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| Bars
& Cafés |
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Barcelona’s social culture revolves around
its bars and cafés – they are
the places people go to meet and drink coffee or something
stronger with friends, do business or just to contemplate
life over a café solo.
Barcelonans are not heavy drinkers – you will
rarely see them drunk – but they do have a drinking
culture and this is not bounded by the pub hours as
in the UK. It is commonplace for locals to have
a cerveca (beer), glass of vino or carajillo (espresso
with a shot of spirit, usually whisky) with their breakfast. |
Because of this, the difference between a bar and a
café in Barcelona (and across Spain) is a blurred
one, with almost all cafés serving alcohol and
all bars serving coffee. The defining factor for
us is more opening times than what they sell: the cafés
open early enough for breakfast croissants, the bars
opening, and closing much later – even by this
definition, however, it can be difficult to classify
them.
As with the restaurants, we strongly recommend you
steer clear of the bars and cafés on La Rambla
itself, where prices go through the roof and quality
is poor.
For a full map of the Bars reviewed here, visit our
Barcelona
Update Bars and Cafés map page. |
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View bar and
café reviews by area:
Barri Gotic
El Raval
El Born
Barceloneta
Eixample
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View our top
Barcelona bars and cafés for:
Free WIFI
Outside space
Sports
Cocktails
Traditional Barcelona
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| Barri
Gotic |
Barri Gotic
has bars and cafés on virtually every street
corner and in every winding alley – although
the ones that are only open late are completely
shuttered over and not even recognisable as bars
until they open up.
For the main set of bars and cafés, trace
a path from Plaza Sant Jaume, along Carrer de
Ferran, Carrer d’Avigno and Carrer d’En
Gignàs. The streets here are
teaming with little places and if you venture
into the area made up by the square that they
trace you will find even more, often less touristy,
cheaper and with more atmosphere. Go on - have
a wander - you're bound to stumble across a gem
or two.
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Ginger
Lledo,
2, Palma de Sant Just
Open: Tues - Sat 7pm - late; closed Sun and Mon
Tel: 93-310 53 09
Ginger has been in all of the tourist guides
for years and it shows - there are more foreigners
than locals in these days and the prices are a
little above most of the less well known places.
If you can get over this, though, it does manage
to retain its slightly underground and backstreet
feel and the large, comfortable seats are somewhat
of a rarity in the area. There is also a very
limited amount of tapas available when most have
stopped serving, although our advice would be
to stick to the drinks unless you are desperate.
Good for a late night stop off, for some relaxed
drinks after eating. |
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Karma
Placa
Reial, 10
Open: Tues - Sun 12pm - 5.30am; closed Mon
Tel: 93-302 56 80
www.karmadisco.com
A small, friendly bar in the daytime, Karma has
the standout benefit of being the only bar on
the sunny side of Plaza Reial. In other ways it
is no different from the dozen or so bars around
the Plaza, but this location alone makes it worth
a visit for the sun worshippers among you for
a pre (or post) lunch drink.
At night it transforms into a late and lively
club. |
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La
Clandestina
Baixada
de Viladecols, 2
Tel: 93-319 05 03
FREE WIFI
Describing itself as a "Teteria" (Tea
bar), La Clandestina is a gem in the heart of
the old town.
The decor inside is a middle eastern / north
african mix, with hanging carpets and all sorts
of wall-hung paraphanelia adding to the charm.
Over 20 types of tea are served, along with the
usual coffee, stronger drinks and, for those with
a more adventurous streak, Hookah (hubbly-bubbly)
pipes. The crowd is young and trendy - earlier
in the day you'll find a set crowded over their
laptops, taking advantage the free (and fast)
WIFI. Later it gets more crowded and upbeat.
A gem. |
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Milk
Carrer
d'En Gignas, 21
Open: Mon - Thurs 6pm - 2.30am; Sat, Sun 11am
- 3am
Tel: 93-268 09 22
www.milkbarcelona.com
Milk is all you would expect from a decent tourist
oriented cocktail bar, but for some reason it
just doesn't hit the right note. The cocktails
are reasonable, as is the food, and the largely
Irish staff are friendly enough but it just all
feels a bit manufactured and plasticy.
Taking up a corner in the increasingly trendy
area around Carrer d'En Gignas, Milk Bar takes
up no more space than the average living room,
so finding somewhere to plonk yourself in busy
times can be a challenge.
That all said, you can't beat the happy hour -
7-9pm - for a bit of pre-dinner or even pre-clubbing
drinking. |
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My
Bar
Ferran,
8
Open: Sun - Thurs: 12pm - 2am; Fri - Sat: 12pm
- 3am
Tel: 93-317 94 32
Along with Temple Bar and Molly Malones, My Bar
makes up a set of largely identical Irish pubs
just next to Plaza Reial.
Everything you expect is here - friendly, English
speaking staff, British beers and foods and sports
on big screens. If you like it Irish head here
- if you are looking for somewhere to mix with
the locals, steer clear. |
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P
Flaherty's
Placa
de Joaquim Xirau
Open: Daily: 9am - 3am
Tel: 93-412 62 63
www.pflaherty.com
One of the best known Irish bars in the city,
this one has 3 TV screens (4 if you count the
outside one that's sometimes on) showing all of
the sporting events you are ever going to want.
Add in the tables in the square out front that
catch the sun most of the day and you can see
why this is where many English and Irish groups
head for a bit of home. Spanish its not - most
of the bar staff don't even speak it - but if
you are looking for loud and rowdy, this is the
place for you.
As with most Irish bars in the city its not cheap
- a bottle of Bud will set you back €3.50
and a pint bottle of cider €5.50. Menu is
better value if you are looking for a hearty burger
or similar. |
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Schilling
Ferran,
23
Open: Mon - Sat: 10am - 3am; Sun: Midday - 3am
Tel: 93-317 67 87
www.cafeschilling.com
Schilling is a bit of a bar / café landmark
in Barcelona. The bottle lined walls and dim,
moody lighting give it a real sleazy sort of feel
(in a good way) but the location in the heart
of Barri Gotic and the more than reasonable prices
make it a real favourite.
The food which is served at lunchtimes is limited
to sandwiches, salads and snacks like nachos and,
while not bad value, is nothing to write home
about in terms of quality. And the service of
the young waiting staff is slow to the point of
ignoring you at times.
Nevertheless, this remains a great place to while
away an hour or two over coffee or a beer people
watching the tourist crowd through the windows
on Carrer Ferran or soaking up the atmosphere
of the dark black surroundings. |
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| El
Raval |
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Raval is Barri
Gotic's seedier and more exciting little brother. Traditionally
the dodgier end of the old town, encompassing the red
light district in the Southern end, Raval is now starting
to re-invent itself as an edgy and trendy bar and club
area.
Take care at night - it still has not completely shaken
off its old moniker - but if you're looking for something
closer to the old style Barcelona, this is the place to
come. |
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Boadas
Tallers,1
Open: Mon - Sat: Midday - 2am; closed Sun
Tel: 93-318 88 26
Boadas was first described to us as "the best
cocktail bar in Barcelona - maybe the world" and
we can see why.
Just off the usually tourist-ravaged La Rambla, if you
didn't know about this place you wouldn't give it a
second look. It is a tiny, old bar with no windows and
just a few seats set around the edge. But it just feels
like it knows what it is doing when it comes to cocktails
- sort of like the Grandfather of cocktail bars. Run
by the daughter of the original owner and staffed by
knowledgeable waiters behind the bar (no waitress service
here) there is no menu or list - just ask for what you
want and, in all likelihood, they will know it.
Definitely well worth a visit - although from our experience,
the "house cocktail" of the night is only
for the adventurous. |
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Candela
Hospital,
48
Open: Mon - Sat: 9am - 2.30am; Closed Sun
Tel: 93-301 08 13
www.candelaraval.com
FREE WIFI
Grungy and groovy bar, this is everything everything
that is good about the Raval area.
With 'up and coming' local artists' fares spanning the
walls and a huge aerial picture of Raval covering the
space behind the bar, its clear that Candela is revelling
in the regenration of the area into something cool and
trendy. And, because it is here and not 100 yards away
on La Rambla, the prices are still affordable.
Get in while the going is good. |
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| El
Born |
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| Now fully established
as the trendiest area of the centre, virtually popping
at the seam with bars and clubs. Head for the area along
Passeig del Born and just take your pick. |
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Bubo
Bar
Caputxes,
10 (at Santa Maria del Mar church)
Tel: 93-268 72 24
www.bubo.ws
Small bar cafe linked to the patisserie next door,
the main attraction here is most definitely the location,
overlooking the front of the beautiful Santa Maria Del
Mar church.
That said if ultra modern (some would say over the
top) tapas is your thing then you might just want to
have a snack here too. The owners don't shy away from
the elaborate and at times you'll find your lunch difficult
to differentiate from the sweets on display next door.
Our advice: kick back at a table outside, enjoy a coffee
or beer and something from the extensive sweet range
and soak up the atmosphere of the Santa Maria del Mar. |
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Ma
Maine
Rec,
59
Open: Tues - Sat 7.30pm - late; Closed Sun and Mon
One of many small bars, with some outside space, in
the trendy area around Passieg del Born
There are few differences between them - this place
has the one advantage of usually providing a free bowl
of popcorn with drinks! |
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Miramelindo
Passeig
del Born, 15
Open: Mon - Sat: 7.30pm - 3am
Tel: 93-310 37 27
One of a string of nice, late night drinking places
along this strip. This one is long and thin, with
comfy bamboo chairs.
Try the small upstairs if the seating's all taken down.
Some food available, but best to stick to the drinking
here. |
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Taverna
del Borne
Passeig
del Born, 27-29
Open: Daily: 11am - 1am
Tel: 93-315 09 64
Small old style bar, with lots of outside space in
the sunny corridor that is Passeig del Born.
Taverna Del Borne is the perfect place to sit in the
sun, have coffee or a cold beer while planning your
day. The Tapas is at the better end of the scale, although
the service can be frustratingly slow and absent at
times.
Great even in winter when they wheel out the heaters! |
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| Barceloneta
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| Barceloneta means
one thing when it comes to bars - beach bars! The stretch
of beach is littered with them, as well as many cafés
and restaurants and the odd small supermarket to top up
on those beers and snacks for the beach itself. |
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Saula
Barceloneta Beach
Open: Daily, 9am - 9pm, May - October
Beach bar! Enough said!
Literally sitting on the beach, Saula and its sister
bars (Chiringuita del Sol, Goa and Princesa 23 - all
pretty much identical) serve drinks and snacks in an
idyllic setting overlooking the sea. A little pricey,
but you pay for the location, not the booze here, and
well worth it is too! |
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| Eixample
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The vast expanse
of the Eixample (at least compared to the compact Barri
Gotic) can make it an intimidating place to explore, but
it's more autentically Barcelonan and home to many hidden
gems, so if your schedule is up to it, it is well worth
the effort.
The range of available places is vast, from the chic and
sophisticated Dry Martini, to the downstairs
atmospheric Les Gens Que J'Aime, there's
something for everyone. |
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Actual
Hotel
Roselló
238 (between Passeig de Gracia and Pau Claris)
Tel:93-552 05 50
www.hotelactual.com
FREE WI FI
Head past the front desk and up the stairs on the right
of reception to get to this small hotel cafe with quiet
alcoves where you can relax and catch up on emails and
news.
Waitress service is friendly and attentive - ring the
bell on the counter when there is no-one around.
A welcome (cost effective) and more relaxed option
than the upmarket Hotel Omm opposite. |
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Café
D'Artts
Bruc
118 (between Carrer Valencia and Mallorca)
Tel: 93-458 79 15
Open: Mon - Fri 8.30am - 10pm; Sat 9am - 8pm
www.caffedarts.com
Comfy is the best way to describe this place - very
friendly cafe serving average to good tapas and drinks
in easy surroundings from breakfast until evening. Art
of variable quality lines the walls and is changed periodically
to showcase a new artist or place - all for sale, if
it tickles your fancy.
The tapas is a little disappointing, but it remains
a great place to relax with a coffee or a drink.
Head past the bar to the back for the best of the big
sofas. |
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Café
y Té
Rambla
de Catalunya 80
Open: Daily, early until late
www.cafeandte.com
FREE WI-FI
One of a chain of Italian style cafés across
Spain, making it rather a formulaic, but usually pleasant
experience. The coffee is typically pretty good, and
the sandwiches fine, although you'll need to go elsewhere
if you want something a little more authentically Barcelonan. |
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Dry
Martini
Aribau
162 (at Carrer de Corsiga)
Tel: 93-217 50 72
Open: Mon - Fri 1pm - 2.30am; Sat 6.30pm - 3am
www.drymartinibcn.com
Right out of a scene from Mad Men, Dry Martini is an
ultra suave cocktail bar, a place to see and be seen
and, although a little further out than most, is well
worth the trip.
Describing itself as a "Speakeasy", Dry Martini's
slick uniformed waiter service, dark, sultry interior
and extensive cocktail list pretty much fits that bill,
although if you're looking for dancing girls you'll
be disappointed - this place is more about class and
money than that.
Watch out for the prices - a cocktail will set you
back 10+ Euros - but the drinks are top notch and the
atmosphere fabulous. |
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Laie
Pau
Claris 85 (between Gran Via y Casp)
Mon - Fri 9am - 9.30pm; Sat 10am - 9.30pm
www.laie.es
FREE WIFI - ask for the key at the bar
The Pau Claris version of this bookshop, like the others,
boasts an excellent upstairs café and restaurant.
Unlike many bookstore cafés, this is not a place
to sit and browse the books on the shelves - you have
to buy to take a book upstairs. However, it is an unusually
comfortable and relaxing space to sit and have a coffee
or beer with pastry after shopping or while checking
mail on the free WIFI. |
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Les
Gens Que J'Aime
València, 286 (between Pau Claris and Passeig
de Gracia)
Tel: 93-215 68 79
Open: Daily 6pm - 2.30am
A wonderfully atmospheric little downstairs bar just
off Passeig de Gracia.
The small door and steps down, dark interior and velvet
furnishings all give Les Gens Que J'Aime a deliberately
Parisian seedy feel and the usual customers, often shrouded
in cigarette smoke only add to that. The resident tarot
reader just sets the whole thing off.
Generally good value, although watch out for the red
wine which is only served in 1/3 bottles for €8+. |
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Orange
Café Claris
Pau
Claris 143 (between Arago and Valencia)
Tel: 93-487 59 91
Open: Mon - Sat 8am - 2am
www.orangeclariscafe.com
Groovy bar / cafe around an orange theme, the Orange
Café Claris is a welcome departure from the over-priced
and atmosphere-less cafes that can be found just a street
away on Passeig de Gracia.
The decor is retro 60s, giving it a charming edge and
the young staff are attentive and helpful. The food
is reasonable and well priced: a lunchtime menu del
dia is just €9.50 and main courses at night just
€8-12.
Just one thing: asthma sufferers watch out - smoking
is still very much allowed here and the cigarette smoke
can reach industrial levels. |
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Premier
Provenca
236 (at Carrer d'Enric Granados)
Tel: 93-532 16 50
Open: Tues - Sat: 6pm - 2.30am; Closed Sun & Mon
www.barpremier.com
A small cocktail bar in the heart of Eixample, Premier
just oozes cool.
Popular with the thirtysomething set, Premier is a groovy
bar during the week and a music bar, with own DJs at
the weekends playing the "Jazz, Disco, Groovy House
and RnB sounds". Not the biggest place around,
so you may need to hang around to get a decent seat,
particularly if you want to get one of the bed-like
sofas on the tiny mezzanine floor.
For us, a perfect pre-dinner cocktails place for any
of the myriad of restaurants around here. |
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The
George Payne Irish Bar (aka El Teatro)
Placa
Urquinaona, 5
Tel: 93-481 52 94
Open: Daily: 9am - late
www.thegeorgepayneirishbar.com
How to describe the cavernous pub that is the George
Payne Irish Bar (also known as El Teatro)?
Well, it can be summed up as very big and typical (Barcelona-style)
Irish. Five yes, count them, five separate rooms, from
the two small bars at the front to the upstairs dining
room and the huge back room, each one with at least
one screen, often more, showing whatever sport is playing
at the time.
Staff are all English speaking, prices are the usual
20-30% higher than non-Irish bars and the food is mostly
burgers, chillis and nachos - although not badly done,
if you are in the mood for that sort of thing. Traditional
its not, but it serves a purpose. Get there early for
big sporting events and check the site - they have been
known to charge entry for the biggest ones. |
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