SOHOPITA, HOOKAH $
C. Ramelleres, 26
A welcome recent addition to the neighborhood, Soho might be confused for an average eatery given it’s lack of flashy interior design. No matter—try the €2 Moroccan tea or the cheap and simple meat and vegetarian options (€2). The whole place feels very impromptu, with menu items written by hand and plenty of exposed plywood, but at prices this low, you can’t really complain. There are smaller, more intimate rooms which are perfect for test-driving a hookah (€10) from the set available on the counter at the entrance.
Universitat. Walk down C. Tallers and take a right onto C. Ramelleres. Pita and drink €3.50. Cash only. 
Open M-Sa 1-10pm.
JUICY JONES
VEGETARIAN $$
C. l’Hospital, 74
934 43 90 82
Very similar to the kindred Juicy Jones down in the Barri Gotic, this place will give you some great Indian thali dahl and curry options as well as an ever present assortment of zumos and smoothies. The liquid landscape of the menu offers one kickin’ Banana GoGo smoothie you would be a fool not to try (cacao, banana, soy milk, cane sugar, ice, and coconut shavings (€3.95). If you’ve ever wondered what M.C. Escher’s art would have looked like if he used more color and took more shrooms, the interior will satisfy your curiosity.
Liceu. Walk down C. l’Hospital. Juicy Jones is on the right at the corner of C. l’Hospital and C. En Roig, before Rambla del Raval. Tapas €2-4. Sandwiches €3-5. Daily thali plate €6. Menú €8.50. Open daily 1-11:30pm.
NARIN
MEDITERRANEAN $
C. Tallers, 80
933 01 90 04
Sitting discreetly among the shops and cafes of C. Tallers, Narin is hiding the best baklava (€1) in Barcelona as well as equally scrumptious falafel, shawarma, kebabs, and pita bread combinations. You have to try the chicken and falafel pita, the perfect snack for a hot afternoon. Luckily, beers come cold and cheap (€1.80) for those looking to brave the bar. A tiled dining room provides a reprieve from the buzz of the electric shawarma shaver.
Universitat. Walk down C. Tallers. Pita €2.50-4. Durums €3.50-6.50. Main dishes €6-8. Open M-Sa 1pm-midnight, Su 6pm-midnight.
L‘Eixample
LA RITA
CATALAN $$
C. Aragó, 279
934 87 23 76
http://www.grupandilana.com/es/restaurantes/la-rita-restaurantm
La Rita serves traditional Catalan dishes with a twist; the duck with apples, raspberry coulis, and mango chutney—you will surely find—go great with just about everything. Though the price is dirt-cheap given the quality and quantity of food off the pricey C. Aragó, the interior is anything but—expect an upscale but relaxed ambience that will make you appreciate the dressy casual clothes you brought instead of the traveler’s reusable T-shirt. Try an order of the exquisitely steamed black sausage croquettes with apple sauce (€3.95) or the veal meatballs with cuttlefish (€8.55).
Passeig de Gràcia. Walk up Pg. de Gràcia away from Pl. Catalunya and turn right onto C. Aragó. Appetizers €4.70-8.80. Entrees €7-12. Menu (two main courses and dessert) €19. Open daily 1-3:45pm and 8:30-11:30pm.
OMEÍA
SYRIAN $$
C. Aragó, 211
934 52 31 79
When you’re tired of cheap shawarma stands, stop into Omeía for some authentic Middle Eastern fare. Devour an order of their lamb tagines with prunes and almonds (€13) or fill up with one of the traditional Jordanian dishes (€11-13). Pick something you haven’t got a chance of pronouncing correctly and hope for the best! And remember that you can’t ever go wrong by ordering yogurt with honey (€2.50).
Universitat. Walk up C. Aribau to the left of the University building and turn right onto C. Aragó. Appetizers €6-7. Salads €6-6.50. Entrees €7.50-18. Traditional specialties €11-13. Lunch menú €7.50. Coffee €1.10. Wine €1.80-2. Open daily 12:30pm-4:30pm and 8pm-midnight.
Barceloneta
BOMBETA
TAPAS $$
C. de la Maquinista, 3
933 19 94 45
A hardy, good old-fashioned tapas bar is personified in this local, nearly ocean-front establishment. Take heed of the warning scrawled above the bar, “No hablamos inglés, pero hacemos unas bombas cojonudas”—or, “We don’t speak English, but we make ballsy bombas.” The TV-aggrandized persona of the typical rough ‘n’ tough Spaniard finds its incarnation in the bar staff. Ask any question, and they will respond with rough Catalan accents and a trusty smile while doggedly assembling your order. Treat yourself to the house pièce de résistance known as bombas (scrumptious fried potato balls reminiscent of light garlic and onion scents stuffed with perfectly-seasoned, spicy ground beef and topped with an exquisite house sauce; €3.90 for 2).
Barceloneta. Walk down Pg. Juan de Borbó (toward the beach) and take a left onto C. Maquinista. Appetizers €3-9.50. Entrees €5-18. Cash only. Open daily M-Tu 11am-midnight, Th-Su 11am-midnight.
SOMORROSTRO
SEAFOOD $$$
C. Sant Carles, 11
932 25 00 10
www.restaurantesomorrostro.com
This extraordinary restaurant assembles a new menu every day based on selections from the catch of the day that the young chefs, Jordi Limón and Andrés Gaspar, have selected. Somorrostro is not cheap—its rotating menu of seafood dishes, paella, curries, and other dishes runs about €13-20 per entree—but the nighttime menú (€15-17) of the chefs’ gastronomical experiments is the real treat. Try to beat the lunch and dinner rush by showing up more near the start of each serving session. The Mostaca Synera (€5.40) is the perfect starting drink and can be enjoyed as one wistfully gazes at and interprets the old black-and-white French photographs spanning the back wall.
Barceloneta. Walk down Plà del Palau over Ronda Litoral, following the harbor. After crossing Litoral, take the 5th left onto C. Sant Carles. Free Wi-Fi. Appetizers €6-14. Entrees €13-20. Weekday lunch buffet €13 per kg. Dinner menu €15-17. Wine €3-6. Open M-Sa 8-11:30pm, Su 2-4pm and 8-11:30pm.
L’ARRÒS
Paella $$$
Pg. Joan de Borbó, 12
932 21 26 46
At first glance, L’Arròs (“Rice”) appears to be a typical tourist trap, complete with a striped, blue and white canopy beckoning weary travelers into the pleasant shade. Although it may be found along Barceloneta’s main beach drag, don’t let the uninspired decor and multilingual menu of this arrocería fool you. What the restaurant lacks in atmosphere, it wholeheartedly makes up for with its Spanish paella, which Barcelona natives claim is some of the best in town. Top if off with soothing Tahiti vanilla ice cream (€5.90) or Syrian Rose Cake with custard, raspberries, and mango sauce (€7.20). Even more reason to smile is the special-diet-friendly menu, which offers mindful options for those lactose/gluten/nut-allergy intolerant.
Barceloneta. Walk on Plà del Palau over Ronda Litoral and follow Pg. Joan de Borbó. Appetizers €8.75-19.50. Entrees €8.60-18.50. Open daily noon-11:30pm.
TAPAS $
C. Balboa, 1
933 19 11 10
During the summer months, the seemingly quaint, relaxed aura of this establishment’s main room peers into a vibrantly painted, terrace-like back room crammed full of young people who flock from the beach like pigeons for a crunchy chunk of bread. The 10% surcharge to sit amid the Rubik’s-cube assortment of colors in the courtyard terrace will give you a more memorable experience. Your respite from the heat and bustle of Barceloneta will be made much more enjoyable by the groovy atmosphere of the terrace room. A cheap but filling daily menú (entree with salad and patatas bravas, bread, a drink, and dessert; €5) offers travelers a nice cash-saving option; however, should the heat make you super adventurous, you can order a tangy house Mojito or Caipirinha €5 each) and an order of refreshing and not too heavy fresas con nata (strawberries and cream; €3). Kick back with friends and listen to the varied music from all places international echoing throughout the bar’s sound system.
Barceloneta. Walk down Pg. Joan de Borbó (toward the beach) and take the 1st left after Ronda del Litoral onto Carrer Balboa. Tapas €2.50-8. Sangria €3. Menú del día €5-7. Open M-W 10am-midnight, Th-F 10am-2am, Sa noon-2am, Su noon-5pm.
Gràcia
UN LUGAR DE GRÀCIA
CATALAN $$
C. Providència, 88
932 19 32 89
Un Lugar de Gràcia has the best-priced and most ample lunch special in the neighborhood by far: any two dishes from the midday menú—no distinction between first and second courses, so the very hungry may essentially order two main courses at no extra cost—bread, water or wine, and pudding/dessert for €11.20. The food may be a bit generic, with your typical assortment of pastas, meats, some fish options, and of course tapas; however, they come in great quantity for a steal of a price. For an ultra hearty meal, try the bife ancho a la parilla de origen argentino—that’s grilled Argentinian flank steak.
Joanic. From the metro, follow C. Escorial uphill and take a left onto C. Providència. Entrees €6-11. Open M-Th noon-4pm, F-Sa noon-4pm and 8-11pm. Also open for F.C. Barcelona matches.
SAMSARA
TAPAS $$
C. Terol, 6
932 85 36 88
Samsara has a long regular menu with some of the best tapas in the neighborhood as well as about a half dozen “novetats,” which are daily tapas specials with international twists on customary Catalonian dishes. This restaurant also offers comfy cushions for its local and foreign customers; low rising communal tables and even lower cushioned ottomans will help you make new, hungry friends.
Fontana. Head downhill on C. Gran de Gràcia, then turn left onto C. Ros de Olano, which becomes C. Terol. Tapas €1-7.50. Beer €2.20. Wine €3.30-3.50. Open M-W 8:30am-1:30am, Th 8:30pm-3am, F 8:30am-3pm, Su 7:30pm-1am.
LA NENA
CAFE $
C. Ramón y Cajal, 36
932 85 14 76
Welcome to grandma’s house! But this was the cool grandma who used to feed you tons of sweets and spoil you as a kid. La Nena has an extensive menu of gourmet hot chocolate, crepes, bocadillo sandwiches, and quiches at unbeatable prices. Watch out, you party people—there’s a hilarious banner displaying grandma’s “no alcohol served here” declaration. This is a great place to slow down and have a choco brasil (hot chocolate with a ball of coffee ice cream inside; €4).
Fontana. Follow C. d’Astúries away from C. Gran de Gràcia and take a right onto C. Torrent de l’Olla. Walk a few blocks and take a left onto C. Ramón y Cajal. Sandwiches €2.50-6. Quiches €6. Pastries €1.20-4. Cash only. May call to reserve. Open daily 9am-10pm.
PIZZA $$
C. Ros de Olano, 17
934 15 74 50
Gavina is Gràcia’s most heavenly pizzeria. The gigantic hand coming out of the wall, or the parade of angels encircling the chandelier, are bound to make you feel super holy (and hopefully hungry). You’ll probably forget about the rather bulky pope figurine watching the tables near the door once you try the strawberry cheesecake tart (€4.50). The big draw, though, is neither the impressive kitsch nor desserts but is instead the gigantic, delicious pizzas (€6.50-14). Try the namesake Gavina (potatoes, ham, onion, and mushrooms; €12) or the pizza of the day—but be sure to bring friends or an otherworldly appetite.
Fontana. From the metro, walk downhill on C. Gran de Gràcia and take a left onto C. Ros de Olano. Pizza €6.50-14. Midday menú W-F €10, includes pizza, dessert, and a drink. Chupitos €2. Open M 1pm-4am and 8pm-1am, Tu 7pm-1am, W-Th 1pm-4am and 8pm-1am.
Montjuïc and Poble Sec
The neighborhood of Poble Sec hides a number of good, inexpensive restaurants and bars—perfect for those who don’t feel like breaking the bank to eat at a museum cafe up on Montjuïc, or for those looking to explore a lovely neighborhood a bit off the beaten track.
QUIMET I QUIMET
TAPAS, BAR $$
C. Poeta Cabanyes, 25
934 42 31 42
With five generations and 100-plus years of service under its belt, Quimet i Quimet knows what’s up. If you’re lucky enough to visit this place when it isn’t super busy, take a moment to be mesmerized by the massive liquor bottle display lining the establishment’s walls. Try the salmon, yogurt, and truffle honey or the bleu cheese with baked red pepper sandwich.
Paral·lel. Follow Av. Paral·lel away from the water, past the small plaça on the left, then head left up C. Poeta Cabanyes. Tapas €2.50-3.25. Beer €5.75 per bottle. Open M-F noon-4pm and 7-10:30pm, Sa and holidays noon-4pm. Closed Aug.
NIGHTLIFE
Barri Gòtic and Las Ramblas
BARCELONA PIPA CLUB
BAR, CLUB
Pl. Reial, 3
933 02 47 32
With pipes from six continents, smoking paraphernalia decorated by Dalí, and an “ethnological museum dedicated to the smoking accessory,” the only pipe-related article missing from this club—albeit somewhat appropriately—is René Magritte’s Ceci n’est pas une pipe (“This is not a pipe.”). Despite its cryptic lack of signage and the furtive ambiance of a secret society, the low-lit, amber-colored bar, pool room, and music lounge has a surprisingly high amount of visitors. Take a few puffs as you listen to the retro blues and ragtime tunes.
Liceu. Walk on Las Ramblas toward the water and turn left onto C. Colom to enter Pl. Reial. Pipa Club is an unmarked door to the right of Glaciar Bar. To enter, ring the bottom bell. Rotating selection of tobacco available for sale. Special smoking events. Jazz jam session Su 8:30pm. Beer €4-5. Wine €4-5. Cocktails €7.50-9. Cash only. Open daily 11pm-3am.
HARLEM JAZZ CLUB
JAZZ CLUB, BAR
C. Comtessa de Sobradiel, 8
933 10 07 55
With live performances nightly and a drink often included in the cover (check the schedule), this is a budget-conscious music lover’s paradise. This sophisticated jazz house posts performance schedules on the door, letting you choose whether you’ll drop in to hear lovesick English crooning or a saucier Latin flavor. Acts range from funk and soul to Latin jazz, and the crowd is just as varied.
Liceu. Walk toward the water on Las Ramblas and take a left onto C. Ferran, a right onto C. Avinyó, and a left onto C. Comtessa de Sobradiel. Live music usually begins at 10 or 11pm. Calendar of events available online or at the door. Cover €5-6; sometimes includes 1 drink. Beer €3.80. Cocktails €7.80. Cash only. Open M 8pm-1am, Tu 8pm-12:30am, W-Th 8pm-1am, F-Sa 8pm-5am, Su 6pm-1am.
SINCOPA
BAR
C. Avinyò, 35
At night, this music-themed bar—rumored to have once been owned by none other than Manu Chao—plays host to as many nationalities and performers as it has currencies and secondhand instruments on its walls. Of Barri Gòtic’s bars, Sincopa undoubtedly sports some of the most colorful decor and clientele. One night, the crowd might be on a chemically-induced “vacation” and chilling to Dark Side of the Moon; the next, everyone will be salsa dancing.
Liceu. Walk on Las Ramblas toward the water and take a left onto C. Ferran and a right onto C. d’ Avinyò. Beer €2-4. Cocktails €7. Juices €2.50. Cash only. Open M-Th 6pm-2:30am, F-Sa 6pm-3am, Su 6pm-2:30am.
MANCHESTER
BAR
C. Milans, 5
627 73 30 81
The names of the drinks posted on the front door—Joy Division, The Cure, Arcade Fire, and many, many more—set a rockin’ mood. After passing the spinning turntable at the entrance, you’ll see intimate, perfectly dimmed red seating, and gleefully gabbing young people. The happy hour, with €1 Estrella Damms, will have you singing along to “Friday I’m in Love” before the evening’s up.
Liceu. Walk toward the water on Las Ramblas and head left onto C. Ferran, right onto C. d’Avinyó, and left onto C. Milans, before C. Ample. Manchester is at the bend in the street. Beer €2-4. Shots from €2.50. Cocktails €6. Cash only. Open M-Th 7pm-2:30am, F-Sa 7pm-3:30am, Su 7pm-2:30am. Happy hour daily 7-10pm.
LAS CUEVAS DEL SORTE
BAR
C. Gignàs, 2
932 95 40 15
The eponymous caves, with miniature stalactites on the ceiling, are filled with alcohol, partygoers, and a subtle earthy scent. Exquisite mosaics crop up in the most unexpected places, including the bathrooms. Seriously, though, it’ll be the most aesthetically pleasing potty break you ever take. Downstairs, small tables and another bar surround a disco-balled dance floor, where revelers party on with cocktail in happy hand.
Liceu. Walk toward the water on Las Ramblas and head left onto C. Ferran, right onto C. d’Avinyó, and left onto C. Gignàs. Cocktails €5-7. Open M 7pm-2am, W-Su 7pm-2am
El Born
EL CASO BORN
BAR
C. de Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers, 7
932 69 11 39
This is a quieter alternative for those too cool to bother with the packed houses and inflated prices of nearby Pg. del Born. Cheap drinks tempt travelers, while relaxed seating, a chill crowd, and a drinks menu with cocktails named for the Bourne movies (the name is a pun on El Caso Bourne, the Spanish title of The Bourne Identity) provide ample reason to start the night here.
Jaume I. Walk down C. de la Princesa and take a right onto C. de Montcada. Upon entering Pg. del Born, take a right onto C. dels Sombrerers and then take a right again onto the 1st street on your the, C. de Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers. Cava €1.80. Beer €2. Cocktails €5-7. Open Tu-Th 8pm-2am, F-Sa 8pm-3am.
BAR
C. Abaixadors, 10
932 95 55 13
Another of Barcelona’s most beautiful bars, La Luna sits under timeless vaulted brick arches, with dim lighting and mirrors behind the bar making it seem even larger. Comfortable lounge seating in front makes for a good place to camp out and take in the bar’s beauty. The tropical mojito (with coconut rum for €7) and the mojito de fresa (€7.30), which replaces the lime with strawberries, are both quite popular. Leather upholstery exudes class, so do your best not to show up in basketball shorts and flip-flops.
Open M-W 6pm-1:30am, Th-F 6pm-2:30am, Sa 1pm-2:30am, Su 1pm-1:30am.
LA FIANNA
BAR
C. Manressa, 4
933 15 18 10
A glass partition divides the restaurant and bar, but be prepared to push your way through on weekend nights no matter where you choose to wine or dine. Unlike at other places in the area, finding a seat at the bar is a distinct possibility; getting a spot on one of the comfy couches is another story altogether. Patience pays off with large mojitos (€7) made with special bitters as you gaze upon the Euro-rockin’ interior design, super chic furniture, and just the right amount of dim lighting.
Jaume I. Walk down Via Laietana and take a left onto C. Manresa. The restaurant is on the right after passing C. de la Nau. All cocktails €4.50 M-Th 6-9pm. Discounted tapas M-Th 7pm-12:30am, F-Sa 7pm-11:30pm, Su 7pm-12:30am. Tapas €2-4.80. Beer €2.50-3.40. Shots €4. Cocktails €6-7. Open daily 6pm-midnight.
EL BORN
BAR
Pg. del Born, 26
933 19 53 33
Shed the themes and pretense and stop at El Born for a straight-up bar—no more, no less. Marble tables and green decor provide a simple, no games interior that nonetheless attracts burly jocks, retired dads, and everyone in between attempting who come here to watch the Champions League finals or the French Open (really, whatever’s big in Euro sports at the time of your visit). With cheap beer (€2-2.50) and ambient music, it’s no wonder this place is always full. Usual patrons are more of the male variety, so ladies should bear that in mind. Some filling options include the empandas (€2) or a sandwich de Milanesa (€2.90).
Jaume I. Walk down C. de la Princesa and take a right onto C. de Montcada. Follow until you hit Pg. del Born and take a left. Free Wi-Fi. Beer €2-2.50. Mixed drinks €6. Open Tu-Su 10am-2:30am.
EL COPETÍN
LATIN BAR
Pg. del Born, 19
607 20 21 76
This dance floor just won’t quit: Latin beats blare all night long, attracting a laid-back, fun-loving crowd that knows how to move like Shakira. A narrow, tightly packed bar up front provides little reprieve for those who need a drink, as the waitstaff will probably be too busy shakin’ anyway to tend to your every beck and call. Most people who come here come prepared to dance.
Jaume I. Walk down C. de la Princesa and take a right onto C. de Montcada. Follow to Pg. del Born. Mixed drink €7. Open M-Th 6pm-2:30am, F-Sa 6pm-3am, Su 6pm-2:30am.
BERIMBAU
BRAZILIAN BAR
Pg. del Born, 17
646 00 55 40
This copas bar, reportedly the oldest Brazilian bar in Spain (founded 1978), offers a range of drinks you won’t easily find this side of the Atlantic. Try the guaraná with whiskey (€8), an orange and banana juice with vodka (€9.50), or the tried and true (and damn good) caipirinha (€8). Samba and Brazilian electronic music fill the room with a brasileiro feel as the wicker furniture and stifling heat complete the scene.
Jaume I. Walk down C. de la Princesa and take a right onto C. de Montcada. Follow to Pg. del Born, then turn left. Beer €2.50-3. Cocktails €7-10. Open daily 6pm-2:30am.
CACTUS BAR
BAR
Pg. del Born, 30
933 10 63 54
Cactus Bar is renowned along Pg. del Born for its big, tasty, and potent mojitos (€8). If you can get a bartender’s attention over the clamor, you generally don’t need to specify which drink you want; just use your fingers to indicate how many mojitos it’ll be. The constant stream—or devastating flood—of customers means the bartenders work as a team, creating a mojito assembly line that churns out over a dozen of the minty beverages at a time. Get your drink in a plastic cup to go instead of the weighty tall glasses and enjoy it on the (slightly) less crowded Pg. del Born right out front. If mainstream doesn’t float your boat, try the house gin and tonic—it’ll definitely wake you up (€7.50).
Jaume I. Walk down C. de la Princesa and take a right onto C. de Montcada. Continue until you hit Pg. del Born, then take a left. DJs M and W. Beer €3. Cocktails €8. Breakfast €3.50-4.50. Sandwiches €2.50-3.70. Tapas €1.80-6.50. Open M-Sa noon-2am, Su noon-midnight.
El Raval
The nightlife in El Raval is mostly centered on the bars on and around Rambla del Raval and Carrer de Joaquin Costa, though there are a few music clubs dotting the neighborhood as well.
MARSELLA BAR
BAR
C. Sant Pau, 65
934 42 72 63
Enter this amber-colored establishment lined with antique mirrors, cabinets, old advertisements, and ancient liquor bottles that have likely been there since the modernisme art form was first invented. The easygoing crowd is loyal to Marsella even after a few absinthes (€5). It may be a bit crowded in here, but it’ll be well worth your glass of greenish glow (really, everyone orders one) below the ridiculously ornate chandeliers. Maybe you can even catch a glimpse of some long-past customers’ phantoms, like Hemingway, Gaudí, or Picasso.
Liceu. Follow C. Sant Pau from Las Ramblas. Beer €3. Mixed drinks €5-6.50. Cash only. Open M-Th 11pm-2am, F-Sa 11pm-3am.
MOOG
CLUB
C. Arc del Teatre, 3
933 19 17 89
Buried in the heart of Old Chinatown and long changed since its days of flamenco bohemia, Moog still stands as one of Europe’s most important dance clubs, renowned for its electronic music. This club has featured several big name DJs like Robert X, John Acquaviva, and many from the Berlin label Tresor-all. Come inside to experience musical flavors favored by everyone from electronica aficionados to lost souls just trying to find a place to dance and shed some Spanish cuisine-induced pounds the fun way.
Drassanes. Walk away from the water on Las Ramblas and turn left onto C. Arc del Teatre. Discount flyers often available on Las Ramblas. Cover €10. Open daily midnight-5am.
BAR BIG BANG
BAR,
MUSIC CLUB C. Botella, 7
Sitting in the Ciutat Vella for over 20 years now, Big Bang features everything from jazz to blues to funky swing. Stand up and vaudeville-esque theater are other acts that the crowd can drink to. Out front, customers are serenaded by big band favorites—both local and national—from the stereo and projector screen that have entertained patrons for years.
Sant Antoni. Walk down C. Sant Antoni Abad and take a right onto C. Botella. Free Wi-Fi. Schedule of performances and special events on website. Shot €3. Beer €3-4. Open Tu-Th 10pm-2:30am, Su 10pm-2:30am.
BETTY FORD’S
BAR
C. Joaquin Costa, 56
933 04 13 68
This ain’t your dad’s antique Ford, honey. During the earlier hours of the evening, this bar and restaurant stuffs local students with its relatively cheap and famously delicious burgers (€6.50). Happy hour (6-9pm) provides cheap drinks, and later in the night, the place gets packed with a young, noisy crowd that will actually overflow onto the street, so get here early!
Universitat. Walk down Ronda de Sant Antoni and take a slight left onto C. Joaquin Costa. Burger €6.50. Shakes €3.50. Mixed drinks €5-6; happy hour drinks €4. Cash only. Open M 6pm-1:30am, Tu-Th 11am-1:30am, F-Sa 11am-2:30am. Happy hour M-Sa 6-9pm.
LLETRAFERIT
BAR, BOOKSTORE
C. Joaquin Costa, 43
933 17 81 30
A chillax oasis away from the hectic nightlife of C. Joaquin Costa, Lletraferit (Catalan for “bookworm”) offers some respite in the form of cute, colorful drinks and a little bit of literature to accompany your liquid journey. Grab a cocktail (€6-8.50) and settle into a comfy leather armchair or head around to the back, where a cozy library and bookstore awaits you.
Universitat. Walk down Ronda de Sant Antoni and take a slight left onto C. Joaquin Costa. Cocktails €5-8.50. Cash only. Open M-Th 4pm-2:30am, F-Sa 5pm-3am.
VALHALLA CLUB DE ROCK
BAR, MUSIC CLUB
C. Tallers, 68
Words to our metalhead Let’s Go readers: get ready to bust out your screamo skills, air guitars, and ‘80s rock-on hand gestures. Step through the front entrance, and you’ll see what is a concert hall some nights and an industrial nightclub on others. It’s a haven for those who may gotten tired of the techno at Moog or the eccentricity of Sant Pau 68. Free entry on non-show nights means you can use the cash you save to try the entire selection of chupitos del rock, specialty shots named after rock bands from Elvis to Whitesnake (€1). It’ll make you holla for Valhalla.
Universitat. Walk down C. Tallers. Search for Valhalla Club de Rock on Facebook to find a calendar of concerts and special events. Shot €1-2. Beer €1.50-5. Mixed drinks €6-7. Cash only. Open daily 6:30pm-2:30am.
L‘Eixample
LES GENTS QUE J’AIME
BAR
C. València, 286 bis
932 15 68 79
Start with a little red velvet. Then add in some sultry jazz and an environment redolent of gin and modernisme, and you’ll be transported back some 100 years to a fin-de-siècle fiesta. Black-and-white photographs, cool R&B, and vintage chandeliers set the mood for you to partake in sinful pleasures. Not sure where to head for the rest of the night? Cozy up next to the palm reader or have your tarot cards read to avoid making the decision yourself.
Diagonal. Head downhill on Pg. de Gràcia and turn left onto C. València. Les Gents Que J’aime is downstairs, just past Campechano. Palm reading €25-35) and tarot €20-30) M-Sa. Beer €4.50. Wine €5-10. Cocktails €5-10. Open M-Th 6pm-2:30am, F-Sa 7pm-3am, Su 6pm-2:30am.
CLUB
C. Provença, 171
933 23 72 71
Decorated entirely with pieces from the old Apolo Amusement Park in Barcelona and featuring a slightly Latin vibe, this club is like that creepy carnival from Scooby Doo, but with a bar instead of a g-g-g-ghooooost. Check out the upgraded Scooby Snax (mojitos €10) as you jam out to top 40 and Latin tracks along with happy club goers.
Hospital Clínic. Walk away from the engineering school along C. Rossello and take a right onto C. Villarroel. Take the 1st left onto C. Provença; La Fira is a few blocks down. Often hosts shows or parties, sometimes with entrance fee or 1 drink min. Cover sometimes €10, includes 1 drink. Beer €5. Cocktails €10. Open F-Sa 11pm-5am.
LUZ DE GAS
CLUB, BAR
C. Muntaner, 246
932 09 77 11
This is one of the most renowned clubs in the city, and with good reason. Imagine that George Clooney bought out the casino he and his crew robbed in Ocean’s 11 and then recruited hot, classy Spaniards to run it. That’s Luz de Gas. Red velvet walls, gilded mirrors, and sparkling chandeliers will have you wondering how you possibly got past the bouncer, while the massive, purple-lit dance floor surrounded by multi-colored bars will remind you what you’re here for. Big name jazz, blues, and soul performers occasionally take the stage during the evening hours, but after 1am, it turns into your typical discoteca. Ritzy youths dance to deafening pop in the lower area, while the upstairs lounge provides a much-needed break for both your feet and ears.
Diagonal. Take a left onto Avda. Diagonal and a right onto C. Muntaner. For show listings and times, check the Guía del Ocio or the club’s website. Cover €18, includes 1 drink. Beer €7. Cocktails €10. Open Th-Sa 11:30pm-5am.
ANTILLA
CLUB
C. Aragó, 141
934 51 45 64
Be careful when entering—this Latin bar and dance club is so full of energy that dancers often turn into Shakira and J. Lo when getting down. You can do it, too, by attending salsa lessons from 10-11pm on Wednesdays at the Escuela de Baile Antilla. Enjoy it all between the palm trees painted on the walls and the Cuban maracas, bongos, and cowbells littering the sandy bar.
Urgell. Walk along Gran Vìa de les Corts Catalanes and take a right up C. Comte d’Urgell. Walk 3 blocks and take a left onto C. Aragó. Cover €10, includes 1 drink. Beer €5-10. Cocktails €5-12. Open W 9pm-2am, Th 11pm-5am, F-Sa 11pm-6am, Su 7pm-1am.
ESPIT CHUPITOS (ARIBAU)
BAR
C. Aribau, 77
Shots, shots, shots—you know the rest. You can get your inner circus freak on here, as many shots involve spectacular sparks of pyromaniacal proportions. Try the Harry Potter, which might literally light up the night. For a good laugh, order the Monica Lewinsky for somebody else and thank us later. Crowd in with everyone who loves to test this location’s 45 person max. capacity or grab your drinks and go.
Universitat. Walk up C. Aribau to the left of the university building; Espit Chupitos is 4 blocks uphill. Shot €2-4. Cocktails €8.50. Open M-Th 10:30pm-2:30am, F-Sa 10:30pm-3am.
Barceloneta
ABSENTA
BAR
Carrer de Sant Carles, 36
932 21 36 38
www.kukcomidas.com/absenta.html
Not for the easily spooked, Absenta is like an episode of The Twilight Zone if you were inside the TV looking out while also experiencing a touch of the absinthe-induced hallucination this establishment is so famous for. This local hangout spot is the original Spanish speakeasy. With funky light fixtures and vintage proscriptions against the consumption of the vivid green liquor scolding you from above the bar, you will naughtily sip away at the eponymous absinthe (shot for €4, glass for €7). If the overhanging, life-size pirate fairy statue with a glass of absinthe in one hand does not grab your attention, perhaps the static TV sets with flickering art will. If you’re in the mood to munch while lounging at any one of the several tables shy of the bar’s entrance, try a house panini with ham or empanadas de carne (classic meat turnovers). Maybe the country-style blues playing overhead will let you muster up the courage to order the head mixologist’s special 50-60% alcohol house-brew of absinthe.
Barceloneta. Walk down Pg. Joan de Borbó toward the beach and take a left onto C. Sant Carles. Beer €2.30. Mixed drinks €7. Open M 11am-3am, Tu 6pm-3am, W-Sa 11am-3am, Su 11am-2am.
¿KÉ?
BAR
Carrer del Baluard, 54
932 24 15 88
This small bar attracts internationals and provides a calm alternative to the crowded beaches and throbbing basses of the platja (not to mention ridiculously comfy bar stools). A Spanish sign that reads “Barcelona’s most well-known secret” entitles you to be part of the in-crowd should you make it to this establishment. Frequented by celebrities, artists, and production crews for movies, this bar speaks for itself in all its vivacious, colorful splendor. The clementine-colored chandeliers shed only enough light to see bottles of all hues stacked on the wall or the barrage of dangly trinkets poised throughout the locale. Shelves doubling as upside-down tables, fruit decals along the bar, and a playful group of semi-creepy faces peering down from overhead will have you wondering “¿Ké?” as well. Sip on an infusion drink (€1.50), sangria (€5), a cocktail (€6), or a cheap beer (€2.50) as you jeer at the running slideshow of past bar events displayed on the main parlor TV screen. Drunk-fest caught on camera, anyone?
Barceloneta. Walk down Pg. Joan de Borbó toward the sea and take a left onto Carrer Sant Carles. Take a left onto Carrer del Baluart once you enter the plaça. Free Wi-Fi. Open M-Th 11am-2:30am, F 11am-3am, Sa noon-3am.
CATWALK
DISCOTECA
C. Ramón Trias Fargas, 2-4
932 24 07 40
One of Barcelona’s most famous clubs, Catwalk has two packed floors of discoteca. Downstairs, bikini-clad dancers gyrate to house and techno in neon-lit cages while a well-dressed crowd floods the dance floor. Upstairs, club-goers attempt to dance to American hip hop and pop in very close quarters. Dress well if you want to get in—really well if you want to try to get in without paying the cover (this mostly applies to the ladies). Don’t bother trying to get the attention of a bartender at the first bar upon entering; there are about six others, and they’re all less busy. Don’t come before midnight or you’ll find yourself awkwardly standing around semi-old people with those one or two guys on the dance floor who are always going a bit too ham.
Ciutadella/Vila Olímpica. No T-shirts, ripped jeans, or sneakers permitted. Events listed on website. Cover €15-20, includes 1 drink. Beer €7. Mixed drinks €12. Open Th midnight-5am, F-Sa midnight-6am, Su midnight-5am.
OPIUM MAR
CLUB, RESTAURANT
Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, 34
902 26 74 86
Slick restaurant by day and even slicker club by night, this lavish indoor and outdoor party spot is a favorite in the Barça nightlife scene. Renowned guest DJs spin every Wednesday, but the resident DJs every other night of the week keep the dance floor sweaty and packed, while six bars make sure the party maintains a base level of schwasty. Dress classy and be prepared to encounter the super rich, super sloppy, and super foreign internationals.
Ciutadella/Vila Olímpica. Events are listed on the website. Cover €20, includes 1 drink. Restaurant open daily 1pm-1am. Club open M-Th midnight-5am, F-Sa 1-6am, Su midnight-5am.
Gràcia
EL RAÏM 1886
BAR
C. Progrès, 48
A few steps through the cluttered entrance reveals a calm buzz of chatting patrons who come here to unwind after a long week of work. This time capsule of an establishment is a mix of a Catalan bodega and ’50s Cuban bar. Established in 1886, it is now a shrine to Cuban music and memorabilia that attracts down-to-earth locals with rum drinks like the incredible mojitos (€6).
Fontana. Walk downhill on C. Gran de Gràcia and make a left onto C. Ros de Olano. Walk for about 4 blocks and take a right onto C. Torrent de l’Olla. Take the 4th left onto Siracusa; El Raïm is on the corner at the intersection with C. Progrès. Wine €2. Beer €2.30-3. Shots €2-3.50. Mixed drinks €5.50-7. Open daily 8pm-2:30am.
VINILO
BAR
C. Matilde, 2
626 46 7 59
Join the locals on the comfy couches while you enjoy simple tapas and whatever is being played from the back monitor, whether it be movies, concerts, or F.C. Barcelona matches. Ponder at what would possess the interior designers to place such a big gramophone next to the bar and then marvel at the local works of art that grace the walls.
Fontana. Head downhill on C. Gran de Gràcia, turn left onto Travassera Gràcia, and take the 2nd right onto C. Matilde. Beer €2.50-3.50. Mixed drinks €6.50-7. Open in summer M-Th 8pm-3am, F-Sa 8pm-3:30am, Su 8pm-3am; in winter M-Th 8pm-2am, F-Sa 8pm-3am, Su 8pm-2am.
EL CHATELET
BAR
C. Torrijos, 54
932 84 95 90
El Chatelet features happens to dish out some of the biggest glasses of liquor Let’s Go has ever seen. A cozy street corner setting with an adjacent room makes this a rather spacious environment that is nevertheless always crowded with chatty patrons. Big windows give you front row people watching seats that look onto C. Torrijos and C. Perla. Try the sexopata panini, composed of avocado, mayo, and that iconic Iberian ham.
Fontana. Head downhill on C. Gran de Gràcia and turn left onto C. Montseny. Follow it as it turns into C. Perla and turn right onto C. Torrijos. Beer €2-4. Mojitos €3.50, weekends €5.50. Mixed drinks €6. Panini €3.50-4.50. Open M-Th 6pm-2:30am, F-Sa 6pm-3am, Su 6pm-2:30am.
ASTROLABI
BAR, LIVE MUSIC
C. Martínez de la Rosa, 14
You will actually have fun cramming into this 38-person joint, as the live music this place features daily (starting around 9pm) is excellent. The neat, trinket-filled interior is a cozy scene in which to mingle with the happy patrons who frequent this place. Try the crowd pleasing Great Estrella Galicia (€2.80) as you merrily sing along with the mix of locals and internationals.
Diagonal. Take a left onto Pg. de Gràcia, cross Avda. Diagonal, and turn right onto C. Bonavista before Pg. de Gràcia becomes C. Gran de Gràcia. Take a left onto C. Martínez de la Rosa. See Facebook group for special events. Beer €2.50-2.80. Wine from €2. Mixed drinks €6. Cash only. Open M-F 8pm-2:30am, Sa-Su 8pm-3am. Live music daily 10pm.