Nightlife · Valletta · Malta
Valletta nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Valletta, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matthew Axiak, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Valletta's nightlife is mostly wine bars, cocktail bars and live music in narrow streets, busiest at weekends. For clubs, Maltese and visitors head to Paceville in St Julian's, about 20–30 minutes away. The main areas are Strait Street, Merchants Street and Republic Street, Paceville, St Julian's and Spinola Bay.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- St Julian's and Paceville
- Local drink
- Kinnie and Cisk
Where to go out
Strait Street
Wine bars and small music venues in the old sailors' district, with tables in the narrow street.
Merchants Street and Republic Street
Cocktail bars and late cafés in the upper town, especially around St John's and the squares.
Paceville, St Julian's
Malta's main club district, a dense block of bars and clubs aimed at a young crowd, loud until very late.
Spinola Bay
Waterfront restaurants and bars around the harbour in St Julian's, calmer than Paceville next door.
Nightlife tips
- Valletta is quiet late on weeknights; Friday and Saturday are the liveliest evenings.
- Night bus services are limited, so plan a ride-hailing car or taxi back from Paceville.
- Summer weekends bring festas with fireworks and street parties in many towns.
Evening sights
Architecture · Lower Valletta
Manoel Theatre
If you can, see a performance rather than a tour; the acoustics and the intimate boxes are the point.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- After dark
- Couples
Street · Lower Valletta
Strait Street
Come after dark for a glass of Maltese wine at a table set out in the narrow street.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- History
What to drink
- Kinnie and Cisk — Kinnie is a bittersweet soft drink made with bitter oranges and herbs, produced in Malta since the 1950s; Cisk is the island's best-known lager, brewed since the 1920s.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. August has the warmest evenings, with lows around 24°C (75°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:11 | 10°C (50°F) | 10 |
| April | About 19:35 | 13°C (55°F) | 4 |
| July | About 20:19 | 23°C (73°F) | 0 |
| October | About 18:26 | 18°C (64°F) | 7 |
Getting home late
- Walking — Everything in Valletta is within walking distance; Republic Street runs the length of the peninsula from City Gate to Fort St Elmo.
- Bus — Buses can be slow in traffic and full in summer; a tallinja card or app ticket is easier than paying cash.
- Ferry — The Barrakka Lift connects the Upper Barrakka Gardens with the Grand Harbour ferry landing.
- Ride-hailing — Ride-hailing apps and local cab companies operate across Malta and are useful at night or for the airport.
Late-night bites
- Pastizzi — Pastizzerias across Valletta and every town; the best are straight from the oven and cost very little.
- Ħobż biż-żejt — Snack bars and cafés across the island, especially near swimming spots.
- Bigilla — Part of most Maltese platters in Valletta wine bars and village restaurants.
Staying safe at night
Valletta is generally calm for visitors. Watch for pickpockets in crowds when cruise ships are in, and take care on slippery limestone steps. Traffic drives on the left, so look right first when crossing; in summer, heat and strong sun are the main concerns.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for nightlife, solo travellers and beach
St Julian's and Paceville
North of Sliema, St Julian's wraps around Spinola Bay and Balluta Bay with waterfront restaurants and big hotels, while neighbouring Paceville is a dense block of clubs and bars aimed at a young crowd. It is about 20–30 minutes from Valletta by bus.
- Good
- Malta's liveliest nightlife; Sandy St George's Bay beach; Many hotels and restaurants
- Watch out
- Very loud at night in Paceville; A bus ride from Valletta's sights
- Nearby
- Spinola Bay, Balluta Bay, Paceville, St George's Bay
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Valletta?
Strait Street, Merchants Street and Republic Street and Paceville, St Julian's. Wine bars and small music venues in the old sailors' district, with tables in the narrow street.
+Which area of Valletta is best for nightlife?
St Julian's and Paceville: Spinola Bay restaurants by the water and Malta's main club district.