Going-out guide
Nightclub guest lists in Spain: how they work
In short
- A guest list («lista») is a free sign-up with your name: you get in free, or at a reduced price, if you arrive before the time the list sets.
- In Madrid, 91% of the lists are free entry (416 of 457 on 17 October 2026); the rest charge at the door, usually about €20 with a drink.
- The most common cut-off time is 1:00 am, then 12:30 am and 1:30 am. After that, the list is no longer valid and you pay the door price.
- Almost every list is «subject to capacity»: if the club fills up, ticket holders go first.
- There are lists for everyone, girls-only, boys-only, birthday lists and VIP lists. Whether a drink is included is in each list’s description.
- On this website you sign up on the party’s page with your name and email, and you get your access code at once.
What is a nightclub guest list?
A guest list is a named invitation for one specific party. You sign up beforehand and, at the door, you show your code or say your name. In exchange you get in free, or with a special offer, as long as you arrive before the cut-off time.
Clubs use lists to fill the dance floor early in the night, when there are still few people; for you, it’s a way to skip the ticket if you don’t mind arriving early. That’s why almost every list expires around midnight or soon after.
A list is not a ticket: it doesn’t guarantee entry if the club fills up, and the club can close it or change its conditions. If you need a guaranteed place (a big night, a large group), buy a ticket.
Until what time is a guest list valid?
Each list has its own cut-off time, and it’s the first thing to check. In the Madrid lists on sale on 17 October 2026, the most frequent times were:
| Cut-off time | Lists |
|---|---|
| 1:00 am | 163 |
| 12:30 am | 89 |
| 1:30 am | 58 |
| 2:00 am | 19 |
| Midnight or earlier | 75, mostly afternoon parties and dinners |
The time is when you get in, not when you join the queue. Some lists also include a drink only until a certain time.
Are guest lists free?
Signing up is always free. Getting in almost always is: 416 of the 457 Madrid lists we checked were free entry (91%). The other 41 charged a reduced price at the door, €20 median, usually with a drink.
What a free list usually doesn’t include is the drink: many say «free entry, no drink». If you want to drink, compare with the advance ticket, which often includes one or two drinks for little more.
Types of lists
- Free list: free entry until a set time, usually without a drink.
- List with a drink or offer: free entry with a drink, or a deal such as 2 drinks for €15, until a set time.
- Girls-only or boys-only list: in Madrid there are far more girls-only lists (118) than boys-only lists (29). In a mixed group, everyone needs their own list or ticket.
- Pay-at-the-door list: signing up is free, but you pay a reduced price at the door.
- Birthday list: free entry or a table with a bottle for whoever has a birthday that week, with a minimum group size.
How to sign up for a guest list
- Open the party’s page (from the club’s page or from «This week» on the home page).
- Press «Free guest list» or «Join the guest list» and choose your list.
- Enter your full name and email. If you’re several people, each one signs up with their own details.
- You get the access code on screen and by email. Keep it on your phone and show it at the door with your ID.
Conditions almost every list shares
- Subject to capacity: if the club fills up, ticket holders go first.
- Right of admission: the list doesn’t exempt you from the minimum age or the dress code. See the dress code guide and the minimum age guide.
- It can be cancelled: many clubs warn they may close the list without notice.
- It’s personal: the code belongs to the person who signed up.
For a big group, a VIP table may work better: see how VIP tables work and what they cost.
Frequently asked questions
The questions people ask most
What is a nightclub guest list in Spain?
A named invitation for a specific party: you sign up beforehand and get in free or at a reduced price if you arrive before the list’s cut-off time.
Are nightclub guest lists free in Spain?
Signing up is always free and getting in usually is: in Madrid, 91% of the lists were free entry on 17 October 2026. The rest charge a reduced price at the door, usually with a drink.
Until what time is a guest list valid?
It depends on the list. In Madrid the most common cut-off time is 1:00 am, followed by 12:30 am and 1:30 am. It’s the time to get inside, not to join the queue.
What happens if I arrive late with a guest list?
Usually the list is no longer valid and you have to pay the door price, which tends to be higher than the advance ticket.
Can they refuse entry if I’m on the list?
Yes. Lists are subject to capacity and to the club’s admission rules: if it’s full, ticket holders go first, and you must meet the minimum age and the dress code.
How do I sign up for a guest list?
On the party’s page on this website, under «Free guest list» or «Join the guest list», with your name and email. You get the access code at once.