Gay Barcelona
Barcelona is a beautiful city and a haven for tourists of all kinds and
persuasions. Being one of the most liberal cities in Europe, Barcelona actually
has a vibrant gay scene and many bars, hotels and restaurants that are
gay-centric and gay-friendly. You can check into a hotel, hostel or apartment
that is either gay-exclusive or open and friendly. In Gay Barcelona, you'll find
your agenda full from sun-up to sundown.
Where to Stay
The most popular gay hotel in Barcelona is most probably the Hotel Axel on Calle
Aribau. Found in the center of L'Eixample, the Hotel Axel is an utterly gorgeous
restored 16th century hotel with each room individually designed. Asides from a
spa and a gym, it has its very own Turkish bath. Following on its heels is the
Hotel California in the Ciutat Vella, close to many churches and historic
monuments.
Hostels are also a good idea, with Friends Barcelona in the center of the city
at the top of the pack, with its humongous penthouse with three terraces, great
views, WiFi and a large kitchen. Other recommended places are Hostal Agua Alegre,
Central Town, and Barcelona City Centre Hostal.
If exclusivity is what you're looking for, Beauty and the Beach Bed and
Breakfast is a men only B&B just a short train ride from town. It has spacious
rooms and pretty terraces with spectacular views, and the breakfast is to die
for.
You weren't able to make a reservation? Not to worry, there are many flats for
rent with open and liberal landladies. GoGay Barcelona is an agency that will
help you look for apartments, either for short vacations or for longer leases.
Where to go
One of the highlights of Gay Barcelona is its very own nearby gay beach
resort, in the town of Sitges. There are a fair share of straights who come to
Sitges, although this doesn't keep the swimwear from getting skimpier and
skimpier. If you like a full tan, it's not hard to find a nudist beach in the
area where you can sun yourself in all your glory. The famous Gay Carnival in
Sitges is held every February, but you must book accommodations in advance as
the place is always fully packed during this time.
Where to Eat
The best thing about gay restaurants are the décor and the food are bound to
be fabulous. Dine in luscious interiors or gorgeous patios in the sun, on meals
fit for a queen.
Right in the center of Barcelona is an entire area that is full of these
wonderful restaurants and bars. Named L'Eixample (pronounced "Lay Shawmplay"),
it is often called GayXample, for its utter fabulousness. While most of
Barcelona's gay bars and restaurants are found here, it's not an exclusive gay
plaza and most straights who come here do so to have fun.
Restaurants in GayXample that you must visit include Eterna, Sazzerak, Tafina
and Iurantia, which is known as a great pizzeria. Tafina and Sazzerak offer live
jazz over meals, as well as Nao Colón and Little Italy, both in the Born
district. If you want live drag shows with dinner, you should visit Miranda,
dDivine and La Diva.
Where to Party
Fenix has an underwear party every Thursdays, so come in your most expensive
pair. Other well known bars include Dietrich, which has even more live drag
shows and acrobats, Punto BCN, which offers chillout music early evening and
gets hotter as the night deepens, and the must-see bar in Barcelona, Zeltas.
Aside from the highly popular Arena VIP, other gay discos in Barcelona include
Salvation, Madame, Metro Disco and the other Arena discos Arena Dandy and Arena
Classic. Some of these discos are open only on certain days of the week,
although others are open every night. Space Ibiza, which recreates the Ibiza
experience, is open every night in the summer season.
Where to Continue Partying
This is the norm in Barcelona: after partying hard in a bar, the next item on
your schedule is not back to the hotel for some zzz's, but off to another bar
for more fun, fun, fun. It sounds crazy, but this is Barcelona! You could go to
Cyber Loca for more live shows, or to any of the still open cafes and bars. Wind
down Merci, which offers soothing chillout music to cool down to after all that
partying, or in Balmes 88, featuring the best breakfast bar in the city.
With so many gay-friendly places to come to, it's no wonder why Barcelona is a
city that reverberates with excitement. Spending your next vacation in Gay
Barcelona may be a wonderful first, and definitely not your last.
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