Barcelona is as good as it gets if you want to meet trans individuals. The city is packed with TG friendly hangouts, and if you’re new here it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
I stayed here for 3 months and even then I feel like there’s a lot left for me to explore.
But I have my local friends and with their help along with my own experiences, I’ve created this guide.
So read on as I talk about the best places to meet trans people in Barcelona, including night spots, community centers and online avenues.
Table of Contents
Methodology for Finding Trans Friendly Spaces in Barcelona
There’s a lot of misinformation online nowadays and our team at WorldTransGuides believe in transparency, so here’s how we gather information for these guides:
- My Own Experiences: I always prefer visiting the city myself to get firsthand experience of its culture and inclusivity. That includes going to various nightspots and trying online mediums to connect with the community.
- Asking Locals for Help: We connect with local trans people through online platforms to get their feedback about certain places.
- Checking Online Discussions: We also look at what people are saying on websites like Reddit and Quora. This helps us ensure that the places we’re suggesting are based on real life experiences.
- Fresh Updates: Writing these guides is just one part of our job. The other is keeping them updated. We’re constantly checking for new information to add and remove venues that have closed.
List of TG Friendly Venues in Barcelona
Barcelona, home to over 5.5 million people, stands out as one of the most LGBT-friendly cities I’ve had the pleasure of visiting.
This inclusivity is beautifully showcased through events like Barcelona Pride, an annual LGBTI celebration held every summer.
With more than 250,000 attendees¹ each year, it’s not only the largest pride celebration in the Mediterranean but also the most popular event in Europe.
You’ll notice the big LGBT community in everyday life too so get ready as we explore what this city has to offer.
1. Bars and Clubs
Barcelona has so many LGBT+ friendly night spots that you’d actually need weeks to explore them.
If you have the time, I’d suggest starting from Gaixample, also known as the “Gay Eixample,” which is the heart of the LGBTQ+ scene here.
The area is packed with LGBTQ+-friendly bars, clubs, and cafes. No matter your preference, you’re sure to find a venue that suits your taste and style.
But if you’re on a time-crunch then I’ve made things easier for you. Here’s a list of some of my favorite places to meet trans individuals.
Priscilla Cafè at C/ del Consell de Cent
This might be a gay bar but it often has a heavy presence of trans individuals.
I just love the drag queen filtering at the entrance to keep it an inclusive and safe space for us.
Reviews of Other People about Priscilla Cafè
“Nice atmospheric gay restaurant. Beautiful decor. Clips of RuPaul’s drag race were playing and creating a nice atmosphere. Drinks were priced ok. Menu didn’t have a vegan option.”
Believe Club at C/ de Balmes
This place is known for its drag shows which mostly start after 12 am so it’s a nice spot for some late night fun.
Reviews of Other People about Believe Club
“We had such a blast, it was our first drag show and the queens were AMAZING. I also loved Jenny’s pole dance performance !
It made our trip to Barcelona one of the best trips we’ve had so far. Thanks to the staff who were really friendly from the entrance to the bar.”
La Federica at Carrer de Salvà
There are plenty of LGBTQ events happening throughout the week, from drag performances to concerts and exhibitions.
Plus, the bar is cute, cozy, and super welcoming, making it the perfect spot to grab some drinks with friendly queer folks.
Reviews of Other People about La Federica
“The greatest environment to be queer and have fun. Special mention to Lady Red Velvet shows, she’s always a blast. They also help a lot of local charities during the whole year.”
Strass Bar at C. de Villarroel
This is one of the best places to get a taste of the drag culture in the city.
The drag queens are sexy and the crowd was very trans-centric when I visited. I can’t wait to come here again the next time I visit Barcelona!
Reviews of Other People about Strass Bar
Rebecca Clingenpeel on Google Maps:
“Super fun bar with a drag show around midnight. We went with a group and had a great time. The bartenders are super nice and the drinks are tasty!”
Carita Bonita at C/ de Balmes
Mainly a lesbian bar but they welcome everyone and I met many trans women here so it’s worth visiting.
Shout-out to the owner Ursula, I came alone and she made sure that I feel comfortable and welcomed at all times!
Reviews of Other People about Carita Bonita
“Great local lesbian bar. Good music, good vibes, reasonable prices, places to dance as well as sit down. Not sure why it’s listed as a “piano bar” on google but definitely recommend it.”
Berlin Dark at Passatge de Prunera
Keep your schedule open on Wednesdays because they host a bi/trans night every week. The atmosphere is also very casual with most people looking to hookup.
Reviews of Other People about Berlin Dark
Fernandez Moreno on Google Maps:
“Great venue. Wednesday bi trans nights are really worth a visit. And all the the staff are amazing.”
Madame Jasmine at Rambla del Raval
This bar is inclusive of everyone, regardless of where you fall on the LGBTQ spectrum.
It’s also incredibly welcoming and supportive of the transgender community. If you’re looking for a trans-friendly space, this is definitely the place to be.
Reviews of Other People about Madame Jasmine
Stefan Sigfinnsson on Google Maps:
“This is the place for LGBTQ+ people to come to. I’m so fed up with all those stereotype gays out there but here everybody are welcome.”
Candy Darling at Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes
Super friendly bar where many trans and queer folks come together to enjoy music, drinks, and good conversation.
They host incredible drag bingo nights which as you can see in the video, are a blast…
Reviews of Other People about Candy Darling
“Very cool lgbtqia+ bar, the interior is so nice and diverse. The music might be a bit too loud for a group of people hanging out as you can barely hear each other, but is fine for a one on one hangout.”
2. Community Centers and Organizations
You can meet trans people at the Can Batilo community center as well. But just to be clear, it’s not a LGBT-focused space.
But I’ve met some friendly queer people so it’s definitely worth checking out.
In case you’re looking for a more LGBT-centric spot, I’d recommend Centre LGTBI.
They host regular workshops and events where you’re almost guaranteed to bump into trans folks, so keep an eye on their website.
3. Trans Friendly Dating Sites
Barcelona’s LGBT+ scene is pretty lively, and if you’re looking to connect with trans folks online, there are some easy ways to do it.
Apps like Bumble can be a good start. Even if you don’t spot trans people right away, you’ll meet cool queer folks who can clue you in on where to find trans communities online and where to hang out in the city.
Personally, I’ve used Bumble and Tinder for this, and it’s been pretty successful.
But, gotta give you a heads up that Tinder has its fair share of people just looking for hookups.
And, well, sometimes you’ll run into cis guys who fetishize trans women. So as long as you keep your guard up, it should be fine.
4. Online Groups and Pages
You can also connect with trans people through social media sites like Facebook. Here are some communities that you should join.
- LGBT De Barcelona – Active community to share info about LGBT parties and events. (800+ members).
- Transgender Barcelona LGBTIQ – Group for transgender, transvestites and crossdressers to connect, ask questions and make friends (750+ members).
- LGBT Barcelona – Public group to interact with the community and learn about upcoming events (1,200+ members).
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Barcelona
Barcelona’s known as one of Spain’s most trans-friendly cities, and for good reason.
A bunch of my friends started their transition there and they’ve had nothing but positive experiences.
Even if they don’t pass as their identified gender yet and are openly trans, they haven’t faced transphobia at all
Plus, the healthcare services for trans folks are pretty solid and the public health system covers basic hormones, which is a huge deal.
And socially, it’s like a big LGBTQ+ party! Lots of people are part of the community in some way or another, so it’s totally normal to express yourself however you want from a young age.
There are tons of queer-friendly spots in L’Eixample district, kind of like San Francisco’s The Castro. In fact, locals even call it Gayxample because of how LGBTQ+-friendly it is.
So whether you’re out and about or at work, it’s highly unlikely you’ll face any discrimination openly. Barcelona’s basically a dream city for transgender folks!
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Meeting Trans in Barcelona
Barcelona is loaded with trans friendly places, and I envy you if you’re a local here because of how fun it is.
And if you’re a tourist, soak up every moment because it’s hard to find such an active LGBT+ scene anywhere else.
I’ve covered both online and offline options in this article, so experiment around to see what works best for you.
That’s all from my side, hope you have a wonderful time meeting transgender individuals in Barcelona!
