Drinking in Valencia happens later and longer than in most Spanish cities. The big nightlife districts are the El Carmen quarter inside the old walls (Calle Caballeros, Plaza del Tossal) for relaxed late drinks, Ruzafa for vermouth and craft beer earlier in the evening, and the marina and beach area in summer for after-midnight clubs.
The signature drink to order is agua de Valencia — orange juice, cava, vodka, and gin, served by the jug. It looks innocent and is not. Horchata, the cold tiger-nut milk served with fartón pastries, is the daytime equivalent.
For coffee, Ruzafa is now serious about specialty roasters; for traditional cafés con leche, the old places around Plaza de la Reina and Mercado Central still do it well. Cocktail bars cluster in the Ensanche and along Calle Caballeros.