Valencia is definitely one of the greatest party cities in Spain. Known for its outgoing and amazing people, a perfect weather all year long and its massive nightclubs, Valencia is the perfect city to listen to the best techno from sunset till dawn. If you don’t trust me, do some research on Valencia’s ancient clubbing history.
To reach the roots of this fame we must go back to the legendary ‘Ruta del Bakalao‘. Back when Ibiza was still virgin, during the early 80s and then into the 90s, Valencia was already known for being the Spanish capital of endless parties, excellent experimental music, the best DJ’s, and enormous venues located along the coastal route of El Saler (CV-500), from La Ribarroja to Les Palmeretes. Most of these clubs are now closed but you can still find some historic places and new projects happening that are bringing back the magic of those years. The mediterranean city still keeps that spirit alive thanks to the younger generations who have kept on dancing.
1. Barraca Music
Barraca is the most legendary Valencian club. Period. Not only that, but a real institution in the national techno circuit. Second State duo Pan-Pot, Music On founder and living legend Marco Carola, the EQ genius of Oscar Mulero or the banging techno of Julian Jeweil… are only a few of the masters who have lived the Barraca experience. The venue opened in 1965 and had an incredible boom in the 80s, when it was established as the most important nightclub of the Movida Valenciana, during the famous “Ruta Destroy“. It’s located in the town of Les Palmeretes on the coast of Valencia (Sueca, Valencia), a few meters from the beach. Rumors went around saying it was going to close in 2014, but it reopened its doors.
At the beggining it was just one room but it started to add more to accomodate the high demand. Nowadays it has 4 separate rooms, each with its own unique touch. The “Barraca” room is the oldest out of the four, which has a terrace just next to it (it’ll remind you of a very famous Ibiza terrace). Then you’ll find the ‘Showroom‘, the smallest one, with a capacity of 300 people.
But the real love of the ‘barraqueros’ is the “Circo” room, with the emblematic horse in the middle of it. The sound can get extremely powerful (up to 45.000 W) and with a capacity of 1.200 people, you’ll be impressed by the size of it. However, during the summer it shuts down its doors and organize parties in other venues.
A techno temple that still makes history every weekend. Do not go through the hassle of waiting in the queue and skip the line with your tickets.
2. Fayer
Okay Fayer is not actually a club, it’s a brand created by Valencia-native and widely recognized DJ and producer Edu Imbernon, who organizes parties at various venues (Moon, High Cube…), owns a record label and a clothing brand. A staple of the Valencian night, the Fayer parties bring the best acts from the deep and tech house spectrum once a month to its loyal fans. Fayer is a real cult in the city and due to very good reasons.
The line ups they curate are unreal with artists like Âme, the magic acid touch of Tiga, the always extravagant Damian Lazarus or the brain behind Innervisions, Dixon… and the Fayer residents (Edu himself, Mike Gannu and Almost Human) of course, who are at the top of their game right now. You can expect deep melodic sets, full of emotional breakdowns and powerful synth stabs that will take you on a trip.
They usually sell out before the night of the event so make sure you jump on tickets before it’s too late!
3. La3
La3 is another institution in Valencia. Providing a balance between the finest techno with the likes of ‘The Wizard’ Jeff Mills, Ellen Allien, Nina Kraviz or Berghain resident Ryan Elliot, some of the best dubstep and electro from A-Trak or Flux Pavilion and even some Indie music, this venue caters music lovers in general. But don’t get me wrong, the house and techno nights have nothing to envy to those of Barraca or Fayer. A great atmosphere awaits inside, together with a strong soundsystem that will make you dance to the pounding techno beats until the sunrise. 100% recommended.
4. Hotel82
Again, not actually a club/venue, but rather a party. The concept of Hotel 82 started out as being chic private parties but it has now opened up to the public and is home to the elrow events in Valencia. You can catch national and international talent such as UNER, Technasia or Darius Syrossian spinning some quality tech house grooves. A must visit if you love house music!
5. theBasement
Owning a venue in the Valencian techno scene isn’t really the norm. Yet again, theBasement is another party that organizes events in the different venues available in the city. Oh and they have a music blog too if you want to check it out!
Here you can expect straight up house and deep house from local and international artists, and all their events work under the secret location system. That is, you don’t know where the party is going to happen until the very last few hours before it takes place. Plus, you only get access to that information if you buy a ticket in advance. Nonconformist and unusual sites: from castles, to farmhouses, fields and inns: the last-minute mystery is what makes it all so exciting. It’s a different type of clubbing that you should definitely experience. Long live theBasement!