Johnny Maracas

Johnny Maracas is a Latin bar at Carrer dels Cavallers 39, the main street of El Carmen, the old town's nightlife quarter. Calle Caballeros is lined with bars, and on weekend nights it fills with people moving between them; Johnny Maracas is the stop on the street where the music turns Latin and people start dancing rather than just talking over a drink.

It is a small place, with room for around 80 people, so it feels busy quickly and the line between bar and dance floor disappears as the night goes on. The look and the soundtrack lean Caribbean, and that is the whole point: guides to the city describe it as the place for a fun, Latin-inspired night, and reviewers regularly mention a DJ who keeps the music varied and danceable. Do not expect a club sound system or big production; this is a bar with rhythm.

The music centres on salsa and other Latin styles, with reggaeton taking over later in the night. The cocktail list is part of the appeal, with mojitos as the house classic and Agua de Valencia, the local mix of cava or sparkling wine, orange juice, vodka and gin, which is worth trying at least once if you are visiting the city.

The crowd is mixed: Valencians out with friends, students and plenty of visitors exploring El Carmen. Dress is casual, there is no particular door policy beyond the usual, and the minimum age is 18, so carry ID. It suits groups who want to dance without paying club prices or committing to a late-night venue, and it is an easy place to start or end a night in the old town.

The bar opens every evening and stays open late, with later closing on Fridays and Saturdays; exact times can change, so check its Instagram account before going. Drinks generally cost between €5 and €12, although some reviewers find the cocktails on the pricey side, so have a look at the menu first. For larger groups it is worth calling ahead. It gets lively after eleven, especially on weekends, and from here it is a short walk to Plaza de la Virgen, Plaza del Tossal and the rest of El Carmen's bars, which makes it easy to combine with dinner in the neighbourhood and a club afterwards.