|
|
Bars, Music Venues and Nightclubs
Barcelona has a deserved reputation for being one of the best places in Europe to go out. Nightlife starts late, and goes on even later. Typically, the locals will eat at 10pm, go to a bar at 12 and then head for a night club at 2am. Each of the areas of the city has its own characteristics, although the Barrio Gotico and Born tend to be the epicentres.
The Raval Area
The Raval has been undergoing a transformation in the last decade or so. While some parts are still pretty seedy, the Raval now hosts a number of fashionable bars and music venues.
Bar Marsella
Living History
Lays claim to being the oldest bar in Barcelona. Founded by a Frenchman (hence the name) it was renowned for serving Absinthe to famous clients, among them Hemingway. Now it attracts a mostly young crowd of locals and visitors.
C/Sant Pau, 65 | Tel: 93 442 72 63 | Web : Bar Marsella
London Bar
A late-opening classic
Opened in 1910, and with very little changed since then, the London Bar (really more a pub than a bar) is another classic night time destination. Dali and Picasso are supposed to have drunk here in their time, but now you’ll find an interesting mix of locals and international visitors. Stays open until 5am (correct at time of writing) and often stages live music.
Nou de La Rambla, 34 | Tel : 93 318 52 61
The Born
Now home to probably the best selection of restaurants in Barcelona, the Born also has a good number of cool bars. The centre of night life is the Passeig del Born, but the narrow alleys around the Santa Maria del Mar church hide a multitude of stylish venues in which to have a drink.
Mudanzas
Unprententious
One of the more traditional watering holes in the Born, this small bar attracts an eclectic bunch of drinkers, both locals and visitors. Generally friendly and unpretentious atmosphere.
Vidrieria, 15 | 93 319 11 37
La Fianna
Glamorous restaurant / cocktail bar which comes recommended by both Time Out and Vogue.
Serves international cuisine before midnight and then turns into a fashionable and popular place to share a fancy cocktail with friends.
Banys Vells, 15 | 93 315 18 10
Va de Vi
Tucked away in a narrow street in the Born and owned by a former sommelier, this Gothic-style bar has over 1,000 wines on its wine list. Bare stone walls and subtle lighting add to the charm.
C/Banys Vells, 16 | 93. 319 29 00
The Olympic Port
The Olympic Port has a large number of free-to-enter bars all in a row next to each other. Good fun if you are on a stag or hen night (but keep an eye out for pickpockets!); if you are looking for something a bit more sophisticated you might want to avoid this area.
The Kennedy Bar
Football, Football and more Football
If you absolutely must watch football during your stay in Barcelona, this is the place for you. On Champions League nights, the pub shows four games simultaneously, and keeping up with all the action can be difficult even for the most experienced armchair supporter. Pretty waitresses take your order from the table (no need to queue at the bar) and will happily dish out free peanuts if you ask nicely.
Moll Mestral 26 | 93. 221-0039
The Eixample
As the Eixample covers a huge part of Barcelona there is no one area to go out in and in general more traditional bars and restaurants predominate. However, you will find many younger, trendier bars which tend to have a larger proportion of locals than foreigners.
Bikini
Classic Nightclub
Due to its location this is one Barcelona destination where you’ll find people from Barcelona! Large night club which won’t really get going until 2. Follows the UK system of themed “nights” so check first to find out the type of music on offer.
Carrer de Déu i Mata 105 | Tel: 93 322 08 00 | Web: www.bikinibcn.com
Buda Bar
Very Fashionable
Luxury restaurant/bar/lounge catering to an upmarket clientele. Expensive drinks stylishly served by the highly professional bar staff. Keep your eyes open and you might see a famous footballer or two.
Pau Claris, 92 | Tel : 93 318 42 52 | Web : www.budarestaurante.com
Luz de Gas
Upmarket Music Venue
Another favourite with upper class Catalans, Luz de Gas is a theatre style restaurant / music venue with live music virtually every day. Attracts a slightly older crowd than other venues.
Muntaner, 246 | 93 209 77 11 | Web : www.luzdegas.com
Oli en un Llum
Stylish bar by the same owners as Luz de Gas. Also offers food, but the emphasis is definitely on providing a cool environment to enjoy a drink in.
Carrer del Bon Pastor, 6 | Teléfono : 93.201.73.97
Barrio Gotico
The Barrio Gotico is always busy at night. Walk down the Ramblas at 2 in the morning and you’ll see nearly as many people as during the day. There are a huge number of bars and restaurants catering to a wide selection of tastes. Wander around until you find something you like the look of or try:
Muebles Ciudad
Chill out Glamour
Opened in 2004 and maybe not as fashionable as it once was, this Dining Room / Chill Out lounge still attracts a cool crowd of locals and international bright young things.
Ciutat 5 | Tel : 93 317 59 89
Jamboree
Music Venue / Nightclub
Central venue offering live music, normally Jazz, early in the night before transforming itself into a more traditional night club in the early hours. A mainstay of the Barcelona music scene.
Plaça Reial 17 | Tel: 93 319 17 89 (info) | Web: www.masimas.com/jamboree
Zona Alta
Nightlife in this more genteel area of the city tends to be few and far between, however where it exists it tends to cater to a more sophisticated (and richer) clientele.
La Cova Del Drac
Upmarket Jazz Venue
Run by the same group which manages the larger Jamboree, this is a good venue for Jazz.
Located in Zona Alta, the wealthier part of the city, you’ll rub shoulders with well.heeled Catalans rather than the more international crowd found in city centre venues.
Carrer de Vallmajor, 33 | Tel: 93 319 17 89 | Web : www.masimas.com/jazzroom
Gracia
Probably the youngest and liveliest Barrio (neighbourhood) in Barcelona, the bars and restaurants in Gracia tend to be smaller and more down-to-earth, although there are an increasing number of designer venues. Popular with young residents of the city, there is a more alternative and bohemian feel than other parts of the city.
Otto Zutz
Big Barcelona Nightclub
A classic night time venue, arranged over three spacious floors, which is usually full with young, affluent Catalans. The attitude can be a bit pretentious, and the music a bit out-of-date (at least by London standards), but, if you want to boogie down with the locals, this is the place.
Carrer Lincoln, 15 | Tel : 93 238 07 22
Almodo Bar
Pun intended
The bar’s name is a play on words which fans of Spanish cinema should have no problem deciphering. Indeed, the bar does have a cinematic theme. However, its main aim is to cater to mildly fashionable 25-35s who perhaps aren’t too keen on the younger, grungier bars in the neighbourhood.
Grassot, 36 | Tel: 93 207 38 55
Other Areas
Going out and socialising are hugely important in Spain, so outside of the areas we’ve listed you’ll find many other interesting bars and music venues, including two institutions of Barcelona nightlife:
Razzmatazz
The best music venue in town.
Housed in an old industrial building in the Poblenou area of the city, Razzmatazz is both nightclub and live-music venue. Hosts a large number of well known bands.
c/ Almogàvers 122 (Mapa) | Tel : 93 272 09 10 | Web: www.salarazzmatazz.com
Terrazza
The most glamorous club in town.
One of the most glamorous night clubs you’ll find anywhere. Its large outdoor terrace (hence the name) is usually packed with the young and the fashionable.
Only open in the summer, it occasionally runs into trouble with the Local Authority over noise levels, even being forced to close when year. So check first.
Web: http://www.laterrrazza.com
Other Activities
Liceu
Catalonia has a grand tradition of producing world class opera singers - both Montserrat Caballé and Jose Carreras are Catalans - and the opulent Liceu has an equally strong tradition in staging opera. Has you would expect, tickets can be expensive.
La Rambla 51-59. , Tel : 93 485 99 98
The Magic Fountain
Plaza Espanya / Montjuic
The top attraction of Universal Exposition in 1888 and still going strong more than a century later.
Two or four nights per week (depending on the season) the Fountain puts on a free extravaganza of light, music and water (obviously), all wonderfully choreographed, and with the hill of Mountjuic offering an imposing backdrop.
Schedule of Magical Fountain
Winter: From October to April
Friday & Saturday: 19:00 – 21:00
Summer: From May to September
Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 20:00-00:00
Entry : Free
Pl. Carles Buígas, 1 (al final de la Avda. María–Cristina)
Flamenco
Flamenco has its roots in Andalucia in the South of Spain, and is not traditional in Catalonia, although the Gypsy community in Barcelona has produced some well known dancers/musicians. However, if you are a fan of Flamenco, and Barcelona is your only stop in Spain, then there are a couple of venues (tablaos) in which to see live performances.
They do cater almost exclusively to tourists, but the quality of the singers, dancers and musicians should be high.
El tabloa de Carmen
Located in the fantasy land of Poble Español this is a small bar/theatre where the audience are seated comfortably around tables and can enjoy a nice glass of wine during the performances. There are normally two shows per night. Tickets: From 31 € - 83 €
Avda Marqués de Comillas (Pueblo Español) | Tel: 93 325 68 95
El Cordobés
Founded in 1970, the Cordovans has been considered one of the most important flamenco tablaos in Spain.
It has welcomed great flamenco artists like Farruco, Camarón, Manuela Carrasco, Eva la Yerbabuena, Belén Maya and Rafael de Carmen. Tickets: 30 € - 60 €
La Rambla, 35 | Tablao Cordobés
Los Tarantos
A different concept in flamenco tablao. With lower prices than the traditional tablaos, Los Tarantos aims to bring Flamenco to the masses. On a normal night, young flamenco apprentices offer a series of short performances and tickets are cheap. If better known artists come to town, prices are higher. Now part of the mas-i-mas group.
Tickets: 5 - 10 €
Plaça Reial, 17 | Tel : 93 319 17 89 | Web : www.masimas.com |
