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El Raval has slowly evolved from a forgotten, seedy no-man’s-land into one of the choicest districts to enjoy provocative modern art and a pulsating, boho-glam party scene. Though not for everyone’s taste, hippy students, tattooed misfits, artists, and more recently trend-seeking nomads routinely bar crawl up and down a stretch of nightlife-friendly streets (Joaquin Costa is one) featuring a wide assortment of divey dens, music bars, pubs, and funky coctelerias.
In a former pastry shop, this vintage bar has retained so much of the 19th-century Moderniste facade and interior touches (onetime cake display cases are now filled with period memorabilia) that visitors might experience the sensation of time standing still. Divided into two equally inviting spaces, the front is usually packed with regulars, while the granite-topped tables in the back are popular with groups.
