I've seen lots of people saying the city is dead after 8 or 9pm...but then I've seen some things saying that with the new Waterfront renovations, there are bars/pubs open late.

Has anyone been there recently that can comment?

Thanks,

Kevin

I suppose bars/pubs may be open late, but the question is are there any people in those.

I was there two years ago, and Valletta is like a ghost town at night. I don´t think that some renovation can change it so quickly.

It's been a couple of years but I did go to one wine bar that was pretty jumpin.' I think I was in there around 10:30, not so late, but the place was full at that point.

Trabuxu Wine Bar
No 1d. Strait Street, Valletta

Have fun!

Thanks both for your replies!

I live on Malta and Valletta is a lovely place to walk around at night with a good choice, and always improving, of restaurants and wine bars. The city,which was once rather deserted at night is coming into its own. For night life there is always the frenzy of Paceville a short bus ride away. We have recently eaten at Ambrosia in Archbishop's Street right by the palace were our parliament meets,not cheap but very good with an excellent chef patron. Should you need further on some specific eatery just post and I will ask my daughters who, as the Maltese saying literally translated states, seem to know where the devil left his slippers...which means every nook and entertainment cranny on the island!

Borbon, thanks much!

First, let me say that my wife and I are in our 40's. So we aren't looking for "clubs" as much as a bar (maybe with some live music, but maybe not) that is open past midnight.

So, given that, should we stay in Valletta or in St. Julians? We would like to stay in Valletta to be central for the busses, but we want someplace to sit around and hang out past 9pm

How late do the busses run between Paceville and Valletta?

Also, since you live on Malta, could I trouble you with another few questions?

How easy is it to go to Gozo and see the Inland Sea on your own? We would prefer to do this w/o a tour.

Also, would we need a car to do the above? Is Gozo just as easy as Malta to navigate with busses?

Thanks in advance.

Kevin

Kevin, I stayed for one week in St. Julian's in a great apartment (can post the link if you would like.) I can tell you that it was a bit of a trek to always have to change buses in Valletta. In fact I got rather sick of the bus! It wasn't so much the bus to Valletta, but the changing of the bus to go anywhere else.

But I really enjoyed St. Julians, right on our street there were all kinds of restaurants and we had a nice view of the bay from our place. There were all kinds of pubs around too.

I definitely think St. Julians is more happening at night than Valletta. But like I said it has been two years since I have been there.

I wrote a blog of my time in Malta - I will email the link to you if you want.

I stayed in Valletta in 2004. I'm in my 30s but hate the nightclub scene so never considered staying anywhere but Valletta. It is beautiful and we loved walking the streets in the evening. Every night after dinner, my husband and I stopped in a little bar near the British Hotel where they gave us free snacks. I think it's fair to say there are surely more bars now.
Stay over on Gozo if you can. As a day trip it's too long for my taste, but it can certainly be done.
good luck!

rialtogrl, thanks much. Please email me the link to your blog. I agree about the bus changing which is why I want to stay in Valletta...I just want to be able to get a drink after 10pm

Yorkshire, thanks for the comments. We are actually in the process of figuring out if we want to spend a couple of days in Gozo or go to Sicily for the day.

Kevin

The St Patrick's Hotel on the beach at Xlendi Bay is our favourite slightly out of the way place to stay. We were there in March and the charge for 2 nights was just over Lm50 for 2 for a room overlooking the beach, including a continental or english breakfast. June might be a bit more expensive. Speak to Celestina at reception. The walk over the rugged cliffs to the left of the bay over to the ancient watch tower is just lovely and the hotel's pasta marinara served just a metre from the water's edge never disappoints. Let them know if you like your pasta al dente.
Yorkshire reminded me of the British Hotel where you can have a lunch of typical Maltese fare on the balcony overlooking the majestic Grand Harbour..a favourite with the locals so it pays to book as the balcony is narrowish and only accomodates one layer of tables. The other day I came across a posting in Fodors of a place in Valletta with two apartments for rent one overlooking the Harbour...will try to find it later. Easter Lunch calling!

Kevin, its www.vallettastudios.com.

Borbon, thanks...that is actually the first place I tried They have no availability. Actually, all of the hotels in Valletta were sold out for when we are going!

We ended up getting the Bayview in Sliema. We actually got an amazing price...$105 for 5 nights!

Thanks again all for your comments.

Kevin

Great Kevin, youngest daughter says it has just been refurbished. Have a great holiday and travel safely.

Hey I'm Maltese too!
I'd recommend renting a car for the day in Gozo ans buses observe siesta time. Gozo is also served by fewer buses. It is probably to get around than Malta - as less traffic

Yes, I have also been to Valletta lately and I visited Ta Lukardu Wine Bar which is on Republic Street further down from Parliament. The place was quite busy and they have a good choice of wine. We had some nibbles and my wife had a Gozo ftira which is like a pizza which she really enjoyed. Guess will be visiting again this place in the future... both for the wine, food and atmospher!