Party in Palma
Lively nightlife puts this city on the map as capital of cool
Bursting with life 365 days of the year, Majorca’s capital offers something for everyone. Whether you’re after a quiet and intimate drink with your better half; craving a crazy night out with your besties; or looking to celebrate a special occasion, you’ll easily find it all in this cosmopolitan city.
Palma’s local Mallorquins take great pride in their regular social activities, with every and any day giving a cause for celebration. Merely wandering around the city’s historic streets will have you stumbling into one of the many local haunts… often conveniently open seven days a week!
Fuelled by its bustling tourism industry, if you enjoy a more international crowd, you’ll find plenty of expats, visiting Europeans and more recently Americans since Palma’s airport now flies directly to New York. Outside of the main tourist season, Palma’s resident yacht crew help to maintain a steady flow of business throughout the winter. That said, this city doesn’t hibernate. Read our article on why you should visit Palma outside of the summer months.
Sunset & early evening
If your ultimate vibe is a thirst quenching sundowner from a luxurious beach club sunbed, Assaona or Puro Beach should be on your hit list. Anima Beach’s seafront location in front of the Avingudes is a perfect halfway stop, when cycling along the coastal path towards Arenal with beautiful views of Palma Bay. Head west of Palma city to the pretentious area of Costa d’en Blanes to visit UM Beach House to experience their Bali beds complete with sea view, swimming pool and a huge terrace.
Pre-dinner cocktails are best taken at one of Palma’s many rooftop bars showcasing the harbour’s exceptional vistas. Hostal Cuba's 'Sky Bar' or Sky Nudos on marina Moll Vell offer luxurious feels and fantastic scenery overlooking Palma Port. If you’re looking for any washed up ‘Below Deck’ types, you’ll likely find them at Ventura just above the Paseo Maritimo.
Late nights
Regardless of whether you’re celebrating your A-level results or embracing retirement, when visiting Mallorca there are plenty of late-night options in which to extend your evening. A real variety of clientele can be found in the many bars open until the early hours of the morning.
Santa Catalina (the trendy food district of Palma) remains a renowned bar-hopping hotspot for either pre or post dinner drinks. You’ll find a real mix of locals, yachties and expats overflowing into the streets surrounding the neighbouring establishments, especially outside LAB Cocktail bar, Havanna Bar and Bar Cuba (all located within 50m each other). Santa Catalina is home to several bars sporting quirky décor and innovative drinks menus, with favourites of ours being Aga Bar; Ventuno; Clandestino Cocktail club; and The Library STFU.
Palma’s Old Town offers more sophisticated watering holes, like the longstanding El Neo Gastro Bar located just off La Llotja square, or the illustrious Bar Abaco set in a beautiful courtyard setting. Many of the bougie boutique hotels offer classy cocktail lounges or rooftop terraces, but when roaming Palma’s postcard-pretty medieval streets, make sure you pay visits to Lili’s Brunch and Cocktails, Bar Nicolas in Placa del Mercat, After Landing Cocktail Art
Naturally, everything tends to stay open later during the summer months, but if you’re on the hunt for an all-night rave, then Bar Cuba and Kaelum Club are guaranteed party spots. Sabotage Bar offers a Saturday afternoon tardeo session, along with superb views over Palma’s marina. The locals will gladly don their best glad rags in aid of a regular Saturday night, so don’t be afraid to strap those high heels on!
If you’re keen on some jazz music or swing dancing, Galactic Club is your spot! Brooklyn Club just behind Santa Catalina’s market, is an underground House and Techno hub, rivalling the neighbouring techno club Es Moli located in an iconic, antique windmill. Sala Luna remains a longstanding titan of Palma’s nightlife, found up a long winding street leading to a traditional Spanish plaza filled with orange trees, Placa del Vapor.
Palma’s Paseo Maritimo offers a mile-long stretch of fun, lively and more casual venues open throughout most of Majorca’s winter too.
Wine bars
If sipping on sophisticated grapes is more your style, Palma possesses some fabulous venues for any self-proclaimed sommeliers. Wineing Bar offers a rustic ambience with the modern benefit of ‘tasting cards’, allowing you to sample a huge variety of the ‘usual’ and ‘less-usual’ wines. 13% Restaurant also offers an extensive wine list, with 120 national wines available from Spain alone! Santa Catalina’s Wine Industry wine bar presents a more international selection, whilst La Viniloteca serves a great selection of natural wines next to old-school vinyl records. For beautiful Mallorcan wines, visit locally owned Vinostrum - La Fabrica on Calle de La Fabrica in Santa Catalina.
Live music
Whether you’re in the mood for soulful tunes, upbeat rhythms, or something a bit more eclectic, Palma caters to everybody's musical needs.
Within close proximity to each other, you’ll easily find three prominent sports and live music bars along the Paseo Maritimo then Hogans is our favourite choice, often filled with live pop/rock bands and an enthusiastic audience until around 5am.
Smaller bars like Cafe Lisboa along Sant Magi, or La Llonja’s Agua Bar (hosting Jazz and Rock musicians or open-mic on Sunday nights) are great for more intimate sessions with close friends.
If you’re in need of an all-time showstopping performance to impress, for any impressive, extra-special and memorable events, Playa de Palma’s Tabana stands as a cultural epicentre, combining exceptional dining with live Spanish music. Alternatively, Ibiza-born Lio performs a jaw-droppingly sexy and modern cabaret show, located on Palma’s Paseo Maritimo.
Gay Bars & Clubs
With most of its gay bars, cafes and clubs previously located in the Gomila district, Palma now presents a prominent gay scene across several parts of the city.
Bar Michel is well known for being a friendly hotspot, with an unbeatable atmosphere, great music, and homemade food. Similar to Bar Michel, Bar Flexas is traditionally Spanish in design yet wonderfully gay in nature, attracting locals and tourists alike. Having injected Mallorca’s LGBTQ community with colour since 2016. The2 remains one of Palma’s most popular gay pubs, hosting superb music sets, drag shows and a very good-looking crowd!
Don’t miss our list of Mallorca’s summer party hotspots for the scoop on where to head for the island’s biggest summer events.
For more bars, restaurants, beach clubs and nightclubs then check out our listings.
