Must-see nightlife in Barcelona

  • SKYE Coffee

    Barcelona

    Hang out at communal tables over single-origin flat whites and cortados (espressos with a dribble of milk) inside the cavernous Espacio 88, an innovative…

  • La Mari Ollero

    Barcelona

    With red-brick walls and marble tables, elegant La Mari Ollero brings a buzzy contemporary spin and a jolly Andalucian touch to the classic Catalan…

  • Bodega Vidrios y Cristales

    Barcelona

    In a history-steeped, stone-floored 1840 building, this atmospheric little jewel recreates an old-style neighbourhood bodega with tins of sardines,…

  • Milano

    L'Eixample

    Subtly signed from street level, this gem of hidden Barcelona nightlife is a subterranean old-school cocktail bar with red-velvet banquettes and glass…

  • Bosc de les Fades

    La Rambla & Barri Gòtic

    The 'Forest of the Fairies' is popular with tourists but offers a whimsical retreat from the busy Rambla nearby and has a wonderfully kitsch charm. Lounge…

  • Can Paixano

    Barcelona

    This lofty double-name cava bar has long been run on a winning formula: its own super-affordable bubbly rosé, served in elegant little glasses and…

  • El Rincón Cubano

    Barcelona

    Cuban cocktails (including Cuba libres and el presidentes) and beers (Mayabe, Tinima and Cacique) are served alongside authentic snacks such as pasteles …

  • Syra Coffee

    Barcelona

    Local professionals and students pop into this sprawling minimalist-design space, with shared standing tables and a circular counter, for matcha lattes,…

  • Salts Montjuïc

    Barcelona

    Overlooking Montjuïc's municipal pools (with a €25 evening swim-and-dine deal available!), this all-day terrace bar from the team behind much-loved La…

  • Three Marks

    L'Eixample

    Catalan-Italian-owned by, yes, three Marks, this is a split-level stripped-back speciality-coffee corner with a cosy neighbourhood vibe, whitewashed walls…

  • La Isabela

    La Rambla & Barri Gòtic

    Overlooking La Rambla, this tucked-away roof-terrace bar at the elegant Hotel 1898 is a soothing haven of stripy sun loungers, sprinkled greenery and…

  • Cafè de l’Òpera

    La Rambla & Barri Gòtic

    Opposite the Gran Teatre del Liceu, La Rambla’s most traditional cafe has been operating since 1929 and remains popular with opera-goers. It's pleasant…

  • La Violeta

    Barcelona

    A regularly changing line-up of natural wines (glass €3.50 to €5.50), both Spanish and international, wanders into the spotlight at this cosy bar with…

  • La Nena

    Barcelona

    At this delightfully chaotic cafe, indulge in cups of suïssos (rich hot chocolate) served with heavy homemade whipped cream and melindros (spongy sweet…

  • Clubhaus

    La Ribera

    Upstairs: graffiti-clad concrete walls, lively pool table, Mexican-style street food. Downstairs: table tennis, crafted cocktails, meaty American-inspired…

  • La Vermuteria del Tano

    Barcelona

    Scarcely changed in decades, with barrels on the walls, old fridges with wooden doors, vintage clocks and marble-topped tables, this corner vermouth bar…

  • El Maravillas

    Barcelona

    Overlooking Les Corts' peaceful Plaça de la Concòrdia, El Maravillas is an escape from the crowded Ciutat Vella (Old City), filled with tiled floors,…

  • Satan's Coffee Corner

    L'Eixample

    Home-baked pastries and Japanese-inspired, street-food-style bites (€3 to €12) pair with devilishly delicious seasonal beans at this white-walled…

  • Gimlet

    Barcelona

    Under the watch of the talented folk behind popular restaurant Cerveceria San Fernández next door, and Dry Martini in L'Eixample, red-dressed, stylishly…

  • Elephanta

    Barcelona

    Off Gràcia's main drag, this petite cocktail bar has an old-fashioned feel, with plush green banquettes, art-lined walls and a five-seat bar with vintage…

  • Blue Wave

    Barcelona

    Right on the water, this prize-winning, marine-inspired bar is designed like a tumbling wave, with shimmering blue tiling, earthy tones on the terrace,…

  • El Rouge

    Barcelona

    Decadence is the word that springs to mind in this bordello-red lounge-cocktail bar, with acid jazz, drum and bass, and other sounds drifting in the…

  • Absenta

    Barcelona

    Decorated with old paintings, vintage lamps, check-tiled floors, stained-glass windows and curious sculptures, this whimsical drinking den specialises in…

  • Salterio

    La Rambla & Barri Gòtic

    Wafts of fresh mint greet you at this seductive teahouse tucked down a tiny lane in El Call. Salterio serves authentic Moroccan mint teas (€4), Turkish…

  • SlowMov

    Barcelona

    SlowMov founders Carmen and François work directly with coffee producers to responsibly source their seasonal, single-origin beans, which are roasted on…

  • El Xampanyet

    La Ribera

    Nothing has changed for decades at chaotic El Xampanyet, one of Barcelona's best-known cava (sparkling wine) bars. It's usually packed, but plant yourself…

  • Abaixadors 10

    La Ribera

    Part radio station, part DJ-led dance club, part gourmet cocktail bar from the La Confiteria group (which is behind some of Barcelona's best cocktail…

  • Granja M Viader

    El Raval

    For over a century, people have been coming to this classically Catalan milk bar for hot chocolate ladled out with whipped cream (ask for a suís). The…

  • Alaire

    L'Eixample

    From the Condes de Barcelona hotel lobby, a sparkling glass lift zips up to this sleek 8th-floor roof-terrace bar with soul-stirring views across Passeig…

  • La Teteria

    La Rambla & Barri Gòtic

    Globally inspired options at this boho-feel corner include herbal teas, Turkish coffee, mango lassi and fresh juices, as well as home-baked cakes and…

  • Bodega Maestrazgo

    La Ribera

    Going strong since 1952, this beautifully traditional, third-generation, stone-walled bodega sources thousands of interesting wines from across Catalonia,…

  • Marula Café

    La Rambla & Barri Gòtic

    The Barri Gòtic outpost of a Madrid-born nightlife sensation, Marula transports you to the 1970s and the best in funk and soul. James Brown fans will…

  • Bar del Pi

    La Rambla & Barri Gòtic

    A welcome slice of old Barcelona in the thick of the Barri Gòtic, this friendly (admittedly touristed) split-level cafe-bar has been powering on since the…

  • BrewDog Barcelona

    L'Eixample

    Spain's first branch of beloved Scottish artisan-beer label BrewDog is set within a boldly reimagined early-20th-century bank, with 20 taps on the go. The…

  • Bar Sauvage

    La Ribera

    The ever-so-slightly more relaxed sister to party-hard Creps al Born across the road, this elegant good-time cocktail bar expertly knocks up original,…

  • La Fira

    L'Eixample

    Wander in past crazy mirrors, penny slot machines and other ancient fairground attractions from Germany, as well as futuristic furniture like glowing…

  • Vai Moana

    Barcelona

    Candlelit tables, loungey beats and colourful cocktails bring a beachy Polynesian vibe to this easy-breezy xiringuito on Bogatell's lively, silky sands…

  • Old Fashioned

    Barcelona

    At this moody, shoebox-sized Gràcia hang-out, creative mixologists smartly outfitted in braces rustle up wildly original reinventions of the classic Old…

  • Monkey Factory

    L'Eixample

    DJs spin on weekends at this high-spirited venue but it's positively hopping from early on most nights, often hosting language-exchange sessions. Funky…

  • El Ciclista

    Barcelona

    As the name suggests, this elegant little cocktail bar is Barcelona's original cycle-themed boozy hang-out – expect bike-wheel chandeliers and tables,…

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