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Once the sun goes down, Barcelona streets are filled with carousers out to play, often late into the night. Many an evening begins with a cultural fix: the latest art gallery openings, theater performances, concerts at the cabaret-inspired Milano Cocktail Bar, or opera at the 19th-century Liceu. After midnight, rub elbows with locals at Rubi Bar, a cozy hidden tavern nestled among the posh lounges that pepper Ciutat Vella’s labyrinthine streets, or try one of the organic wine bars of El Born and Gràcia. Be sure to stop by Poble Sec’s Casa Martino, a rising star among the growing selection of evening vermuterias (vermouth bars).
In the urban-hip Eixample district, mixologists whip up classic cocktails with a twist at the ritzy Solange. Poblenou—a neighborhood that has remained defiantly unchanged for years—has experienced something of a renaissance with haunts like the retro Balius Bar, where gin and tonics are served with a jazz chaser. After 2 am, explore the city’s incandescent club life, from the moody dance halls of La Rambla’s hell-raising Plaça Reial, to a selection of glamorous seaside venues in Port Olímpic. Whatever you choose, one thing is clear: Barcelona never surrenders to the night.
An illuminated red globe marks this speakeasy-style cocktail bar, tucked away on a narrow side street. With its cool jazz soundtrack and tiny tables topped with flickering candles, the space oozes sophistication but the vibe is relaxed thanks to the friendly staff.
Sporting the original sign and glass shelving of the pharmacy (droguería) that once stood here, Balius Bar has retro-chic decor, great music (check out the live jazz sessions on Sunday evening), and top-notch cocktails.
The natural wine craze has taken Barcelona by storm and nowhere has a funkier natty selection or more delicious seasonal dishes to accompany it than Bandini's. Try a local pet-nat from Catalonia---which happens to be one of the world's leading natural wine-producing regions---and whatever fresh, in-season veggies are on the menu.
The marble bar of this former codfish shop once served as a display for fish; now it presents some mighty fine (and affordable) cocktails, along with beer and wine. If things get too crowded downstairs, there’s another floor above — if you can manage the impossibly narrow spiral staircase.
As the name implies, there’s a jazz soundtrack and a wide selection of local and international beers, on tap and by the bottle, with sandwiches and hamburgers available to mop up the hard stuff. The stone walls adorned with antique paintings and clocks give the space a warm ambience.
Barcelona's cocktail game is so strong these days that it can be hard to stand out from the crowd, yet Dr Stravinsky does so with aplomb. You'd easily miss this tiny bar hidden down one of the prettiest alleyways in El Born---or at least you might have done, had it not been for the line of thirsty punters outside. Once inside, take a seat at the bar and prepare to be wowed by a signature cocktail list that offers none of the classics but plenty of pizzazz.
Specializing in local wine from Catalonia, this charming wine bar—an escape from the rowdy watering holes in nearby Passeig del Born and Plaça Comercial—also has an impressive tapas menu.
Diminutive in size but huge in personality and warmth, Elephanta is that rare neighborhood spot that offers a little something for everyone. Patrons enjoy an extensive menu of quality gins and seasonal fruity cocktails in a dimly lighted retro space peppered with comfy mismatched furnishings. Music varies though the ambience is always chill.
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.
Serving natural wines mainly from France and Spain, with many varieties from the nearby Penedès and Alella regions, this delightful bar also offers a nice selection of upscale tapas. The waitstaff is friendly, multilingual, and highly knowledgeable about the history and terroir of the wines. The cozy interior has an attractive rustic-chic design, but try for a seat on the terrace, right on Barceloneta’s lively market square.
Bohemia meets the Moulin Rouge at this intimate, below-street-level bordello-inspired bar with turn-of-the-20th-century memorabilia like fringed lampshades, faded period portraits, and comfy wicker sofas cushioned with lush red velvet. There's usually jazz playing in this laid-back spot where guests linger over reasonably priced cocktails (whiskey sours are popular).
A mishmash of retro furniture and black-and-white vintage photos decorate this warm-mannered, wood-paneled bar. It's a great spot to chill with a glass of wine or vermouth and nibble on tapas that are renowned for their excellent quality-price ratio.
Conceptualized to celebrate wine culture at its finest, this spectacular space, aptly called "Wineworld" in Catalan, features a ritzy wine bar complete with tablet wine lists, a cavernous culinary space, a reference library, a vertical garden, and the pièce de résistance: a vast cellar housing a mind-blowing 3,500 vintages from around the world. Small plates of regional jamón and inventive riffs on classical Catalan cuisine complement the vino. Wine tastings, both traditional and creative, are held regularly for groups or individuals looking to become oenophiles.
Opened by a trio of vermouth aficionados, Morro Fi (loosely translates as “refined palate”) began as a food blog that morphed into a bar determined to educate people about enjoying vermouth (they even produce their own brand) with select tapas. The result? Locals and the odd expat routinely spilling out into the streets, drink in hand, while indie music blares.
Reminiscent of a '50s-style gin joint—black and white with red quilted booths and framed prints—this small-but-swanky bar regularly draws in the crowds due in large part to entertaining master mixologists (nattily dressed in suspenders and ties) and their out-of-this-world experimental takes on cocktail classics.
When it comes to wine, the team at Pepa really know their grapes, and they excel with natural wines, though there's also vermouth and artisanal beer if you're in the mood for that. The food is excellent, too, and it's all served in an old converted library.
There's a reason SIPS is considered one of the best bars in the world, drawing from a menu influenced by seasonal ingredients and using state-of-the-art techniques to mix a range of classic recipes and signature concoctions. Those in the know head to the back room, which seats just 14 people, for a truly immersive cocktail experience.
Adding a little uptown pizzazz to boho-chic enclave Gràcia, this diminutive, minimalist, white-walled wine bar and eatery is the local “it” vintage. Wines sourced and served with engaging backstories can be sampled at the seven-seater bar or at a table, accompanied by a large assortment of cured meats, cheeses, and salads or with a few choice liquors. Advance booking is highly recommended.
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