Exploring Valletta’s Nightlife Scene

The historic districts of cities are often a snooze after dark when all the tourists clear out. But not Valletta, Malta’s quaint little capital. Here, when the sun goes down over the island, the lights come on in the countless cafes, bars, and pubs that fill the Valletta’s cobbled streets and narrow alleyways. 

While it was impossible to try all of these on a first or even a twenty-first visit to Malta, here are some of the liveliest and seemingly most popular establishments I encountered when walking around Valetta at night. 

Merchants Street (Triq il-Merkanti)

• La Bottega – Lots of outdoor seating, great music, nice uplighting
• Cheeky Monkey – Gastropub, really good food, beers on tap

Old Theatre Street (Triq tat Teatru l-Antik)

• City Crown – Corner spot, great gin selection and craft beers
• The Cage – Across from City Crown, good pastas, more cocktails
• Taproom – More restaurant despite the name, still an extensive bar
• 67 Kapitali – Cafe by day, bar by night, sign says it all (see last photo)

Straight Street (Triq id-Dejqa)

• Tico-Tico – Good cocktails and bar food with plush red couches outside
• Rocks – Wine bar with a super cool arched stone interior
• Alchemy – Really (really!) unique cocktail bar
• The Kennedy – Great aesthetics, directly underneath ‘The Gut’ balcony