A brief historical note: Candy Darling was a trans icon, one of Andy Warhol’s eternal muses, and a key figure in the New York counterculture of the 1960s and 70s. Her legacy of subversive glamour and artistic rebellion lives on — with a Barcelona twist — in the bar that bears her name, just steps from Plaça Universitat.
This indie queer spot is a loudspeaker for dissenting voices and a creative refuge where anything goes. With its informal aesthetic and underground spirit, Candy Darling Bar blends a refined musical taste — from house to alternative pop DJ sets — with an ever-evolving program: art on the walls, pop-up markets, live music, poetry, burlesque, drag shows, talks, bingo nights, book launches, stand-up, and whatever else the night calls for.
No flashy neon signs mark its entrance — just a subtle pink triangle, nodding to those clandestine clubs of the past that relied on quiet symbols to attract patrons without drawing attention. Step inside and you’re greeted by a narrow white corridor — reminiscent of a warehouse back door — leading to a cozy interior with a stage ready for action, a sofa area to unwind, and a bar that serves up original cocktails to a crowd that’s eclectic, open-minded, and beyond labels. This LGBTIQ+ hub in Barcelona is where art, nightlife, and disobedience come together — and where the only rule is to have a damn good time.
Here, the community expresses itself, is heard, and celebrated. Candy Darling is a living, breathing space of freedom and creativity. It breaks away from the predominantly masculine energy of the Gayxample and invites new ways of queering the night in Barcelona. As Candy herself once said: “You must always be yourself. No matter what the price.”