Paceville, located in St Julian’s, Malta, is today the island’s undisputed nightlife capital. For decades, it has been the epicentre of clubbing, music, youth culture and late-night energy. But Paceville did not appear overnight — its transformation is the result of generations of bars, legendary clubs, underground venues and cultural shifts.
This is the true story of Paceville — from quiet coastal land to Malta’s most iconic nightlife district.
Before the Clubs: Paceville’s Early Roots (1950s–1960s)
Before neon lights and DJs, Paceville was a quiet area of land close to Spinola and St Julian’s Bay. Its name comes from Dr Giuseppe Pace, who built residences in the area in the early 20th century.
In the 1950s, the first signs of nightlife appeared — not as clubs, but as simple bars catering mainly to locals and British servicemen stationed in Malta.
Early venues remembered in local history include:
Tony’s Bar
Joe’s Bar (later Barcelona)
Dick’s Bar
These places were social hubs rather than party venues, but they laid the foundations for Paceville’s future identity as a place where people gathered after dark.
Tourism & Transformation (1970s–1980s)
As tourism increased in the 1970s, Paceville began to change. Nearby hotels and entertainment developments attracted international visitors, and bars slowly evolved into music-driven nightlife venues.
Some of the early clubbing-era names included:
Coconut Grove
Tigullio
The Alley
This era marked the moment when Paceville shifted from a drinking area into a destination for nightlife — with dance floors, DJs and late closing hours becoming the norm
The Golden Age of Paceville (Late 1980s–1990s)
For many Maltese, the late 1980s and 1990s represent the golden age of Paceville. This was when clubbing culture truly exploded, shaping generations of nightlife memories.
Legendary clubs from this era include:
Axis — often cited as the most influential club in Paceville’s history
Footloose
Styx II
Wild Koyote
Zanzi Bar
BJs
These venues weren’t just clubs — they were cultural landmarks. Weekends in Paceville became a rite of passage for Maltese youth, and nightlife became a central part of social life.
The Underground & Alternative Era (Late 1990s–Early 2000s)
As mainstream clubbing thrived, Paceville also developed a counter-scene — venues that catered to alternative crowds and underground music lovers.
Two of the most talked-about clubs from this era were:
Generator
Generator was Paceville’s underground heartbeat. Known for techno, house, drum & bass and alternative electronic music, it attracted a loyal crowd and helped shape Malta’s electronic music scene.
Bamboo
Bamboo operated as a bar-club hybrid and became famous as both a pre-club and after-club meeting point. Its relaxed but chaotic atmosphere made it one of the most fondly remembered venues in Paceville history.
These clubs proved that Paceville was more than commercial nightlife — it was also about music culture and community.
The Icons That Survived: Clubs That Defined Paceville
Havana Club Malta
Havana Club Malta is one of Paceville’s most iconic and longest-running nightclubs. Opening in the late 1990s, it has survived multiple nightlife generations, refurbishments and changing trends.
Known for commercial hits, R&B and hip-hop, Havana remains a cornerstone of Paceville nightlife and a reference point when people talk about Malta’s clubbing history.
Other long-standing venues include:
Sky Club — one of the largest clubs in Malta
Hugo’s Terrace — open-air party culture in the heart of Paceville
These venues helped transition Paceville into a high-capacity, international nightlife destination.
Modern Paceville (2010s–Today)
Paceville is not just a party zone — it is a living timeline of Malta’s social and cultural evolution. From early bars to legendary clubs, underground movements and modern super-venues, every era left its mark.
Many of the clubs may be gone, but the memories — and their influence — remain deeply rooted in Malta’s nightlife identity.
Today, Paceville is a dense nightlife district packed with clubs, lounges, bars and entertainment venues. It attracts:
International tourists
VIP clients
Igaming Industry
Erasmus students
Locals
Bachelor & hen parties
Modern nightlife focuses on VIP tables, social media presence, international DJs and curated experiences, while still sitting on decades of history.
All Nightclubs Currently Open in Paceville, Malta.
These are the nightclubs currently open in Paceville St Julians Malta (as at Jan 2026)
- Shadow Club Malta – known with locals, full every weekend with Maltese Events and VIP service
- Havana Club Malta – Malta’s most iconic nightclub complex. 4 rooms; Havana Main Room, ClubH, Cuba and Room2. Capacity 2500 people.
- Footloose Malta – Malta’s favorite nightclub with language schools and Erasmus exchange students. Capacity 600 people.
- Passion Club Malta – Open for organized events, staff parties, Igaming events. An elite looking club. Capacity 350 people.
- ClubH – Known for brilliant VIP service, French, EDM and top hits focused. Capacity 500 people.
- Cuba – A room inside Havana Club Malta Complex. Dedicated for reggaeton, brazillian, colombian and latino hits. Capacity 400 people.
- Qube – Known for reggaeton hits. Capacity 150people.
- Club77– Known for Afrobeats vibes. Capacity 300 people.
- Hive Club Malta – Malta’s Newest nightclub with amazing setup and LED Screens, hosting the hottest events of house,techhouse and techno music. Capacity 600 people.
- Twenty Two – Situated in Hilton Tower. Open for special organised events. Capacity 400 people.
- Toy Room Malta – Foreign brand located in Paceville. Capacity 1000 people.
- Nordic Bar – A fun bar playing singalongs. Capacity 200 people.
- Native Bar – A fun bar playing reggaeton and latino hits. Capacity 300 people.
- Tokyo Club Malta – An intimate bar playing international hits. Capacity 200 people.
- Baccos – A chill down, cocktail based club, playing electronic music. Capacity 350 people.
- Clique Malta – Resident techno DJs. Capacity 350 people.
- Truth – A Club lounge concept playing house, afro house, afrobeats, dance
- Social Fun Bar – the best pre drinks spot in Paceville. beerpong, karaoke, trivia games, special drink offers, football streaming. Capacity 250 people.
Final Thoughts
Paceville’s story is one of constant reinvention. It has adapted to new generations while preserving the energy that made it famous in the first place. Whether you experienced Axis in the 90s, Generator in its underground days, or Havana Club Malta today, Paceville remains where Malta comes alive after dark.