The Maltese love to party. Malta nightlife is famous across Europe and for good reason: the tiny island nation is packed full of great bars and clubs, for all kinds of reveller. You can enjoy a classy tipple of local wine while listening to buskers in the capital Valletta, or head up to the infamous Paceville for a night that won’t end until the sun rises. Whether you’re more of a top-40 kind of clubber or you love filthy drops and minimalist beats, there’s a Malta club for you – if anything, there’s almost too much choice packed into the archipelago. Luckily for you, we at Orbzii have partied from dusk-til-dawn all over the archipelago, so if you’re keen to make your trip a partying one, read ahead for our guide to Malta nightlife.
Malta Bars and Pubs
Valletta
Although there are tonnes of cool spots in all over the island, the capital of Valletta is a great place to start your Malta nightlife adventure in. A more refined experience than many big nightlife areas, there are dozens of great venues dotted throughout the tiny city. Strolling along the waterfront is a great way to soak in the atmosphere, and there are a lot of bars and restaurants here that might take your fancy.
Malta’s long association with England also means that it’s one of the few places on earth that manage to recreate that unique pub vibe you usually only get in the UK and Ireland. If you want a proper boozer, 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.
If you want a more European experience to go along with the stunning weather and delicious Mediterranean diet you’re likely eating, then Trabuxu Wine Bar is a favourite in the city. 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. Other spots we like include Django Jazz Bar, perfect for some impressive live music, and Bridge Bar, also home to plenty of exceptional live music throughout the week. 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.
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 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 one of our favourites – running for over thirty-five years now, this laidback establishment doesn’t take itself too seriously, but does offer phenomenal service and a friendly atmosphere. 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.
Just a short trip from Bugibba is Qawra, which is home to one of our favourite bars in all of Malta: The Alex Bar. Although it has a chic décor and wine selection that would make Michelin starred restaurants feel inadequate, 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.
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 and Chalice Bar & Lounge, it’s really the clubbing scene here that brings people out.
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, so it’s a little higher-end than some other Malta nightclubs. This also means an expansive cocktail menu. 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 get hot and sweaty on your visit to a Malta club, then Shadow Club is where you should head. Focusing on EDM, the crowd here 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.
Outdoor/Seasonal Clubs
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. Gigs and nights vary, but if you’re around from April until September you’re sure to have a chance to make a visit here part of your Malta nightlife experience.
Uno Malta is located in Ta’ Qali Crafts Village and is the biggest club on the island, with a capacity of 4,000. They tend to run parties every weekend, and these ragers are usually full of more locals than tourists, lasting until sunrise.
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.
Want to enjoy even more of Malta’s party scene? Check out our guide to the island’s best festivals.
Keen to book your Mediterranean clubbing adventure? Download the Orbzii app today to Dream, Plan, and Book an island getaway so you can enjoy Malta nightlife to its fullest.
