South Eastern Malta covers fifteen towns around the Grand Harbour and the southeast coast, from the capital Valletta and the fortified Three Cities to the prehistoric Hypogeum and Tarxien temples and the fishing port of Marsaxlokk.
South Eastern Malta's nightlife is concentrated in Valletta: wine, gin and whisky bars along and around Strait Street, cocktails on the St John's Street steps and jazz on St Ursula Street. Across the Grand Harbour, Senglea has a hotel rooftop bar, and Marsaskala has a seasonal beach bar. Large nightclubs are in Paceville, St Julian's, outside this region.
Bars fill after 19:00, Strait Street is liveliest on Friday and Saturday evenings, and the scene is bar-based rather than club-based.
At a glance
- Peak hours
- Bars 19:00-01:00; Strait Street peaks Friday and Saturday
- Dress code
- Smart-casual; swimwear is out of place away from the beach bars.
- Cover charge
- Opening hours and seasonal closures change; verify on the venue's own page or by phone.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Strait Street, Valletta
Narrow former sailors' street with wine, gin, whisky and tapas bars, some in vaulted cellars.
Best for: wine, gin and live jazz
St John's Street and St Ursula Street, Valletta
Cocktail steps and an outdoor jazz bar on sloping streets near the Grand Harbour side.
Best for: cocktails and summer live music
Senglea and Birgu waterfront
Harbour-view drinks at a Senglea hotel rooftop bar; Birgu has wine bars but no verified venue address.
Best for: sunset drinks
Marsaskala and St Thomas Bay
Promenade cafes and a seasonal beach bar with concerts or DJs.
Best for: beach bar evenings in summer
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
Trabuxu Wine Bar
Established wine bar in a 400-year-old vaulted stone cellar at the top of Strait Street, open for more than 15 years.
Known for: Wine list in a 400-year-old vaulted cellar, with charcuterie platters
2 Strait Street, Valletta
Yard 32 Gin and Tapas Bar
Gin and tapas bar between Strait Street and St John's Street with a very large gin list and soft lighting.
Known for: Over 200 gins and 40+ tonics with fresh tapas
32 Strait Street, Valletta VLT 1031
Tico Tico Bar
Long-running backstreet bar on Strait Street, decorated with pin-ups and known for low prices and an occasional jazz night.
Known for: Cheap drinks, happy hour and occasional jazz nights with tapas
Strait Street, Valletta
StrEat Whisky Bar and Bistro
Vaulted cellar whisky bar on Strait Street with 1920s-style decor, a bistro menu and a terrace on Piazza San Gorg.
Known for: Large whisky selection in a vaulted cellar, plus cocktails and a bistro menu
Strait Street, Valletta VLT 14
Bridge Bar
Lively cocktail bar on St Ursula Street whose outdoor seating hosts seasonal jazz and blues sessions.
Known for: Cocktails and live jazz and blues outdoors under old Maltese balconies
258 St Ursula Street, Valletta
Cafe Society
Copper-topped bar and outdoor steps on St John's Street with views toward the Three Cities, offering cocktails, craft beer and events.
Known for: Inventive cocktails and craft beer on the steps
13 Triq San Gwann (St John's Street), Valletta
The Pub (Valletta)
One of the few authentic British-style pubs on the island, decorated with tributes to the actor Oliver Reed.
Known for: Traditional British pub known as Oliver Reed's last drinking spot
Archbishop Street, Valletta
Cugo Gran Macina Rooftop Bar
Rooftop bar of the Cugo Gran Macina hotel in Senglea, with views across the Grand Harbour to Valletta.
Known for: Grand Harbour panorama from the roof
Macina, 31 March Street (Triq il-31 ta' Marzu), Senglea ISL 1040
Zion Bar (St Thomas Bay)
Seasonal beach bar on St Thomas Bay in Marsaskala, mentioned by local guides for evening concerts and DJ nights.
Known for: Beach bar with a garden and evening concerts or DJs
St Thomas Bay, Marsaskala
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
Native Bar and Club
Late-night bar and club on Strait Street, the traditional core of Valletta's after-dark scene.
Hours: Thursday to Saturday from about 22:00; verify current hours
Muddy Waters
Informal late-night spot on Strait Street popular with students and locals.
Hours: Evenings, later at weekends; verify current hours
Zion Bar Concerts (St Thomas Bay)
Seasonal beachfront venue in Marsaskala hosting summer concerts and DJ nights.
Hours: Summer evenings; verify current hours
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Strait Street is a short walk from Valletta's City Gate; most bars are within five minutes of each other.
Hours conflict between sources for several bars; phone ahead, especially Sunday and Monday.
Cafe Society takes no reservations, so arrive early for the steps.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps run late from Valletta; for clubs travel to Paceville in St Julian's.
Many smaller venues close on Monday and Tuesday in winter.