10 top bars in Barcelona

We absolutely love Barcelona – for the mercats, the little bars, the food, the beach: everything. What’s also great is that the hospitality scene isn’t afraid of innovation. You can always find old-school pintxos/tapas with a cold caña or a good glass of wine in virtually any little bar you stumble across, but it’s not called a hip & happening global city for nothing!

Ready for a city break to Catalonia’s top destination? Sultry underground spots and/or high-end luxury venues are springing up like mushrooms, or have by now firmly established their name. These are ten noteworthy top bars right now:

Clubhaus

A fitting name, because in this exuberantly decorated venue you can enjoy a serious game of table football, karaoke or darts, but also coffee (and wifi) during the day. In the evening, it turns into a pumping club(haus), with rock-solid cocktails and Mexican street food.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8zK7umIkql/

Bobby Gin

The gin and tonic has achieved something of cult status in Spain, and in this venue it is therefore the holy grail. They even have copyright on a large number of their creations! According to connoisseurs, they make the best in the city, and the staff will be happy to help you find the gin you’ll really enjoy. But be sure to try several cocktails: for example, this incredible Red Snapper:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbmBoMiDzkt/

Creps al Born

People still order a crêpe here for appearances’ sake (and to put something in their stomach), but really this is simply one of the city’s hottest, wildest cocktelerias. Tiny, so late at night people stand crammed together in a sweaty, pumping mini-crowd, enjoying whatever the exuberant bar staff serves them. Or pours for them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw9yyIZnM3z/

Bar Sauvage

Bar Sauvage is the slightly less crazy little sister of the aforementioned Creps al Born. Directly opposite; also hip, also full of beautiful people and also serving stunning cocktails, but with a little luck, somewhat quieter. Definitely order the Roxanne with salted chocolate and whisky, ‘served cold, like your ex’s heart’, or the ‘don’t break a heel bitch’ Stiletto.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiZDfHlAU7K/

Tandem cocktail bar

Take a breather from all the craziness at the quieter Tandem, where the waiters are well-mannered and the crowd a little older. Perfect if you want to sink onto a red velvet stool in a relaxed setting with a classic such as a dirty martini.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Yx1usIj-P/

Two Schmucks

A small venue with little fuss or ‘concept’, apart from being fun and friendly and lovingly choosing and making the perfect cocktail for you. Casual and relaxed but pleasantly busy at the weekend, when you can still happily stand outside with your drink.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz8ecMyonAg/

The Alchemix

A venue that is quite conceptual, but very cool in its approach, is The Alchemix. No endlessly long cocktail menu or unfettered freedom here, but a well-considered menu that perfectly pairs 11 carefully crafted cocktails with a small selection of Asian-inspired bites. Molecular concoctions with a guaranteed wow effect.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkVWMjsH6Gl/

Senyor Vermut

You don’t go to Senyor Vermut for the trendiness, but to feel a little less like a tourist. A large, convivial venue full of locals, alongside whom you can casually order a red vermouth too (with orange and ice), as well as one of those irresistible little dishes of patatas bravas. Go!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxpSgLAo69S/

Can Cisa

A huge selection of natural wines and knowledgeable service in this cool, cosy venue. A wall full of wine, sitting cosily at a small table or joining others at the large one, and ordering bites from the neighbouring Bar Brutal. Life is good, guys…

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4X0dtIC9oP/

Paradiso

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ozNw-oiKE/

Paradiso is the kind of bar that requires a little effort, hidden behind a refrigerator door inside a pastrami shop, but then they pull out all the stops. Flames, smoke, spectacular techniques and a little show while preparing the drinks; these bartenders are top of their game. Inventive, colourful and surprising cocktails, made as much as possible with seasonal ingredients from the Santa Catarina market.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwKp8_KnxEU/

Header image: Instagram, Bar Sauvage

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