Discover places

Sub Rosa

Among the flurry of one of La Rambla’s many Gòtic tributaries, Sub Rosa would be everyone’s regular watering hole, if only there was enough space. Like all the best treasures, it’s unassuming enough to miss. But once you’ve stooped inside, you’re only a matter of seconds away from having a strong cocktail in one hand and change from a fiver in the other (it’s slightly more post-happy hour, but still a steal). Whether or not you manage to be the proud claimer of a seat, take a moment to admire the abundant décor: an array of framed photos, novelty trinkets and vintage tat. There’s even loo entertainment in the form of kinky wallpaper – and ladies’ users look out for the peephole! Cocktail enthusiast, lager lad or teetotaler, you will find something you love amid the sultry vibe. Treat yourself to the passion fruit daiquiri and thank me later

C/d'en Rauric, 23

Dr. Stravinsky

Stepping into Barcelona cocktail bar Dr. Stravinsky is like entering the refuge of a mad old alchemist – backlit bottles on shelves, effervescent test tubes and strange concoctions fermenting in jars. In terms of pure visuals alone, it’s a hypnotic experience. Then you try a cocktail. Dr Stravinsky’s cocktails are out of this world. Their menu, the “cosmos of flavor,” is ingeniously designed to simplify your choice. I picked the Mexcate, a blend of cured cheese syrup with lime, mezcal, avocado, Jamaican pepper shrub and tequila. It was sublime. The preparation is a sensation in itself. With the rhythm, precision and flamboyance of a flamenco dancer, the bartenders shake, rattle and roll before delicately adding the finishing touches.They’re masters of their art, knowledgeable and passionate about the entire process, adding an extra element to the experience. So prepare your senses, the doctor will see you now

C/ Mirallers, 5

Big Bang Bar

What came before the Big Bang? God only knows. What’s for sure is that it’s long been a mecca for local musicians and traveling tunesmiths looking to share music on an intimate stage. Hidden away down a backstreet in Raval, the Big Bang Bar is an atmospheric gem of a venue. With four open mic/jam nights dedicated to select genres – from jazz and swing to rock, folk and soul – as well as concerts from some of the city’s talented performers, there’s no wonder the place is regularly packed out. A cozy stage and a crystal clear sound system create the ambience, while the long narrow bar and giant screen projection of the stage add depth to the room and audience. And what an audience. Quick to show warmth to nervous newbies and raise the roof for special talent, Big Bang Bar’s crowd make this a truly unique place.

C/ Botella 7

14 de la Rosa

Red sofas, dim lighting, marble table tops and a martini to die for – 14 de la Rosa transports us back in time to a 1920s France. This hidden cocktail bar in Gràcia offers coffee in the morning, vermouth in the afternoon and a killer cocktail by night. Opened at the end of 2018 by Dean and Amandine, the bar oozes quality and simplicity, and gives off a timeless speakeasy feel that complements the creative neighborhood it belongs to. Choose from a range of classic cocktails, the Bloody Mary being their specialty, as well as signature cocktails such as a Tanqueray-based gimlet with a touch of smoked juniper and cava, or the Smoke & Sand, mixed with tequila, mezcal, orange and fermented tomato.Or simply choose from a selection of beers and natural wines. If you’re feeling peckish, try one of the side dishes, such as the mozzarella with black truffle, or eggs with anchovy mayonnaise, the perfect accompaniments to a candle-lit evening.

C/ Martínez de la Rosa, 14

Paradiso

You can have an excellent sandwich at Pastrami Bar where the fixings are produced by the capable hands at Rooftop Smokehouse. What’s more, the antique refrigerator door is the entrance to Paradiso, a speakeasy cocktail bar with a beautiful undulating, wood-ribbed ceiling and bar that give the sensation of being swallowed by a large marine animal. The show doesn’t stop there.Paradiso serves up unusual and creative cocktails. Cocktails that smoke, cocktails that fly and the emblematic Mediterranean Treasure, which won head mixologist Giacomo Giannotti a World Class award in 2014. It’s made with vodka, sherry infused with oyster leaf, elderflower liqueur, agave syrup, coriander and egg white, and served in an oyster hidden in a treasure chest.Paradiso is part of Grup Confiteria, started by a couple of friends with a penchant for nostalgic locals. Surprise is an essential ingredient, in the locale, in the concept and most importantly: in what you’re sipping on.

C/ Rera Palau, 4

Cabaret

Looking for a truly unique night filled with glamour, entertainment and surprise? Perhaps you want to plan an unforgettable experience for your friends or loved ones? Then venture to the The Barcelona Edition five-star hotel, discover a hidden door descending into a clandestine world and enjoy a modern, luxury nightlife experience. The hotel’s downstairs Cabaret is Barcelona’s answer to a supper club, where all the senses are teased. The space mixes Studio 54 cofounder Ian Schrager’s creative approach with the subversive side of New York and Paris. Prepare to be enticed and captivated by the thrilling live music and performances, a sophisticated but unpretentious à la carte menu and bespoke cocktails. Expect to be enchanted throughout the night by the interactive stage direction and impressive talent from the cast of artists.

Av. Francesc Cambó, 14

The Barcelona Edition

Designed by the world’s hottest hotelier Ian Schrager (of Studio 54 fame) and Barcelona tastemaker Lázaro Rosa-Violán,it’s no surprise that The Barcelona Edition hotel has become an instant hit with travelers and locals alike. Besides the refined yet understated rooms, this trendsetting urban resort conceals a slew of sleek spaces that Barcelonins will be proud to call their own.On the ground floor, Bar Veraz is a handsome but informal, all-day restaurant serving creative Mediterranean dishes, local wines and craft beers. The leafy rooftop bar offers spectacular views and is one of the city’s most coveted spots for sunset sips. Hidden at basement level, the clandestine Cabaret restaurant offers a multi-sensory experience with its creative tasting menu, sultry cocktail bar and titillating dance performances. For a dose of after-dark conviviality, the Punch Room is an intimate, oak-paneled speakeasy specializing in punch, cocktails and liberal self-indulgence.

Av. Francesc Cambó, 14

Two Schmucks

Winter is coming, and there’s no better way to keep yourself warm than with a delicious cocktail in a cosy, friendly joint. Moe Aljaff and AJ White are the “schmucks” of the Two Schmucks bar – although we’d argue they are anything but!This “five-star dive bar” is the result of Moe and AJ’s dedication and love for cocktail shaking, earning them a place in the Top 4 Best New International Cocktail Bars at the Spirited Awards in 2018. These schmucks worked the first six months of the bar’s opening themselves, on 12-hour shifts a day for six days a week, and not taking a penny of the profits. And by Jove, did it pay off.Catering to the locals while providing exceptional service, this isn’t your average cocktail bar – it’s a vibrant, cheerful reflection of the cool, ramshackle and alternative vibe that seeps through the pores of Raval. They offer coffee, tea, soft drinks, apéritifs and cakes during the day, and cocktails, beer, food and a fair share of banter at night.

C/ Joaquín Costa, 52

Old Fashioned

Emulating ‘20s and ‘30s US Prohibition-era speakeasies, this tiny cocktail bar was inspired by the American tradition of Kentucky bourbon and rye whiskey.Old Fashioned was opened on 12-12-12 by founders Luca and Bruno, who formerly ran the bar at a luxury, 5-star Barcelona hotel. The pair soon filled the space with over 100 kinds of rye and bourbon, including the prized Pappy Van Winkle bourbon.Whether you’re thirsty for a Bloody Mary, a passionfruit mojito, a pisco sour or one of their Old Fashioned cocktails, presentation is key here. One Old Fashioned, Your Ball’s in My Hand, comes in a black ball glass, cradled in a golden hand. Grab your drink and find your way upstairs to the Kentucky room, showcasing the owners’ visit to the Four Roses distillery.Casually elegant, don’t you dare enter wearing baseball caps or flip flops. But do request the Rolling Stones… they’ll play it if you’re willing to stick your tongue out like Mick Jagger.

C/ Santa Teresa, 1

Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway once said to “never sit a table when you can stand at the bar,” which makes me think he’d be rather impressed with this cozy little cocktail joint. It’s a shrine not only to the writer’s work, but also to the way he lived.“I wanted to create a place where Hemingway himself would be happy to drink – where he could sit and relax at the bar and talk to the bartender,” explains Luca, the owner. It’s a gorgeous space. Green leather stools line a solid copper bar, complemented by dark wood paneling etched with the names of the master’s iconic novels.Naturally, you can sip all of Hemingway’s favorite tipples, from the simple scotch & soda to gimlets and martinis. Start with a punchy Papa Double Daiquiri, just like Papa liked his, before moving on to the ultra-creative house concoctions. This is the place “to have and have another.”

C/ Muntaner, 114

Gimlet

If you’re into Prohibition-era style speakeasies, you need to tip a few back at Gimlet. Founded in 1979 by local mixology mastermind Javier de las Muelas, Gimlet was the first of what is now a global empire of timeless cocktail bars, with the iconic Dry Martini at the fore.Step inside Gimlet and you’ll discover a smooth jazz soundtrack, sultry black-on-ruby color palette and arching mahogany bar. But though this refined space is hailed as a benchmark of style and sophistication, the vibe is refreshingly relaxed and informal. Situated in the heart of Galvany, a quiet nook of Sant Gervasi, it’s a popular meeting point for local groups of friends and those looking to let off some steam after a long day at the office.Ask head bartender Alex Rigol he’s the one with the perma-smile) to shake up your favorite tipple, or order the house special Gimlet, a sweet but beautifully balanced fusion of premium quality gin and lime juice. They don’t make ‘em like they used to.

C/Santaló 46

La Llibreria

Just off Plaça de la Concòrdia, Les Corts’ most well-loved plaza, a steady, welcoming light shines out through the shadows. La Llibreria, a self-dubbed “cocktail bar and book collection,” is the latest gem to appear in this neighborhood, and surely one of its quietest.It’s an old-fashioned cocktail bar with a modern London look, albeit a little less flare but no less charm. They serve up a standard list of classic bar drinks, including White Russians, Bloody Marys and Gimlets. But the real treats are off-menu: the bartenders are happy to make you whatever tipple you fancy, plying you with gentle questions before whipping up the perfect antidote to a long day.With prices ranging from €7 to €9 a cocktail, it’s a refreshingly reasonable investment in making this new venture a fixture on the scene.

C/ Dr. Ibáñez, 24