The wildest drag parties and bars in Barcelona

Pluma

Empire state of mind / Image: @arting_with_light

Fan of fabulous OTT parties? Barcelona‘s got ’em. Make a beeline for this monthly club night, as choreography queen Joan Oh and her crazy family bring a slice of camp to the Catalan capital. Expect big looks and jaw-dropping performances with drag queens like Raven Tadytha and Bonnie Oui Laddie storming the stage. Behind the decks, DJ Big Balls will keep you bouncing all night with endless queer anthems.

Various locations
instagram.com/plumabcn

Pop Air

Like your queens a little on the furry side? Try Pop Air – the monthly club for hairy bears at Sala Tango. Its dedication to bearded drag queens is something else, with promo images featuring Mariah Carey and Dolly Parton sporting added facial hair. Expect shows from queens serving whiskers with lashes (such as the vampy Vilma Porux), as you dance all night at this poptastic, predominantly male party.

Carrer de la Diputació, 94, Eixample
instagram.com/popairparty

El Cangrejo

El Cangrejo (‘The Crab’) has endured for decades as a hub for queer cabaret at its original Raval location. Expect weekly drag shows en Español around midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Alternatively, saunter north to ‘Gaixample’ for its sister bar if you prefer a younger crowd and danceable tunes. It all comes courtesy of Chilean drag sensation Ari Korrales.

Carrer de Montserrat, 9, Raval and Carrer de Villarroel, 86, Eixample
facebook.com/elcangrejodelraval

La Federica

Cocktails at La Federica / Image: Nacho Juárez @nachojuarez

If you’ve never had your fortune told by a drag queen, you’re missing out. Pay a visit to The Federica to see what’s on your cards. This vibrantly hued cocktail bar is the perfect place to get creative with Barcelona’s most marvellous queens. Spend some psychic time with the moustachioed La Moreno, join in a quiz night diva-style with Lady Red Velvet or get sketchy with the delectable Miss Bambi’s life-drawing experience.

Carrer de Salvà, 3, Poble Sec
instagram.com/barlafederica

Queer That

If you’re more into kings than queens, check out this electrifying drag collective. Queer That are the boyband of your dreams – complete with 90s curtain haircuts, coordinated dance moves and brooding looks. Founded by the smouldering Ken Pollet, Queer That host their very own drag race at Sala Apolo, plus drag king workshops at La Casa de la Pradera.

Various locations
instagram.com/queerthatofficial

La Casa De La Pradera

Mood lighting at La Casa de la Pradera / Image: @lacasadelapraderaraval

If you’ve forgotten to pack your wig, La Casa de la Pradera has four ‘house wigs’ that anyone is welcome to wear for the night. Not that you’ll outdo the drag queens – especially when glamazon Frida Nipple is working the floor. This bar is the perfect place to get a taste of Barcelona’s alternative drag scene, with parties like Pluma regularly causing mayhem in the club space behind the bar.

Carrer de les Carretes, 57, Raval
instagram.com/lacasadelapraderaraval

Churros con Chocolate

Sundays have never been sweeter than at Sala Apolo’s monthly party. Arrive in the afternoon for a free serving of the Spanish dessert it takes its name from – or party till the early hours of Monday morning if you can handle the pace. This is a very joyful, light-hearted soirée, featuring shows by the city’s top drag performers, such as La Prohibida and Hornella Góngora, plus pop and reggaeton bangers till dawn.

Carrer nou de la Rambla, 107, Poble Sec
facebook.com/chocolatechurros

Priscilla Café

The perfect drag bar to start (or end) a great night out, aptly named after the iconic Australian film. Hostess in residence Estrella Xtravaganza provides a riotous welcome. Once the killer cocktails have you ready to dance on the tables, you can pop around the corner to its sister drag club, Believe, where the shows go on till dawn.

Carrer del Consell de Cent, 273, Eixample and Carrer de Balmes, 56, Eixample
instagram.com/priscillacafe