Zaragoza, about an hour from Barcelona, feels like a throwback to the good old Spain, with a mix of modern and particularly tasty elements. The locals love to go out and have fun (and start late), so Zaragoza has one of the highest concentrations of bars in Spain.
All of this, combined with a variety of alcohol-related events and food throughout the year, makes Zaragoza a fascinating entertainment hub that should not be misses. So, for the more experienced tourist who has already been to Barcelona and Madrid and would like to enjoy eating and drinking in the old Spanish style, Zaragoza is the option.
Each area Has its Own Vibe
The best way to enjoy Zaragoza is to get lost in it. This is a pretty sweeping recommendation for any country because it’s something you can experience and try without thinking about whether it’s a recommendation from someone from the country or if you saw it on Facebook. So when you get to the city, just explore it. Start walking, stop in all kinds of places, sit down and enjoy a tapa with a glass of wine from Aragon. Later, have a vermouth, maybe a gin and tonic or a cocktail, because the selection is huge in an area of Spain that has been developing a lot lately.
The beauty of Zaragoza is the balance between the old and the new. Because it still has a classic charm. One night, you can enjoy tapas in a ten-year-old bar, or ask for the classic local dishes of blood sausage on a slice of bread with a beer. But that is not enough. The experience continues tonight to hang out late in the hipster bars that serve plates with pieces of fish and mini-decorations. Also, crazy cocktails with thick beards and ending the night in the early hours in clubs with crazy house music.
This rich variety has created areas, complexes for all types of entertainment. We’ve put together some of the areas that tourists will love, so all you have to do is go out and enjoy.
It is important to know that the Spanish lifestyle remains alive 24/7. This means that evenings in Spain start very late, so it’s a good idea to start off in the quieter places and have a bite to eat, then move on to the trendier places that don’t open until midnight.
- The Old Town and El Tubo
These are the two most famous areas for tourists in Zaragoza, but they are also leisure spots for locals so don’t worry about tourist traps. El Tubo is a center full of tapas bars and small restaurants, so there are many more food options there. To fully enjoy it, just move from one tapas bar to another, nibble on something, have a drink and move on. El Casco, located in the old town, is a trendier area. Here you will find many bars and trendy clubs there with a variety of music styles and cool people. - Bretón University Area
This is a quiet area, next to the university and next to Tomás Bretón street. It has bars and pubs and less clubs, so it’s a great area to start the night quietly, also to eat something and mainly to hang out with friends over a good beer and less parties until the early hours of the morning. - Royo or Moncasi area
In these areas, you will find a younger crowd, the dominant music is hip-hop, techno, and house, and the bars are less tapas oriented and more for drinks and dancing. - Doctor Cerrada (LGBTQ+ community)
This area is famous among the proud community alongside the salsa scene, so you can find many lesbian and gay bars there, and parallel to learning salsa or just enjoy excellent local music and live performances. - La Zona
This area is located in a neighborhood created by the intersection of Paseo Damas, Paseo Constitución, Cesáreo Alierta and Camino de las Torres streets. The crowd that hangs out here tends to be around 30 years old, more hipster, and the bars and pubs are accordingly trendier and more fashionable. This is a good area to start the evening. - Reggae in La Magdalena
Located near Plaza de la Magdalena, this is the area to listen to reggae (and of course chill) in one of the clubs or bars in the area. The crowd is very diverse, as it should be for reggae fans, making everyone feel at home. - Chill out at “Las Riberas del Ebro”
The banks of the Ebro River are dotted with cool terraces and bars that offer a relaxed atmosphere and chill vibes that go perfectly with a drink and a snack against the backdrop of the sunset.
More recommendations
Here are some cool recommendations in all the great neighborhoods for those who haven’t decided where to go tonight.
- Juan Sebastián Bar
The Juan Sebastián Bar, open since 1982, is one of the oldest and most famous bars in the Breton area, and for good reason. The design is cool, the music is great (rock, blues and jazz), the mojito is famous, and all of this combined with the fun atmosphere makes an evening in this place unforgettable. On Wednesdays there are beer tastings, and on Thursdays and Sundays there are guest evenings and monologues. On weekends, there are tango lessons and live performances. - El 35 Gin Club
For gin lovers, this cool place is a must. It is called El 35 because it contains about 35 different types of gin and plenty of tonics. Open from 04:00 p.m. until the early morning hours. - La Terraza
One of the trendiest places in the Bretón area, with a cool green terrace and particularly worthwhile opening hours (05:00 p.m. to 02:00 a.m.). La Terraza is one of the bars tourists should visit, the crowd is trendy, the music is cool, and of course there are snacks. - Coconut Cocktail Bar
With a tropical atmosphere, cool glasses, tiki cocktails, and lots of energy, Coconut is one of the fun cocktail bars to hang out at. Cocktail prices range from 7 to 15 euros, the crowd is mostly local ranging from 25 to 40 people. - The Old Negroni
A tapas bar that combines the classic Negroni cocktail served here with several variations, up to tapas with local ingredients. Older crowd, average prices, and an especially fun place for Negroni enthusiasts. - Café Escocia
A Scottish tavern serving a wide variety of beers from all over, and of course, local ones. Café Escocia is open every day from 03:00 pm to 03:00 am. - Bodegas Almau Wine and Tapas Bar
Founded in 1870, this wine bar is one of the oldest in Zaragoza. Located in the “El Tubo” area, Almau Wine and Tapas Bar specializes in preserved anchovies and has a stunning terrace overlooking the surroundings and the events taking place.
In summary, Zaragoza is a world of old and new, offering a taste of old Spain alongside the trendiest spots. It’s cheaper than Barcelona or Madrid, the people are nice, and the Israelis haven’t taken over yet. It offers a huge selection of alcohol and food alongside the clubs and bars. In short – perfect.
