Sónar maintains a firm commitment to the festival’s attendees and works to offer our audience the best possible experience year after year. This commitment also extends to our staff, suppliers, collaborators, artists and participants.

Punt Lila and LGTBIQ+ / ‘No Callem’ Protocol

At Sónar, we have a ZERO TOLERANCE policy towards discrimination, harassment and abuse in any form. We do not tolerate any discriminatory behaviour based on race, gender, age, nationality, culture, religion or sexual orientation. We work to ensure that artists, workers and attendees feel safe and welcome.

We adhere to the ‘No Callem’ protocol by Barcelona City Council to address sexist violence and, specifically, sexual and LGBTI-phobic violence. Check the 11 key points of the protocol here.

If at Sónar you experience or witness an (attempted) assault or inappropriate behaviour, either physical or verbal, please head to the Punt Lila, where trained staff are available to help. This year we’ve teamed up with Cooperativa Doble Vía to help safeguard the safety of all attendees and provide a space where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, non-binary and intersex people can express and enjoy themselves with complete freedom.

Substance analysis and advice 

Safety is a priority for Sónar, and so we offer an information, awareness and support service on the use of alcohol and other substances in nightlife venues, addressing physical, mental, emotional and sexual health, as well as self-care and pleasure. Located next to the Safe Space, at the back of the SonarClub dancefloor, you’ll find a team of trained staff, who can provide awareness information and self-care materials (including earplugs, free breathalysers, condoms, sanitary towels and tampons).

You’ll also find a substance-testing laboratory, where samples can be handed in for analysis and subsequent return. The results will be communicated individually as part of our preventive strategy, along with guidance on care and responsible use to avoid situations that pose a health risk. The activity is carried out in coordination with the teams of Punt de Prevenció i Festa Segura.

Safe space

At Sónar, we offer a Safe space, designed for physical and emotional recovery and staffed by healthcare staff with psychological training, who are dedicated to working in nightlife. Located away from lights, sound, stimuli, and crowded spaces, it features sofas, fans and sugary drinks to help people calm down, cool down and recover.. Check where the Safe space is here.

Q de Festa! quality label

Since 2012, Sónar has held Q de Festa! quality label, awarded by the Agència de Salut Pública de la Generalitat de Catalunya (part of Party+ - The European Network For Safer Party Labels), which recognises venues that have resources in place to look after health, wellbeing and equality.

We offer trained staff, access to free drinking water, non-alcoholic drinks, food, earplugs, advice on substance use, condoms, breathalysers and a protocol for the prevention, detection and handling of sexist violence.

At Sónar, we recommend keeping the following in mind to make the most of your experiences:

●      protect your skin during the day with sunscreen, and use sunglasses and earplugs;

●      stay hydrated: there are multiple free drinking water fountains located throughout the venue;

●      take breaks;

●      eat something, we have a variety of sweet and savoury options available;

●      agree on a place to meet up with your friends in case you get separated - there’s also a place to charge your phone at the Cutty Sark stand;

●      enjoy yourself, but respect other people’s boundaries. If you witness or experience any form of sexual aggression or harassment, head to the Punt Lila;

●      if something makes you feel unwell, ask the staff for help;

●      some substances are stronger than others. Educate yourself at the substance-testing and advice point, which will be run by Avatars Chemist and Nectar Spectra;

●      if you drink or use substances, don’t drive: make use of public transport;

●      respect your own physical and emotional needs and look after the people around you.