in small and friendly Cactus: http://www.cactusbar.cat/benvinguts.php?lang=4

Excellent mojitos at Mamaine: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Catalonia.html

Fun and pretty wild Barroc: http://www.barroc-cafe.com/en/

Small Berimbau: http://www.yelp.com/biz/berimbau-barcelona

Emblematic and large Miramelindo: http://www.barmiramelindobcn.com/?lang=en

Old El Born bar: http://www.elbornbar.neositios.com/
Video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0qV8n0T_7w

My favourite from last visit this March is laid-back Borneo, a bit more adult, often live music: http://www.barborneo.com/

A bit more upscale nightlife and very local atmosphere in Carrer Arribau in the Eixample district close to the university from 1450. http://suitelife.com/2011/02/28/arib...treet-profile/