With a student population large for the island’s size, Malta’s nightlife runs year-round, not just in summer. Here’s what it’s actually like once you’re there.
Where it happens: Paceville
Almost everything is in Paceville, a neighbourhood inside St Julian’s packed with bars and clubs. It’s the default spot for Erasmus students from across Europe, and most nights out start and end here regardless of where you began the evening.
What time does it start?
Clubs fill up from around midnight to 4am. Most students pre-drink from 10 or 11pm, since arriving at a club before midnight usually means an empty room.
The clubs
Reggaeton
Qube, Native and Vigilant are the main options, all in Paceville.
Techno
Playground is the go-to, known for after-hours parties, it’s usually the only club still open at 6am. Liquid Club, in San Gwann, is the other main techno venue, a bit further out from the rest.
The pubs
Surfside, in Sliema, is popular with Erasmus students specifically because ESN runs a weekly meet-up there on Mondays, a reliable way to meet people from across Europe early in your stay.
Bellini, in Paceville, is known for deals like 60 shots for €20, which sounds like a typo but is genuinely the kind of pricing you’ll find.
Beyond these two, both the Sliema seafront and Paceville itself have enough bars that walking either one turns up plenty of options.
Watching football
Black Gold, on the Sliema seafront, is the best-known spot for catching a match, though there are others nearby too.
What a night out actually costs
High season: still cheap by most European standards. Entry runs around €5 with a drink included at some clubs; others are free depending on how busy the season is.
Low season: entry to most Paceville clubs is free, and some places offer free drinks on entry on weekdays.
Cocktails: small, but around €3.50.
Shots: genuinely cheap. A tray of 12 tequila shots runs about €12 in clubs, and pub deals like Bellini’s 60-for-€20 aren’t unusual.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paceville the only place to go out in Malta?
It’s the main hub by far, but Sliema’s seafront has a solid pub scene of its own if you want something quieter than a club.
How much does a night out in Malta cost?
Entry is typically free or around €5, cocktails run about €3.50, and shots are cheap enough that a group can drink well for very little.
When should I arrive at a club?
Not before midnight, most fill up between then and 4am. Pre-drinking from 10 or 11pm is the norm.
Where to go next
Things you must know before going to Malta
The basics worth knowing before you land.
Rooms for students in Malta
If Paceville access matters to you, St Julian’s and Swieqi put you closest to it.
