Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona’s Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth
Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - La Rambla's Lively Libations
As one of Barcelona's most famous streets, La Rambla is known for its constant buzz of activity day and night. Lined with restaurants, shops, street performers, and pedestrians, it's the perfect place to sip a drink and people watch. Though touristy, La Rambla still retains much of its old world charm, especially after dark when its bars and pubs come alive.
Start your evening with a glass of cava at Xampanyeria Can Paixano. This standing-room-only cava bar has been serving up inexpensive bottles of sparkling wine and tapas since 1969. Pop a few olives in your mouth then make your way through the crowd to fill your glass straight from the cava spouts built into the walls. Chat up fellow revelers as you take in the laid-back, lively atmosphere.
Further down La Rambla, stop into Bar Lobo for innovative cocktails made with locally-sourced ingredients. Snag a seat at the bar to watch the skilled bartenders shaking up unique concoctions like the Lobo Sour, made with carquinyoli biscuits, or the Vermouth Arlequín, featuring thyme-infused vermouth. Bar Lobo also serves a selection of tapas like patatas bravas and Iberian ham croquettes to complement your drinks.
As evening turns into night, head to El Jardi for live music and a taste of absinthe. El Jardi has an artsy, bohemian vibe with candlelit tables, hanging plants, and local musicians performing jazz and flamenco sets. Sip on an absinthe cocktail as you relax to the music. Try their house special Jardi, made with absinthe, rosemary, lemon, and sugar.
No night on La Rambla is complete without sangria. Find an outdoor table at Los Gabachos and order a pitcher to share. This small tavern pours some of the best sangria in the area. Made fresh daily, it's fruity and potent. The sangria tastes even better when paired with authentic Spanish tapas like patatas bravas, stuffed dates, and Spanish omelets.
Bodega Vidala is another excellent spot for sampling sangria in a cozy setting. Owner Pepe lovingly makes his sangria recipes by hand using wine from local Catalan vineyards. Savor the raspberry or white peach flavors as you chat with Pepe and other patrons. Bodega Vidala truly feels like an authentic local watering hole.
End your evening on La Rambla with live blues music at JazzSí Club. Their band starts playing around midnight and performs into the early morning hours. Order a mojito or caipirinha and let the soulful vocals, piano melodies, and saxophone solos transport you. It's an intimate venue with talent worthy of a world-class stage.
What else is in this post?
- Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - La Rambla's Lively Libations
- Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - Gothic Quarter's Hidden Gems
- Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - Born's Bohemian Beverages
- Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - Gràcia's Gathering Grounds
- Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - Eixample's Eccentric Elixirs
- Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - Sant Antoni's Sophisticated Sips
- Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - El Raval's Electric Energy
- Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - Barceloneta's Beachfront Beverages
Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - Gothic Quarter's Hidden Gems
Tucked away in the winding alleys of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter lie some of the city's most surprising and eclectic watering holes. Though overrun with tourists by day, at night the Gothic Quarter transforms into a maze of hidden bars where locals gather over vermouths, small plates, and good conversation. Venture into these nooks and experience Barcelona's authentic, laidback nightlife.
One such haunt is La Confitería. To find it, trace your fingers along the weathered stone facades as you weave down Carrer Sant Domènec del Call until you arrive at the inconspicuous wooden door. Step inside the candlelit bar and you'll be enveloped in vintage romance with boudoir lamps, velvet loveseats, oil paintings, and marble tables that transport you to 19th century Barcelona. Request a glass of cava and browse their extensive vermouth and gin collections. La Confitería masters the G&T with expertly mixed gin combos like rosemary and ginger or strawberry and black pepper.
Down an alley off Carrer de la Canuda lies Rubí Bar, a sliver of a watering hole brimming with locals. Take a seat at one of the tiny wooden tables out front and strike up a conversation with whoever sits down next to you. Rubí pours a solid vermouth on the rocks. Pair it with selections from their menu of artisanal cheeses, Iberian hams, and smoked fish. For wine, try their tempranillo or pick a full-bodied red from their stash of 350 Spanish bottles. Stop in on Sundays to catch live flamenco music that will transport you to the heart of Spain.
To experience Barcelona's craft beer scene, head to Ale&Hop in a tucked-away square near the cathedral. This cozy pub offers 20 rotating taps pouring local brews from Catalonia's rising independent breweries. Sip your IPA, pale ale, or gose as you chat with the friendly bartenders about Barcelona's exploding craft beer movement. Ale&Hop pairs their brews with perfectly salted popcorn to stimulate thirst. They also serve sandwiches, including a divine pastrami melt, to satisfy any hunger pangs.
End your Gothic Quarter bar crawl at Paradiso, a lively speakeasy that's anything but hidden. Look for the neon martini glass sign and walk downstairs to enter a Gaudi-esque world of colorful mosaics, surrealist sculptures, swings and mirrors. Pick a seat in a cocoon-like pod or slide up to the bar to watch flair bartenders flip bottles with abandon. Paradiso's creative menu features molecular cocktails smoking with dry ice and dripping with exotic flavors like yuzu and Szechuan peppercorn. Their signature Paradiso martini mixes rum, passionfruit and popcorn for a tropical treat. With fresh beats and a friendly crowd, Paradiso is the perfect place to dance the night away.
Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - Born's Bohemian Beverages
Tucked amid the twisting alleys of El Born lies a bohemian wonderland of bars where artists, musicians, and free spirits gather to indulge in libations. Once the epicenter of Barcelona's medieval trades and guilds, El Born faded into dilapidation until its resurgence as a trendy neighborhood known for boutique shops, food markets, and hip drinking dens. Night owls flock to El Born to sing flamenco laments until the break of dawn.
At the historic Miró bar, Pablo Picasso once paid his bar tab with original sketches, now proudly displayed across the tavern’s wood-paneled walls. Take a seat where Picasso sat and watch old Catalan men play games of chess. The nostalgic spirit of Miró captivates as you sip vermouth from wooden barrels along with the locals that frequent this storied enclave. Outside, find La Vinya del Senyor, a wine bar set in a peaceful cloistered plaza. Under the glow of string lights and towering palms, indulge in a glass of Priorat red, a complex blend made by local monks.
Juanra Falces so embodies El Born’s artistic soul that he named his bar after himself. Step past the bicycle parked out front into Juanra Falces’ world of guitar melodies, lip-smacking mojitos, and walls dense with graffiti tagging its history. Juanra himself concocts surreal cocktail infusions and hosts exhibitions for up-and-coming local artists. His mojitos spotlight Catalan flavors like strawberry and mint or blackberry and sage. The true treasure lies upstairs in Bar Juanra’s intimate concert lounge where heartfelt singer-songwriters and acoustic trios often play into the midnight hours.
Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - Gràcia's Gathering Grounds
Far from downtown's touristy bustle lies the village-like neighborhood of Gràcia, where locals flock to lively plazas flanked with terrace bars perfect for whiling away the Mediterranean nights. Gràcia's gathering grounds hum with convivial energy, drawing bohemians, musicians, and young Catalans who dine al fresco, debate politics, and dance until dawn under the starry skies.
Among Gràcia’s beloved community hubs is Plaça Rius i Taulet, where the outdoor terraces of Bar Canigó and Le Journal Café brim with patrons chatting, reading newspapers, and playing board games late into the evening. Stop to admire the 19th century church presiding over the plaza before grabbing an outdoor table at Canigó to sip vermouth on the rocks served the traditional way, with an orange slice. Try their house vermouth, made from a secret recipe of herbs and spices. Le Journal Café also pours excellent vermouths and imaginative gin and tonics. Their petit gourmand menu offers Mediterranean small plates like anchovies, smoked salmon, and cheeses from the nearby Pyrenees mountains.
At the triangle-shaped Plaça del Sol, Bar La Federica draws locals with its excellent vermouth, cocktails, and casual vibe. Belly up to the rounded bar adorned with hanging copper pots for a refreshing Federica, their signature cocktail starring cava and elderflower liqueur. Outdoor seating fills fast as a young creative crowd stops by for after-work drinks and tapas. Nearby Bar Canigó, not to be confused with the other Canigó, serves rotating vermouths and craft beers perfect for sipping outside under the towering Acacia tree at the center of the plaza.
Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - Eixample's Eccentric Elixirs
Barcelona's Eixample district dazzles with architectural wonders, upscale boutiques, and some of the city’s most eccentric watering holes. Get lost down side streets lined with sprawling Modernist buildings and discover sophisticated lounges where indulgent cocktails take center stage.
At Dry Martini, white-jacketed bartenders exude old world refinement as they shake up Barcelona’s best martinis. Plush green leather chairs provide the perfect perch for sampling their extensive martini menu covering both the classic and the exotic. Try the eye-catching Blue Lagoon, tinted bright turquoise from curaçao liqueur and adorned with a flaming orange zest garnish. Their signature Dry Martini packs the perfect smooth yet sharp punch. If hunger strikes, order a martini alongside freshly shucked oysters or foie gras torchons. Waiters efficiently whisk dishes tableside with crisp white-gloved hands.
Nearby, the swanky speakeasy Bobby Gin defies Prohibition-era norms by hiding in plain sight on a busy corner, its unmarked frosted glass door beckoning those in the know. Once inside, select a stool at the gleaming horseshoe bar and sample over 100 unique gins from Spain and beyond. Spanish gins like Gin Raw showcase local botanicals through distinctive flavors such as roasted almond, rosemary, and Seville orange. The knowledgeable bartenders share tasting notes as they mix classic gin drinks like Negronis or custom creations like their Bobby Mule, kicking with ginger, lime, and sugarcane syrup.
At Milano, pause from shopping Passeig de Gràcia to sink into a leather club chair amidst walls lined with vintage jazz albums. This chill lounge exudes Rat Pack elegance with servers donning fedoras and live piano jazz setting a smooth soundtrack. Milano mixes what many hail as Barcelona’s best Manhattan, blending fine bourbon and Italian amaros. Or try their Milano Negroni with chocolate bitters. Shared plates of Italian antipasti make an ideal accompaniment for their retro cocktails and sway-worthy tunes.
Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - Sant Antoni's Sophisticated Sips
Beyond the colorful markets and tempting tapas bars of Sant Antoni lies a sophisticated scene of clandestine cocktail dens and natural wine hideaways. Venture past the neighborhood’s vibrant exterior to uncover low-lit lairs marked only by cryptic symbols. Sant Antoni rewards after-dark exploration with incognito gems cherished by locals in-the-know.
To enter the unmarked Dr. Stravinsky speakeasy, ring the buzzer near the lone lamppost out front. Behind the ominously dark wood door, an intimate space with bookshelves and red leather booths opens up. Take a seat at the elevated bar to watch with quiet reverence as white-jacketed mixologists perform an elegant ritual using hand-carved ice, ephemeral foams, and exotic bitters to create unexpected taste sensations. Botanical ingredients from nearby mountains and seas transform classic templates into modern masterpieces. Sip slowly and let layers of aniseed, citrus oils and spice unfurl across your palate. A menu of Petri dish presentations and molecular gastronomy enhance the experience.
At quality wine shop Ungrafted, step past the retail bottles into the sleek back-bar for natural wines by small producers. Let passionate servers guide you through unique varietals and terroir while recommending ideal pairings like sheep’s milk cheese with an orange Wine from Georgia. With moody interiors and soft music, Ungrafted seduces with sommelier-approved pours. Or head downstairs to their new cocktail den Mother Of Pearl. Under hanging ferns and geometric tiles, rare Japanese whiskies and Asian ingredients get decadent twists in libations like the smoky Black Pearl with Yamazaki 12-Year whiskey, sweet potato, and lapsang souchong syrup.
Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - El Raval's Electric Energy
El Raval thrums with an electric energy after dark when its multicultural dive bars and underground music venues spring to life. Just west of La Rambla, this melting pot neighborhood flowed with bohemians, immigrants, and misfits even before becoming an artist enclave. Night crawlers wander Barrio Chino’s red lantern-lit streets, letting thesounds of raucous revelry and heart-thumping beats guide their path.
At Bar Marsella, Hemingway once sipped absinthe amid Art Nouveau posters, antique revolvers, and dusty spirit bottles lining the 1820 walls. Today, locals pack elbow-to-elbow at its U-shaped bar knocking back inexpensive drinks. Order an absinthe ritual to channel Papa Hemingway. Watch as water slowly drips over a sugar cube to sweeten and dilute the potent green liquor swimming below.
Down the road at London Bar, tourists and neighborhood regulars mix under the glowing red British telephone booths flanking the entrance. This iconic expat hangout makes killer mojitos. The chilled rum and mint concoction goes down easy on balmy nights outside on the terrace. Inside, cheap Spanish beer flows freely as patrons cheer on football and rugby matches beamed in on widescreen TVs.
At Jazz Sí Club, genuine jazz cats trade licks until 3am when the last dancing patron stumbles out. Regular artists plus guests like touring American greats grace the intimate stage. Arrive to catch early shows then stay as the music evolves over long jam sessions. Let the wailing brass, walking basslines, and improvised solos move your feet across the checkered dancefloor.
Bar pastissers exudes French attitude with Edith Piaf on the sound system and servers bantering en français. Snag a stool along the mirrored bar backlit in sultry red. Sample namesake pastis diluted with cold water and rich anise flavor. Pair it with a cheese plate and settle in for the nightly jazz band that packs the tiny space.Their driving rhythms and impassioned vocals amplify pastis’ intoxicating effects.
Sip Through the Night: Exploring Barcelona's Top 23 Bars for Cocktails, Wine, and Vermouth - Barceloneta's Beachfront Beverages
After a day relaxing on Barceloneta’s sunny shores, follow locals to beachfront bars where caipirinhas and mojitos flow as fast as the crashing waves. Barceloneta retains the salty character of its fishing village roots, evident in its barebones taverns and terrazas that hum with laidback maritime energy well after the sun dips into the sea.
Make your first stop at Can Paixano for budget cava with the sand still between your toes. Also called La Xampanyeria, this Barceloneta institution serves its bubbly straight from the tap. Grab a spot at one of the communal wooden tables, soak up the boisterous ambiance, and sip cava out of traditional porró pitchers. The pour spouts directly into your mouth for a fun challenge. Accompany your cava with tapas like chorizo, montaditos, or melty cheese sandwiches.
Nearby Can Maño also embodies the neighborhood’s casual spirit. Order sardinas straight from the grill along with local Estrella Damm beer. Chat with the singing owners as they bustle about while regulars cheer for FC Barcelona on the TV. For a taste of the sea, their griddled octopus drizzled in olive oil and paprika hits the spot.
Further south near Bogatell Beach, join the hip local crowd for sunset drinks at Esperanza. This boutique bed and breakfast expands into a waterfront lounge at night. Sink into a cushioned rattan armchair to watch the sun dip behind the sailboat-dotted horizon. Esperanza’s mojitos feature tropical twists like passionfruit and get the party started with Havana vibes. Their extensive gin menu covers both Spanish botanicals and international styles. Pair your beachy cocktail with Mediterranean small plates like hummus, shrimp tapas, or octopus carpaccio.
At Santa Marta 17 along the marina harbor, admire sleek yachts over Old Fashioneds, the classic cocktail born in Barcelona. Relaxation prevails across their outdoor deck with panoramic sea views. Inside, cushy red sofas complement maritime maps dotting the walls. A standout on Santa Marta’s cocktail menu is the Barceloneta 75, a refreshing gin fusion with strawberry, basil, and pink pepper. Pair it with their crumbled tuna tartare tower stacked with avocado and mango.