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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.
Run by the Barcelona contemporary music school next door, this workshop and, during the day, café is a forum for musicians, teachers, and fans to listen to and debate their art. Most weeks, the schedule offers jazz on Monday and Wednesday; pop, blues, and rock jam sessions on Tuesday; Cuban salsa on Thursday; flamenco on Friday; and rock and pop on weekends. The small cover charge (€8–€15, depending on which night you visit) includes a drink. Gigs start between 7 and 9 pm.
