We asked Sam Rucker, who is in his early 20s to sample the night life in the city of Granada - he survived to tell the tale.

After several quiet (albeit lovely) weekends in Salobreña, last week, I lept at the opportunity to go and visit some friends in Granada. Having explored the city many times during the day, I can affirm that its historic beauty never fails to charm.

This time though, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to put Granada’s nightlife to the test.
I was off to visit some old friends, Sami and Daniel. Daniel, like me, is English but has all the hallmarks of having been naturalised in Spain. He speaks Spanish, has fallen in love with a local and casts a critical eye over any restaurant wine exceeding €20. Sami, on the other hand, is a true Sheffield thoroughbred. Both Daniel and I spent most of that night initiating Sami into Spanish nightlife.

The difference between ‘going out’ in Spain and the UK were immediately apparent. By about 7:30pm Sami had showered, put on his ‘lucky’ shirt and was raring to go. Daniel and I were still in our tracksuit bottoms. The streets of Granada, we explained, were practically ghost towns at that time of the evening. So, Daniel cracked open a bottle of red and about three hours later we eventually made it out.

Our first stop was the nearby La Maestranza bar, just opposite la Plaza de Toros. It was here where our token tourist, Sami, discovered one of Granada’s most alluring quirks: a free, hearty tapa with every drink. At La Maestranza we were treated to oh-so succulent chicken montaditos.

A few beers and complimentary tapas down and we headed into the centre. Calle Virgen del Rosario, a few minutes away from the town hall, to be exact. By this time the streets were teeming with life and people of all ages were crammed onto tiny outside tables.

As a well-rehearsed bar hopper in Spain, one piece of advice I would give to newcomers is this: never give up! Spots in areas like these fill up to the brim, but have a quick turnaround time. With polite elbowing and decisive negotiation with waiters, you’ll usually manage to find something somewhere. And sure enough, we managed to clobber together a few stools outside Taberna Malvasía.

This hidden gem had tasty tapas, a great selection of wine and friendly staff – despite the hectic crowds. If you can’t manage to find a free seat here, any bar on that street is likely to have a lively atmosphere and a good glass of Spanish red.

No matter what though, trying your luck at our next stop, Taberna La Tana, is a must. Its walls, crammed with great wines and endearing memorabilia, act as good omens for what’s to come. Their exquisite cheese boards would be an unmissable recommendation of mine. But be warned, reserve if you can – this place has a great reputation with Granadinos.

At this point, Sami noted that the nightlife in Granada (like in so many Spanish cities) seemed welcoming of every age group. I would definitely agree – and La Tana would be a top pick amongst those whose student days are well and truly behind them.

Our fourth and final spot of the night, on the other hand, is very much catered for a younger crowd.
Pub Babel, on the infamous student street of Pedro Antonio de Alarcón, had cheap drinks, loud music and buckets of life. Overall, with one of Spain’s biggest universities, Granada would not disappoint any twenty-something looking for a party. And, it was at Pub Babel that both Sami and Daniel made the astute observation that they had yet to see any bar-side brawls or street-side vomit. Having all frequented innumerable student bars in the UK, we all agreed this was a very welcome difference compared to our experience ‘back home.

Perhaps one of its greatest assets is the sheer quantity of good bars with an authentically ‘Spanish’ atmosphere. No matter your age then, Granada is not just a site to be seen during the day, but a buzzing city to be experienced at night.

(Feature: Sam Rucker/Albaicín, Granada)