It's safe to say that Barcelona is an LGBTQ+ haven. The Catalan capital, much like most of Spain, has always been pretty liberated and out there. Seeing two people of the same sex kissing in public is no longer shocking in the city. And nowadays, there are tons of amazing places where members of the community can hang out, meet new people, live their lives the way to want to, and more. From Mar Bella beach to Priscilla Café, here are some spots you simply have to visit when you're gay in Barcelona!
Mar Bella Beach
Let's start the list with a beach! There are a lot of gay-friendly beaches throughout Spain and the most famous here in Barcelona is Mar Bella Beach. Perhaps it's because this coast also doubles as a nudist beach. It's common to see naked people here who bare it all for the whole world to see. And because of this, it's become a popular spot in gay Spain for a little cruising, hooking up, and the like. Though you can't do sexual and other obscene acts out on the public beach. If you want to get more intimate, you'd do well to retreat to a hidden corner or go back to your
luxury home.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Axel Hotel
Did you know that gay hotels are actually pretty common in gay Spain and the rest of Europe? Although these luxury accommodations still welcome everyone, they specifically cater to the LGBTQ+ community. Take Axel Hotel in Barcelona, for instance. Many consider it the main gay hotel in the Catalan capital. It's an adults-only establishment where members of the community can feel safe, relax, get pampered, and more. Its close proximity to gay bars is also a huge plus. You can expect many guests to go out as often as they can. In fact, a rooftop lounge that's practically a gay bar in its own right is perched atop the hotel. What's not to love?
Source: Axel Hotel
Night Barcelona
Speaking of gay nightlife hotspots, let's talk about the must-see gay bars and clubs in Barcelona. First up, there's Night Barcelona, a lively gay bar on Carrer de la Diputació. Since it's located along the street, it's pretty easy to spot and reach via public transport. As a popular hangout among the city's LGBTQ+ community, you can expect a lot of dancing, great DJ sets, and even a few drag shows too. Also, it's better to visit the place when you're single since there's a good chance you might meet your next fling here!
Source: Night Barcelona Facebook Page
Priscilla Café
Are you into Drag Race España? Or any other RuPaul's Drag Race franchise, for that matter? Then go to Priscilla Café! The premiere drag bar on C. del Consell de Cent, it's one of the best places to watch an awesome drag show. Both local and international drag queens perform here, putting on showstopping lip-sync performances and letting the people laugh out loud with their hilarious comedy. And yes, although it mostly serves as a drag bar, you can still get a good
cup of coffee here too! Sounds like a great place, doesn't it?
Source: Priscilla Café Facebook Page
Believe Club
Believe Club on Carrer de Balmes is also a great place to watch excellent drag shows. And the drag queens here don't just go up on stage to lip-sync and/or do comedy. When the party starts, you can bet your butt that they'll be dancing on the floor right there with you! Believe Club is also one of the best nightclubs in Barcelona; practically in all of gay Spain too! The energy here remains extremely high all night long, thanks to the great EDM sets and, at times, vintage pop music too! What's not to love?
Source: Believe Club
When you're gay in Barcelona, there are many places you can hang out and live out your true self! They range from a gay-friendly beach to a legendary nightclub that features stellar drag shows! Not to mention a whole hotel that specifically caters to the LGBTQ+ community.
