Nightlife in Salamanca, the ultimate Spanish student life

For many international students Salamanca is the ideal city to study Spanish. And the fact that the Salmantinos speak Spanish in the purist way, is not the only reason for this. Also the rich nightlife plays an important role. Because partying is something they can do really well in Salamanca. After six weeks of studying Spanish in Salamanca last year, I was able to taste the local nightlife. In this post I will shine my light on some options for a pleasant night out in Salamanca.

Like in every major student city, also in Salamanca partying is possible every night. Working day or weekend, the more than 3000 bars and 50.000 students guarantee a pleasant party atmosphere on a daily basis. In Spain my party nights start with tapas. The best tapas bars in Salamanca I found in the old city centre and at the 'Calle Van Dyck'. A trick I use in every Spanish town during my year in Spain is find a bar that is crowded by a lot of local people. Although most of the Spaniards have a extensive dinner after their tapas, I have had enough and I think it is time for fiesta.

In Salamanca you meet your friends under the clock. The clock? Yes, the one of Plaza Mayor, the official meeting point in Salamanca. During the break in the cafeteria of my school we made plans for the night. Were you thinking at school that you would meet ten people, under the clock it becomes clear that the amount of students has tripled. Although almost every student comes alone to Spain, before they realize it they have an enormous network.

First thing after meeting under the clock, was how surpringly, diving into a bar. An popular place for international students is Irish Pub O'Hara's, very close to the Plaza Mayor. Always fun and enjoyable, but it's nice to visit a few more Spanish places as well. And besides, during working days this is friendlier for your wallet. A very good Spanish invention the 'Bara Libre' Concept. When entering a bar, I paid three (for beer) or six euros (when preferring mixed drinks) and next it was drinking how much you want, for free.

Who likes to dance can go to 'El Savor'. This is the place to be if you like salsa, meringue or samba. Every week you can attend salsa courses. Even me, who dances like as a wooden Dutch doll, dared to move my feet on the small dance floor of this bar.

Though there are more than 3.000 bars in Salamanca, here I will post some places I visited during my weeks of learning Spanish in Salamanca. Hopefully it can be helpful when you spend your weeks in this special Spanish student town.

Medievo: A dance bar in medieval style, with Bara Libres on working days. A popular place for both Spanish people and international students. The music is a mix of Spanish and international commercial music.  Gran Vía, 93

The Irish Rover: Fully packed almost every night with mostly international students, located near the old and new university, lots of popular music in an odd mix (from Ace of base – do you remember them – to some old and new 50 Cent hip hop and other commercial pop music. And especially for people who like to draw some attention, if there are now shows, dancing on the podium is allowed. Serranos, 9 Delicatessen On of the trendiest hotspots of Salamanca. Including modern furnishing, 'the dj de la casa' who plays recent dance music and a comfortable sofa on which you can flop and chill out. And when the sun is still shining outside, Delicatessen is a good location for enjoying a 'café solo' or 'con leche' and have a not too expensive lunch. Meléndez, 25 bajo

Camelot: This mix of a bar and discotheque is always crowded. On college days you are able to meet some locals, but during the weekend international students take over the place. On regular basis they organise theme parties.  Bordadores, 3

Amadeus: Very Spanish. Nice if you want to hear something else than the music you can here in your own country. Lots of Spanish music and Spanish speaking chicos and chicas. The location is not too big and therefore cosy crowded early in the night.This is one of the Spanish bars where you can get your second mixed drink for free.  Condes de Crespo Rascón, 2

Puerto de Chus: Because I studied at don Quijote language school, I've visited this place a couple of times. Probably it had something to do with the fact our teachers gave us coupons for free drinks every week. The dj plays a lot of popular international music and occasionally some Spanish tunes. And when I was there, a bottle of Heineken costed only one euro. So it's not very strange this bar attracts a lot of international students. Plaza San Julian, 4

Tin Tin: A bar in the middle of the historic city center, close to the Plaza Mayor. Tin Tin is very nice decorated bar with a lot of attributes of this comic character. Of course this is ideal for everyone who always dreamed about having a role in a comic or just for people who like to have a good party. Isla de la Rúa, 3

Circus: This club gets crowded from five in the morning with locals and international students. On Saturdays you mostly have to pay your ticket, not too much, only three euros.  During other Salamancan party nights you can get in for free and also here your second drink is for free. The music is mainly Spanish, but you'll certainly hear some dance or techno. Correhuela, 11

Buda: An oriental experience in the north of Spain. The chill out places are not very luxurious, but whether you're drinking a special thee or an alcoholic beverage, the music and atmosphere will bring you in a very relaxing mood. Plaza de San Boal, 5

Birdland Jazz: And if noisy bars with international and Spanish music are not for you and you prefer jazz, blues or latin music, you can have a good time in Birdland Jazz. Two stories packed with totally relaxed visitors. An excellent place to start your night out and have a chat and drink with your Spanish studying or local friends. Gran Vía, 5

O'Hara's: Just like the Puerta de Chus a meeting point for those people who study Spanish in Salamanca. Besides you can find some Spaniards. You can watch Spanish and other European football on big screens and have a beer. A place where a lot of people go after meeting under the clock. The Plaza Mayor is just a few meters away. Zamora, 14

El Savor: You should be dancing yeah! Ideal spot for dance addicts or them who want to learn it. Free salsa, samba or meringue courses are available. The most of the time free accessible live performances are definitely worth a visit. Visitors: much locals and dance willing international students. San Justo, 28

Would you like to follow my year in Spain? For more stories and photos surf to my personal blog at: http://www.tospainafterstudy.blogspot.com.