The Maltese love to party. The tiny island nation is packed full of great bars and clubs, for all kinds of partygoers. No wonder that Malta’s nightlife is famous across Europe and for good reason: You can enjoy a chilled glass of local wine while listening to buskers in the capital Valletta, or head up to the infamous Paceville for a night that will last till the first rays of the morning sun. If anything, there’s almost too much choice packed into the archipelago.
Malta Pub’s
Valletta
Although there are innumerable trendy spots in all over the island, the capital of Valletta is a great place to start your Malta nightlife adventure. There are numerous great venues spread throughout this tiny city offering a more elegant experience than many of the other big nightlife areas. Strolling along the waterfront is a great way to soak in the atmosphere, and there are a lot of bars and restaurants here for you not enjoy.
The area around Straight Street (which was once the red-light district filled with sailors bars)is the liveliest.
Malta’s long association with England also means that the unique English pub vibe get recreated here great authenticity. If you want a proper pub, then we’d recommend The Queen Victoria City Pub, or the aptly named The Pub, both of which pour great pints and offer classic pub grub.
Queen Victoria City Pub
Trabuxu Wine Bar is a favourite in the city offering a more Mediterranean fare to be enjoyed with the great Maltese weather. Housed in a four-century old stone cellar, they have a wide selection of local and international wines, and delicious food platters to soak it all up with. Another awesome spot, which also has exceptional live music is the Bridge Bar. If you are keen to visit Bridge Bar, bear in mind it’s under a sign that says ‘Borg’s Bakers’ – a little quirk thanks to building preservation concerns.
The Bridge Bar
Bugibba and Qawra/St Paul’s Bay
A thirty-minute drive north of the capital is the St Paul’s Bay area, home to Bugibba and Qawra, two bay neighbourhoods with loads of unique little bars, each offering up something special. Bugibba an English tourist hotspot, in particular has whole host of British-style pubs that serve ice-cold pints that really hit the spot in the heat. Fat Harry’s Pub is a favourite – running for over thirty-five years now with phenomenal service and friendly atmosphere, this laidback establishment doesn’t take itself too seriously. Another local favourite is Whyte Harte Bar. A little out the way (as in, a five-minute walk from the busiest parts of town) it has cheap drinks, great service, and pool tables.
Fat Harry’s Bar
Just a short trip from Bugibba is Qawra, which is home to The Alex Bar. Although it has a chic décor and a large wine selection, the service is friendly and it’s a reasonably priced place to start your Malta nightlife journey. If you’d prefer something really laid-back and beachy on your trip to the island nation, Ta Fra Ben Reggae bar is the perfect spot to unwind with relaxing beats and delicious cocktails.
Alex Bar
Malta Clubs
Paceville
When it comes to Malta nightlife, Paceville is the place to be. This little section of the island is home to more pubs, bars, and clubs than anywhere else on the Mediterranean landmass, and while you can start your night drinking in some great little establishments like The Dubliner , a welcoming Irish pub and eatery and Chalice Bar & Lounge, on the outskirts of Paceville which caters for young professionals and a more mature crowd, it’s really the clubbing scene here that brings people out.
Chalice Bar and lounge
The Network is one of the most popular clubs in this area of Malta. They tend to focus on events instead of standard clubbing nights. The Network is a bar and restaurant until around eleven in the evening, when the party really starts. Night themes include Afrobeat, 80’s classics, and even karaoke if you’re lucky (or unlucky) enough to be there at the right time.
If you’re keen to go to one of the most popular and stylish nightclubs, then Shadow Club is where you should head. Filled with stylish people on the weekend and in summer, all listening and dancing to the latest mix of house music on the dance floor. Here the crowd is a younger one, meaning the vibe is one of boundless energy – helped by the fact it’s usually free entry.
If you want the premium Malta nightlife experience, then Sky Club is the place to go. One of the largest indoor venues in Malta, it has a capacity of almost 3,500 and a sound system that wouldn’t be out of place in somewhere like Ibiza.
Sky Club
Outdoor/Seasonal Clubs
Uno Malta is located in Ta’ Qali Crafts Village and is the biggest club on the island, with a capacity of 4,000. The atmosphere created at UNO is unique, thanks to the joint energy of thousands of fellow party goers. Apart from the main party area with six large fully stocked bars, there are an alternative 2 open air space called Treehaus and Roots, as well as an alternative indoor venue called Heart.
Uno Malta
If you want a really unique experience that not many tourists have, then head to the sleepy Gozo for a party at La Grotta. This phenomenal club is the antithesis to the rest of the lazy island, but that means it’s a bit of a hidden gem. On a night out here, you’ll get to rub shoulders with real locals and see how the Maltese let loose.
Most Malta clubs are open throughout the year, but some of the outdoor ones are seasonal, opening around late Spring until early Autumn. The biggest of these is Gianpula Village. The outdoor venue is actually eleven different ones rolled into one big space, and has been operating as a clubbing mecca for nearly forty years. There’s plenty of night buses and other forms of transport to and from the spot, which is right in the heart of the island.
Want to enjoy even more of Malta’s party scene? Check out the island’s best festivals.
