Best bars in Málaga: where I actually drink in the old town

Search "best bars in Málaga" and you get this weird mix of clubs and pubs that don't really make sense.

There are still traditional bars in Malaga too: the tiny, packed, everyone standing on top of each other kind. If that's your vibe then visiting Antigua Casa de Guardia or Bar La Tranca is a must.

But I don't always spend my evenings at those either. Sometimes I want a table, a proper drink, and ideally a view of the rooftops as the sky goes dark.

These nine are the bars in Málaga Old Town I go back to, the ones that haven't let me down yet. If you're after quirky speakeasies and hidden gems, my guide to Málaga's coolest bars covers those. This list is for the people who just want a good evening out.

Trigger warning: This article is not a Spanish-restaurants-only guide. It's my genuine opinion as a local who drinks in Malaga, although I learned all of these spots from our malaga-born friends.

Where do locals drink in Malaga?

Locals drink everywhere, but two institutions pull in the most regulars. Antigua Casa de Guardia on Alameda Principal is the oldest bar in Málaga, open since 1840, and bartenders still track every tab in chalk on the wooden counter.

The wine comes straight from barrels, the local sweet Málaga wine poured into a small glass you sip standing up. There are no seats.

I go there every time I bring someone to the city for the first time. It's an essential stop.

El Pimpi on Calle Granada, near the Roman Theatre, is the other classic. More atmospheric, and more of a tourist draw now, but genuinely loved by locals.

For the full story on both, my guide to Málaga's coolest bars covers them properly. The bars on this page are for when you want to sit down.

What time do bars open in Malaga?

Traditional tapas bars and bodegas open from late morning, usually around 11am or noon. Rooftop bars are later, many from noon, and some don't open to the public until 2pm, so check with each venue.

The evening is the main event. Bars start filling up properly around 11pm, and most close by 2am on weeknights and 3am on weekends.

Don't arrive before 9pm expecting atmosphere. You'll find empty seats and staff still setting up.

What is the best area for bars in Malaga?

The east side of Málaga Old Town has the highest concentration of bars, and it keeps growing. The recent renovation of Calle Calderería has brought a wave of new openings, everything from wine bars to craft beer spots to late-night cocktail places.

If you walk deeper into the city from Calle Compania, there's a smaller pocket that's turning increasingly alternative. Think grunge bars, darker interiors, a younger crowd with a different energy from the polished terrace spots closer to the centre.

Wrapped into this stretch you'll also find a growing number of bars focused on local artisanal drinks, including natural wines and small-batch beers from Andalusian breweries. If you're after variety in a short walk, start on Compania and work inward.

What to drink in Malaga bars

Order a tinto de verano during summer. It's red wine mixed with lemon soda, served cold, and it's what locals actually drink when it's 35 degrees outside. Sangria is the tourist version. If you don't want to stand out, skip it.

Beyond that, three drinks are worth trying specifically because you're in Málaga.

The sweet local wine at Antigua Casa de Guardia is the classic, poured straight from barrels and unlike anything you'll find bottled. Cartojal is a sweeter, lighter version that comes out during the August Feria, and it goes down dangerously fast. Victoria is the city's own beer, brewed here since 1928, and you'll find it on tap almost everywhere.

If you're pairing drinks with food, my guide to the best tapas bars in Málaga covers the places where the kitchen matters as much as the bar.

Central Beers

If beer variety is your thing, this is your mothership in Málaga Old Town.

Central Beers has 15+ taps and an even bigger bottle selection, and the bartenders genuinely know what they're pouring. Tell them what you like and they'll find something that fits.

I don't drink beer myself, but my husband and his work colleagues treat this as their go-to after-work spot. It's right off Plaza de la Constitución on Calle Cárcer, so it works equally well as a first stop or a late-night landing pad.

The food is the best of any bar on this list despite this looking like a typical bar. Order the carilladas, slow-cooked pork cheeks, even if you only came in for the beer.

Birras Deluxe

Think of Birras Deluxe as Central Beers' more laid-back cousin. Same craft beer focus, but more on bottled imports than on draught.

They champion Andalusian breweries alongside a large international bottle selection, and the food is genuinely worth ordering. The cheese boards are excellent, and the local jamón platters are made to pair with the beers.

My husband and his friends often end the night here with a cheese board and germain eisbein which seems to be their tradition now. It's one of the few bars in the old town that stays open until late, which makes it a natural last stop.

El Colmao

El Colmao is the opposite of a craft beer bar. You won't find artisanal anything here, and that's the point.

The draw is space, pool tables, closed booths, and prices that won't empty your wallet. I've been a few times with friends and we always have a good time. The enclosed booths are comfortable for a longer evening, which is rare in the old town.

It also gets full fast. The crowd is a mix of locals and expats who want a drink without overthinking it.

Quiz nights and drink specials run regularly. I haven't made it to a quiz night myself, but I've seen them advertised and the place fills up for them. Check their social media for the current schedule.

For more budget-friendly options nearby, my guide to cheap places to eat and drink in Málaga has the full list.

Morrisseys

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

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

I go for the rugby. It's one of the few pubs in Málaga that actually screens it, and I watch the Six Nations here every year without fail. They also do a proper St Patrick's Day, which is a full event rather than just a themed evening.

Live music runs regularly too, and in my early days in Malaga I remember standing up thre and singing with new friends. It's not the most authentic Málaga experience, but sometimes you want a pint and pub grub without overthinking it.

Order the nachos.

Chester & Punk

From the outside, Chester & Punk looks like nothing. You'd walk straight past it, like I did, for over a year.

Inside, it's cocktail heaven with old-school speakeasy flair. The bartenders here genuinely care about what they're making, and the drinks are unlike anything else in the old town. Expect smoke, unusual glassware, and presentations that look as good as they taste.

I only come here when a group of us are looking for something new and fun, and it delivers every time. My husband, Jethro, always orders The Walking Dead. I usually let the bartender surprise me, which has never gone wrong.

It's on Calle Comedias, easy to miss from the street. Perfect for groups who want the cocktail experience rather than another round of beer.

La Terraza de San Telmo

La Terraza de San Telmo sits on the fourth floor above a premium hostel on Calle San Telmo, which gives it a crowd that's always a mix of travellers and locals. It's a different energy from the hotel rooftop bars further into the centre: more relaxed, less polished.

Loungers and high-top tables spread across the terrace with views over Málaga's terracotta rooftops. The drinks lean towards cocktails and whiskeys rather than draught beer, and the setting does a lot of the work.

It works for a couple looking for a quiet drink as well as a group of ten thanks to the different seating zones.

The sunset hour fills it up fast. Reserve a lounger in advance if you want one, especially on weekends.

Chinitas Urban Hostel

Above a budget hostel in Pasaje de Chinitas, this rooftop is the vertical equivalent of La Tranca. It's just as loud and packed with locals and travellers, but the view of the cathedral bell tower makes it worth the climb.

I visit often, but I'll be honest: it gets very crowded. Locals love it, the drinks are cheap, and the atmosphere is loud in the way that comes from a genuinely popular spot rather than a curated one. If you want somewhere quiet, this isn't it.

There's no food beyond nuts and snacks with each round, and seating is limited. Get there early if you want a chair.

I have other rooftop bars I prefer for a relaxed evening, but Chinitas is where the locals actually are.

Sala Premier

Sala Premier is massive has multiple rooms, each themed after a different film or TV series. Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Harry Potter. It feels like a pub crawl without leaving the building, which I mean as a compliment.

I love The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, so I'm biased, but the life-sized wooden hobbit is worth the visit on its own. Go early if you want your photo sitting next to it, or to actually see all the detail inside. Once it fills up, it's hard to move between rooms.

The outside tables have a view of the cathedral, which is worth knowing before you head straight indoors. Sit in the sun, order something cold, then explore the themed rooms once you're settled.

The beer and whisky selection is surprisingly solid. Board games, screenings, and events run regularly.

Are there rooftop bars in Malaga Old Town?

There are over 30 rooftop bars in Málaga, and the old town has a good share of them. The ones on this list are just some of the ones I actually go to, but there are plenty more.

Sala Premier also has outside tables with a cathedral view, though it's a street-level terrace rather than a rooftop. For the full picture beyond the old town, my guide to the 12 best rooftop bars in Málaga covers the city's best options including hotel rooftops with cathedral and sea views.

Where can I watch football in Malaga?

Morrisseys is the go-to for football and rugby in Málaga Old Town. Multiple screens run throughout the bar, and they show most major league and international matches. It's also one of the only pubs in the city that reliably screens rugby, including the Six Nations.

El Colmao occasionally puts matches on too, but Morrisseys is the one where the atmosphere actually builds. For big matches, arrive early. It fills up fast and standing room goes quickly.

Are bars in Malaga expensive?

It depends on the bar. El Colmao is among the cheapest options, with standard drinks around €2–4. Craft beer bars like Central Beers and Birras Deluxe charge more, typically €4–6 per beer. Cocktail spots like Chester & Punk sit at the higher end, around €8–12 per cocktail.

Rooftop terraces vary: Chinitas is budget, San Telmo is mid-range. As a general rule, the higher the view, the higher the price.

These eight cover most evenings in the old town. Start at Central Beers or Birras Deluxe if craft beer is the plan, head to Chester & Punk when the group wants cocktails, and end up at Morrisseys if there's a match on. If rooftop bars are more your style, my guide to the 12 best rooftop bars in Málaga goes well beyond what's on this list.