Vaya Vaya

Vaya Vaya is a long-running pub on Calle Conde de Altea, number 62, in the Cánovas area of Valencia's Eixample, one of the city's classic streets for going out. It works at two speeds: in the afternoon it is a relaxed spot with a terrace for a beer or an early drink, and as the night goes on the music goes up and it turns into a lively pub where people end up dancing between the tables.

There is no stage, no line-up and no pretension. The music is commercial and party hits, Spanish and international songs that everyone knows, played at a volume that gets groups moving. The space holds around 200 people and fills up quickly at peak times. Guests regularly mention well-poured drinks, competitive prices and friendly bar staff, which goes a long way to explaining its loyal local following.

Prices are one of its main draws. Drinks are cheap for the area, with beers and simple drinks usually in the range of 3 to 6 euros, and there is a full bar of beers, wines and mixed drinks. That makes it a popular choice for afterworks, birthdays and large groups of friends who want to keep the budget under control before moving on to a club, or who simply want to stay in one place all night.

The crowd is a mix of locals of different ages, students and visitors in Valencia for a weekend night out. There is no formal dress code; people come as they are, from office clothes to a night-out look. Entry is for over-18s, and there is security staff on the door when it gets busy, which regulars tend to appreciate.

Practical tips: according to its usual schedule, Vaya Vaya opens every day from the late afternoon, earlier on Saturdays and Sundays, and stays open until around half past three during the week and four at weekends, so it works both as a first stop and as a place to finish the night. The terrace is best early in the evening. From here, the clubs of Plaza de Cánovas and the cocktail bars of Calle Almirante Cadarso are a couple of minutes away on foot, and Ruzafa is also close.