29 September 2020
La Terraza de San Juan is a rooftop bar with a lot to offer – above all excellent views of the mountains. This hotel bar, which opened in 2017, is on the fifth floor of the swanky Hotel Malaga Premium and is (quite literally) within touching distance of San Juan church’s tower. The public can access this terrace via the elevator in the hotel reception but be aware that during busy times, the wait for the lift can be quite […]
8 August 2021
No trip to Malaga is complete without a visit to El Pimpi. The restaurant-bodega features in all of the guide books and ‘top 10s’ you can imagine, mostly because it’s a Malaga institution with an unparalleled location (and superb outside terrace with views of the Alcazaba), but also because standards remain high despite it becoming something of a tourist hotspot these days. Its grandiose appearance, with decades-old bullfighting posters, internal patios, exposed wooden beams and stone archways, might make it […]
15 August 2021
El Balneario has to be Malaga’s most iconic bar and restaurant. Poking out from the seafront, at Baños del Carmen, just as Pedregalejo begins, punters get unparalleled views of the Bay of Malaga (and the occasional dolphin!). Enjoy the holiday, seaside vibes with a beer, copa or cocktail, day or night, or tuck into a nice lunch. The menu has a wide variety of grilled fish, rice dishes (including paella) and, of course, the famous sardine skewers, grilled on an […]
30 November 2021
If you’re a fan of beer, and especially craft beer, La Fábrica is a must for any trip to Malaga. With capacity for up to 450 people, this craft microbrewery, in the heart of the fashionable Soho district (just off the main Alameda), is vast (1,200 m2 divided into different areas and spaces). Run by the international manufacturer Cruzcampo, it has two master brewers in situ, producing seven varieties of craft beers. La Fábrica’s tap room (plus outdoor terrace) is […]
31 March 2022
La Madriguera Bar is a beer lover’s heaven. This colourful brewpub on the busy Calle Carretería has a broad selection of artisanal beers from breweries from across Europe and around the world. Having trouble deciding? The barmen are thoroughly knowledgable – it’s their passion, after all. Ask them for their advice. With dozens and dozens of draught and bottled beers, you’re bound to find one for you. If you fancy a bite, La Madriguera offers a broad menu of tapas […]
31 March 2022
El Carmen, located on the iconic Plaza de la Merced, is an LGBT+ friendly bar that is open throughout the day. Enjoy a tapa and a beer on the outdoor terrace in the sunshine, or equally a lively and colourful show over food in the evening. One of the most popular events organised at El Carmen is the Drag Bingo which draws big crowds every week. There are also various shows held on weekends, details of which can be found […]
8 May 2022
English-style pub in the heart of Malaga, The Shakespeare is a hub for expat activity. Run by Peter Edgerton, musician and writer, there is a strong sense of community here. Right in the centre of Malaga, just off Plaza de la Constitución, there is always something going on with a full itinerary of events each week (follow The Shakespeare on Facebook for events). They include live music (with weekly ‘open mic’ nights), bilingual pub quizzes and language exchanges. Major live […]
27 May 2022
What was once a legendary concert hall in Malaga has in recent times moved from Calle Comedias and converted itself into an alternative bar on the parallel Calle Convalecientes. With rock, indie and funk vibes, that concert hall past is still maintained with regular live music shows and DJ sessions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (check website for details). At Velvet Club, the variety of concerts and the quality of the live music make this the perfect breeding ground […]
3 September 2022
This place is a feast both for the stomach and the eyes. Fiel de Fechos, tucked away in a small side street between the Cathedral and the bustling Calle Granada, can only be described in one way: spectacular. Roses on the ceiling invite you in, then bright lights and zany 70s patterns lead you to one of the ornate bar stools or tables. Should you need the toilet, first you must pass through the devil’s mouth. Wherever you look, there’s […]
6 March 2023
La Polivalente is a popular venue in the arty-yet-edgy Lagunillas area of the city. The bar is a diamond in this somewhat rough neighbourhood located between Plaza de la Merced and Plaza de la Victoria. It’s a real melting pot for artistic types, with the venue offering a full schedule of shows and live music. This almost impossibly small bar, with an embracing bohemian vibe, also puts on exhibitions by local artists. Its mission, they say, is to “create a meeting […]
12 March 2023
If you’re looking for an international flavour as you take a break from soaking in the sun at the beach, pop into the impossible-to-pronounce Cervecería Untertürkheim. The German-style bar (or rather Central European-style) on La Malagueta beach has a vast selection of both bottled and draught beers. Imported beers As well as local Spanish beers, they also have a menu boasting several pages of imported beers from Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, the UK and many more. Use your pint […]
12 March 2023
Central Beers is a craft brewery right in Malaga city centre, on the semi-pedestrianised Calle Cárcer. In a modern yet inviting setting, Central Beers has a brew for everyone’s taste. With 15 rotating taps (check the screens for information about taste, where it’s from etc.) and more than 150 other bottles, there’s something for even the most discerning beer lover. Both Spanish and a broad range of imported beers are paired with a simple food menu, comprising burgers, wraps, sandwiches, […]
25 March 2023
Plaza de la Merced is one of the largest and most iconic public squares in Malaga city centre. The square has been a key part of the city since the Roman era, operating as a marketplace since at least the fifteenth century. This beautiful square is a must-see for many different reasons: Picasso’s birthplace Firstly, Plaza de la Merced is the birthplace of none other than Pablo Picasso. Malaga’s most famous son was born in the house on the most […]