Malta gay bars

Dates: September 5 – 15, 2025.

Malta Carnival – Carnival might not be officially exclusive to LGBTQ+ folk, but they sure do come out in force for the fabulous celebration in late February and early March.

The Cittadella is Victoria’s castle and was even a military installation in the late 1800s, offering a spectacular 360-degree view of the island. These complexes date back thousands of years, making them exceptional attractions you can find on your trip. Like most gay clubs, they hold special events from time to time, which include international DJs, drag queens, and go-go boys.

Lollipop – Easily the best club night on the island for queer people.

The rabbit is especially tasty!

Republic 59 – If you’re in Valletta and fancy pushing the boat out a little for some fine dining in the evening, then Republic 59 is a wonderful choice. With just under half a million inhabitants, it’s the fifth smallest country in the world and the smallest in the EU, yet it’s impossible to do everything in just one short visit.

Tickets cost €4.65 during the day and €4.05 by night – remember to bring ID, though, as it is required to board the ferry.

Gay Hotels in Malta

There are no official gay hotels in Malta, but pretty much all of them are gay-friendly. The Maltese might not have gone as far as to be oblivious to public displays of affection from same-sex couples but on the whole we’d say the island is pretty ‘gay-friendly’.

What that means is gay couples can go pretty much where they like without fear of being ostracised, or hassled, but also that venues and hotels have recently emerged on the scene to cater more specifically for the gay market.

Nightlife, for example, on Malta centres around the area of Paceville and among the many pubs and clubs here you’ll find the odd gay bar that provides a pleasant atmosphere and feature live singers, DJs, and drag artists for a night of multi-coloured pleasure. Klozet, in Ball Street, and Chandelier, in Dragonara Road, are a couple of prime examples to look out for.

Other popular venues in other areas are Saints Bar, in Hamrun, an established haunt of the transvestite crowd, while Tom Bar, which is on the edge of Valletta caters for an almost exclusively gay crowd.

In St Julian’s you need to seek out O Bar & Spa - an innovative venue with the clue in the door policy.

The Ggantija Temples, Hagar Qim, and Borg in-Nadur are some of the most unique temples you can discover in Malta.

Outside of Valletta, browse through the many ancient temples and World War II monuments. The main parades take place both in Valletta and Floriana, which have a rivalry to put on the most flamboyant show.

This ancient bastion (yes - a bastion!) stands as one of the most remarkable landmarks in Valletta. Dates: August 23, September 13/14/20, October 25, November 29, December 20.

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The food is great (the caponata especially), and it has perfect sea views, where you can even walk down to the water and take a dip.
Malta Gay Bars and Clubs
Maori Bar – This little bar isn’t officially gay, but it might as well be, as it is the favored hangout of LGBTQ+ residents on the island, as the rainbow flags attest to.

Inside is a labyrinth of stone gates, narrow alleys, expansive courtyards, medieval churches, and honey-colored buildings.

Rainbow Getaways proudly help travelers of the LGBTQ community (and our allies) research, plan, and book incredible vacations where you feel confident and comfortable enjoying and exploring your destination. Guests can make use of the five outdoor pools, heated indoor pool, sauna, gym, wellness facilities, and its whopping ten places to eat – many with views over the bay below.

This old-fashioned restaurant in Vittoriosa/Birgu is for those looking to savor the purest of the pure Maltese cuisine, as it only serves traditional food from the country. The friendly tour guide provides a unique perspective on the city center, some lesser-known parts on the outskirts of town, and even the former red-light district.Book tour →
Valletta Street Food and LGBTIQ+ History Tour – Q Travel Malta also offers a slightly longer tour (3 hours) that combines the city’s rich culinary traditions with a walk through its LGBTQ+ past.

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Restaurants and Cafes
Malta is also known for its great food, which is often described as Italian style with a French touch or “Frenchified Italian.” Valletta offers hundreds of cafés, bars, and restaurants to choose from, serving such yummy delicacies as rabbit stew and fish pies. Now you can relax in the luxury of a spa while taking in the history around you.

And so, the people are willing to welcome gay tourists along with any other kind because being friendly is what they do here.

So, the view of homosexuality is refreshingly no longer the taboo that it used to be as recently as a couple of decades ago, and any remaining prejudice is diminishing year on year. Within its grounds, you’ll find 7 acres of romantic gardens as well as an infinity pool, a swanky lounge, a classy bar, and two restaurants offering a menu that features a combination of Maltese and Mediterranean dishes.

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Three Cities: Gays vs. This changeable history can be seen in its architecture, culture, and the vast collections on display in its many museums.