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Down the pub
Barcelona has embraced the “English” pub and “Irish” bar with a vengeance, and every
barri
has a place where the stag and hen groups can feel right at home. On the whole,
there’s little to choose between them, though they come into their own when only a pint
of Guinness, a singalong-a-pub band or the match on the big screen will do. By
common consent, the
Black Horse
(c/d’Allada Vermell 16, Sant Pere
T
932 683 338;
M
Jaume I, map p.74) is best, with an off-the-beaten-track neighbourhood feel, despite
being just a few minutes from the Picasso museum, while the same can be said of the
Michael Collins
(Pl. Sagrada Família 4, Dreta de l’Eixample
T
934 591 964;
M
Sagrada
Família, map pp.122–123), across from Gaudí’s church. The old town pubs see a more
transient tourist crowd – at least at
Molly’s Fair City
(c/de Ferran 7–9, Barri Gòtic
T
933
424 026;
M
Liceu, map pp.54–55) there’s the original
modernista
decor to admire.
Uptown expats and hotel guests favour
Kitty O’Shea’s
(c/Nau Santa Maria 5–7, Les
Corts
T
932 803 675;
M
Maria Cristina, map pp.140–141), while for nightly knees-ups
and big-screen sports make for the Port Olímpic’s
Kennedy Irish Sailing Club
(Moll de
Mestral, Port Olímpic
T
932 210 039;
M
Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica, map p.93).
Bar del Pi
Pl. Sant Josep Oriol 1
T
933 022
123;
M
Liceu.
Best known for its terrace
tables in one of Barcelona’s prettiest
squares, which means it can be quite
touristy, and service can be slow – not that
anyone’s in a hurry in this prime people-
watching spot. But it’s got a loyal local
following too, with a one-up one-down
gallery inside that gets nice and cosy in
winter. Mon–Sat 9am–11pm, Sun 10am–
10pm; closed two weeks in Jan & Aug.
La Cerveteca
c/Gignàs 25
T
933 150 407,
W
www.lacerveteca.com;M
Jaume I/
Barceloneta.
Is it a bar, or is it the funkiest
off-licence in town? What’s for certain is that
La Cerveteca
offers the city’s biggest and
best beer selection from around the world,
all correctly racked and shelved, and
available to drink in or take out. Brews are
taken seriously here but it’s not a beard-
and-sandals beer fest, more a modern art,
Muddy Waters, Latino beat kind of place
where beer-lovers gather round big stand-
up barrels and swap stories. Mon & Tues
4–9pm, Wed & Thurs noon–9pm, Fri & Sat
noon–10pm.
Glaciar
Pl. Reial 3
T
933 021 163;
M
Liceu.
At
this traditional Barcelona meeting point the
terrace seating in the square is packed
most sunny evenings and at weekends.
Mon–Thurs 4pm–2am, Fri & Sat 4pm–3am,
Sun 9am–2am.
Milk
c/Gignàs 21
T
932 680 922,
W
www
.milkbarcelona.com;M
Jaume I.
Irish-
owned bar and bistro that’s quickly carved a
niche as a welcoming neighbourhood
hangout – nothing flashy, but decent food
and cocktails backed by a funky sound-
track. Book at the weekends if you want to
eat, and come early for the popular Sunday
brunch. Mon–Sat 6.30pm–3am, Sun
11am–3am.
Oviso
c/Arai 5, Pl. George Orwell, no phone;
M
Drassanes.
Holding a mirror on to the
neighbourhood, the
Oviso
fits right in with
the scruffy urban square outside – a
shabby-chic mural-clad café-bar, popular
with a hip young crowd. There’s a sunny
terrassa
, and the salad and sandwiches
are good too, available from breakfast
onwards. Daily 10am–2.30am, Fri & Sat
10am until 3am.
Pipa Club
Pl. Reial 3
T
933 024 732,
W
www
.bpipaclub.com;
M
Liceu.
A bit like a Victorian
English pub, with its wood-panelled rooms,
pool table and battery of regulars. Histori-
cally a pipe-smoker’s private club, it’s a
jazzy, late-night kind of place – ring the bell
for admission and make your way up the
stairs. Daily 11pm–3am.
Schilling
c/de Ferran 23
T
933 176 787,
W
www.cafeschilling.com;
M
Liceu.
In the
European “grand-café” style, with high
ceilings, big windows and an upmarket feel.
It has a loyal gay following, but it’s a mixed,
chilled place to meet up, grab a bite and a
copa
and move on. Mon–Sat 10am–3am,
Sun noon–3am.
Travel Bar
c/Boqueria 27
T
933 425 252,
W
www.travelbar.com;
M
Liceu.
Backpacking
Catalans have brought their experiences
home to provide a bar where travellers
can hang out and meet like-minded souls,
sign up for walking, biking or drinking
BARS AND CLUBS
|
Bars