5 reviewed party hostels · from €18.00/night · Hostelworld rated
Malaga’s nightlife kicks off in Plaza de la Merced, where backpackers spill out of bars like La Tranca and El Pimpi by 11 pm. The square is ringed with hostels, so you’re never more than a five-minute walk from the action. The Lights Garden and Feel Hostels City Centre lead the pack, offering free sangria nights and rooftop terraces with hammocks: ideal for pre-drinks before heading to the clubs. Most places stay open until 6 am, but the real crowd builds after midnight, especially on weekends when Calle Granada fills with groups hopping between late-night kebabs and shot bars.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Central Malaga hostel housed in a distinctive yellow historical building that has perfected the art of connecting solo travellers through systematic social programming. Located at Calle Torregorda 3 between Alameda Principal and the Central Market, The Lights delivers guaranteed meeting opportunities through nightly free sangria on the rooftop terrace, followed by family dinners and organized pub crawls. With an 88% rating from 4,869 reviews, guests consistently mention meeting lasting travel companions through the hostel's structured evening activities and welcoming atmosphere that makes even introverted travellers feel included.
Green boutique eco-hostel in Malaga's historic centre with a spectacular rooftop terrace that serves as the city's premier backpacker social hub. The jungle-themed design features real plants throughout, creating natural conversation starters, while daily activities including beach volleyball, pub crawls, and sunset hikes guarantee connections with fellow international travellers. With a 93% rating from 2,685 reviews, guests consistently praise the #goodvibesonly atmosphere and staff who actively facilitate friendships through WhatsApp groups and organized adventures.
Premium boutique hostel in Malaga's Old City Centre featuring the city's only rooftop pool and hotel-level accommodations at hostel prices. With a 94% rating from 231 reviews, Coeo delivers upscale social experiences through welcome drinks, ground-floor restaurant, and poolside networking opportunities. The three-tier room system offers budget dorms with privacy shutters, private pods, or ensuite rooms, attracting a mature international crowd (22-30) who appreciate quality facilities while remaining open to meeting fellow travellers in the stylish lobby and rooftop spaces.
Andalusia's first pod-style hostel featuring individual lockable micro-rooms with personal AC control, smart locks, and workspace areas in Malaga's historic centre. Located at Calle Beatas 20 near the cathedral and Picasso museum, this ultra-modern accommodation attracts mature travellers and remote workers seeking hotel-level privacy at hostel prices. With a 93% rating from 444 reviews, guests consistently praise the "stylish, clean, and welcoming" atmosphere, though the pod design prioritises privacy over traditional hostel socialising, making it ideal for travellers wanting flexibility to connect through organized activities while maintaining personal space.
Beach-focused hostel located just 150 meters from La Malagueta Beach in the quiet residential El Limonar area, offering spectacular sea-view terrace and intimate family-like atmosphere. With an 82% rating from 361 reviews, this smaller-scale hostel attracts diverse ages seeking relaxed social experiences centred around beach culture rather than intense nightlife. Guests consistently praise the "million dollar views" from the terrace, 2-minute beach access, and welcoming staff who create organic connections in the spacious common areas and well-equipped kitchen, making it ideal for travellers prioritising beach proximity over city centre party access.
Organised nights out with a local guide
This crawl hits four bars before ending with VIP entry to two clubs, including Ohm Club. The route changes nightly, but you’ll always get a mix of shot bars and lounges. Free shots are included at the first stop, and you’ll skip the queue at the clubs. Groups are capped at 30, so it never feels like a cattle market.
How Malaga's nightlife zones break down
The epicentre of Malaga’s nightlife, La Merced is a warren of bars and hostels around a lively square. Calle Granada and Calle Carretería are the main drags, packed with shot bars and late-night kebab shops. By 2 am, the streets are so crowded you’ll have to walk in the road. It’s loud, messy, and exactly what you came for.
A 10-minute walk west of the centre, Soho is Malaga’s artsy district. By day, it’s galleries and brunch spots; by night, cocktail bars and underground clubs like Sala Paris 15. The area feels more local than La Merced, with fewer stag dos and more Spanish twenty-somethings. Calle Tomás Heredia is the street to know.
The beachfront neighbourhood is where you go to sober up: or start the day. Chiringuitos (beach bars) serve cold beers and espetos (sardines grilled over an open fire) until midnight. It’s a 15-minute walk from La Merced, so it’s quieter but still lively. Hostels here are cheaper, but you’ll trade convenience for a 20-minute stroll to the clubs.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
This shot bar on Plaza de la Merced is the default pre-club stop. Staff pour €1 shots until 2 am, and the crowd is mostly backpackers and Erasmus students. Arrive before midnight to avoid queues. The music leans toward reggaeton and Latin hits, with the occasional cheesy Euro-pop throwback.
A Malaga institution, El Pimpi is a sprawling bodega with barrels signed by celebrities and walls covered in tiles. It’s touristy but fun, with live flamenco on weekends. The house wine costs €3 a glass, and the tapas are free if you order a drink. Get there by 9 pm to grab a table on the terrace.
A two-floor club playing techno and house until 6 am. Entry is €10, which includes a drink, but hostel guests often get in free with a wristband. The crowd is a mix of locals and travellers, and the dance floor gets packed after 2 am. It’s a 10-minute walk from Plaza de la Merced, near the port.
An Irish pub with a difference: it’s the only place in Malaga where you’ll hear live indie and rock bands most nights. Happy hour runs 5–8 pm, with pints at €3.50. The crowd is older than the shot bars, but it’s a good spot if you want a break from reggaeton.
A tiny bar specialising in shots served in test tubes. The menu lists over 100 flavours, from bubblegum to absinthe. It’s standing-room only, and the crowd spills onto the pavement. Expect to pay €1.50–2 per shot. Open until 4 am, it’s a five-minute walk from Plaza de la Merced.
A rooftop bar with views over the port and cathedral. Cocktails cost €9, but the happy hour (6–8 pm) knocks them down to €5. It’s a chilled spot early on, but the music shifts to house and disco after 11 pm. Dress smart: no flip-flops or vests.
Malaga’s biggest club, with three floors playing everything from reggaeton to EDM. Entry is €15, but pub crawl groups get in free and skip the queue. The main room fits 1,000 people, and the crowd is mostly 18–25. Open until 7 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
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