9 Best Bars and Pubs in Malaga Old Town

Search "best bars in Málaga" on Google or TripAdvisor and you'll get a list of clubs. Every time.

These are not clubs.

These are actual bars and pubs in Málaga's old town where locals and expats actually drink. Places with character, good beer, and bartenders who know what they're doing.

We keep going back to all of them.

If quirky, hidden spots are more your style, check out my guide to Malaga's coolest secret bars.

Central Beers

If beer variety is your thing, this is your mothership.

Central Beers has 15+ taps and an even bigger bottle selection. The bartenders actually know their stuff, so if you're unsure, just tell them what you like and they'll sort you out.

Location is perfect: right off Plaza de la Constitución, so ideal for starting a night before heading deeper into the centre. We've ended many evenings here with one beer too many.

The food here is the best of any bar on this list. Try the carilladas (slow-cooked pork cheeks). Trust me.

Birras Deluxe

Think of Birras Deluxe as Central Beers' laid-back cousin.

Same craft beer focus, but more intimate and with a Spanish twist. They champion local Andalusian breweries, but you'll also find the largest bottle collection in Málaga on their shelves.

It's small, so it fills up fast. That's part of the charm.

The food leans tapas-style: cheese and jamón platters crafted to pair with the beers. The staff can recommend pairings if you ask.

El Colmao

El Colmao is the opposite of a craft beer bar. You won't find artisanal anything here.

What you will find: size, energy, pool tables, closed booths, and prices that won't empty your wallet. It's got the rowdy pub atmosphere that the more upscale places lack.

They run quiz nights and drink specials regularly. Check their social media for the schedule.

Best for: Groups who want space, cheap drinks, and don't need a curated beer list.

Morrisseys

Every city has its Irish pub. In Málaga, Morrisseys takes the crown.

It's big, it's loud, and it's showing whatever football match you forgot was on. Guinness, Jameson, and all the classics you'd expect.

Not the most "authentic Málaga" experience, but sometimes you want a pint and pub grub without overthinking it.

This is one of the few pubs in Málaga that actually shows rugby. We watch the Six Nations here every year.

Order the nachos. Genuinely good.

Chester & Punk

One of our favourites in the city centre.

From the outside, you might walk straight past it.

Inside, it's cocktail heaven with old-school speakeasy flair. The bartenders actually care about what they're making, and the drinks pack a punch.

The presentation is theatrical. Expect smoke, unusual glassware, and cocktails that look as good as they taste.

Jethro always orders The Walking Dead.

Best for: Date nights, cocktail enthusiasts, anyone tired of beer.

La Terraza de San Telmo

A rooftop bar above a premium hostel, which means the crowd is always a mix of travellers and locals.

Loungers and high-top tables spread across the terrace with views of Málaga's terracotta rooftops. The drinks lean towards cocktails and whiskeys.

Works equally well for a couple or a group of ten.

Chinitas Urban Hostel

Another rooftop, this time above a budget hostel right in the old town centre.

The main draw: an incredible view of Málaga Cathedral. You're basically drinking at eye level with the bell tower.

Budget drinks, no food (though each order comes with nuts and snacks). Expect to stand; there are a few chairs and loungers, but they go fast.

Best for: Sunset drinks, Instagram shots, budget-conscious travellers.

Sala Premier

This place is massive.

Multiple rooms, each themed after different movies and TV shows.

Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Harry Potter. It feels like a pub crawl without leaving the building.

Perfect for groups who can't agree on a vibe. Board games, screenings, and events run regularly.

The beer and whisky selection is surprisingly solid for a themed bar. Don't leave without getting your photo taken with the hobbit door.

Kiwi House of Beer

Despite the name, this one isn't just for New Zealanders.

A cosy bar with a huge selection of international beers and a crowd that's a mix of locals and travellers. The Kiwi House of Beer is hidden down some side alleys, which means most tourists miss it.

That's partly why regulars like it.

Best for: Beer lovers who want something off the beaten path.

The Bottom Line

Málaga's old town is packed with places to drink, but most tourist guides send you to clubs or overpriced hotel bars.

These nine are the ones we actually go back to. Whether you want craft beer, rooftop views, cocktails, or just a cheap pint with pool tables, there's something here.

Start with Central Beers or Birras Deluxe if you're a beer person.

Chester & Punk if cocktails are your thing. And if you just want to watch sport with a Guinness, Morrisseys has you covered.

¡Salud!

If you're a history buff, don't miss our guide to the oldest bars in Malaga for even more classic drinking spots.