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Esquerra de l’Eixample
For locations, see map, pp.128–129.
Belchica
c/Villaroel 60
T
625 814 001;
M
Urgell.
Barcelona’s first Belgian beer
bar guarantees a range of decent brews
that you can’t get anywhere else. It’s not a
theme bar – unless you count drinking in
what resembles a boiler room – just an
enjoyable locale playing electronica, new
jazz, lounge, reggae and other left-field
sounds. Tues–Sat 6pm–3am, Sun & Mon
7pm–1am.
Dry Martini
c/Aribau 166
T
932 175 072;
M
Diagonal/Provença.
White-jacketed
bar-tenders, dark wood and brass, a
self-satisfied air – it could only be the city’s
legendary uptown cocktail bar. To be fair,
though, no one mixes drinks better and
the regulars aren’t the one-dimensional
business types you might expect. Mon–
Thurs 1pm–2.30am, Fri & Sat 1pm–3am,
Sun 6.30pm–2.30am.
La Fira
c/Provença 171, no phone;
M
Provença.
One of the city’s most bizarre drinking
emporiums comes complete with
old-fashioned fairground rides and circus
paraphernalia. Sit at the bar fashioned from
a circus awning or cosy up in the dodgem
cars – but come at the weekend for any
kind of crowd or atmosphere. Tues–Thurs
& Sun 11pm–3am, Fri & Sat 11pm–5am.
Quilombo
c/d’Aribau 149
T
934 395 406;
M
Diagonal.
Unpretentious music bar – just
a bare box of a room really – that’s rolled
with the years since 1971, featuring live
guitarists, Latin American bands and a
clientele that joins in enthusiastically.
Mon–Thurs & Sun 9pm–3am, Fri & Sat
7.30pm–3.30am.
Sante Café
c/Comte d’Urgell 171
T
933 237
832;
M
Hospital Clinic.
A minimalist-style
place that’s more of a café during the day
but chills out at night, with guest DJs at the
weekend. Mon–Fri 9am–3am, Sat & Sun
5pm–3am; closed Aug.
Gràcia
For locations, see map, p.134.
La Baignoire
c/Verdi 6, no phone;
M
Fontana.
Cosy wine bar offering a small corner of
sophistication – Ella Fitzgerald on the CD, a
dozen good wines by the glass and cheesy
nibbles. Mon–Thurs 7pm–1.30am, Fri & Sat
7pm–2.30am, Sun 6pm–1.30am.
Café del Sol
Pl. del Sol 16
T
934 155
663;
M
Fontana.
The grandaddy of the
Plaça del Sol scene sees action day and
night. On summer evenings, when the
square is packed, there’s not an outdoor
table to be had, but even in winter this is a
popular drinking den – the pubby interior
has a back room and gallery, often rammed
to the rafters. Daily 1pm–2.30am.
Café Salambo
c/Torrijos 51
T
932 186 966,
W
www.cafesalambo.com;
M
Joanic/Fontana.
Where the pre- and post-cinema crowd
meets (both Verdi cinemas are on the
doorstep). It’s a longstanding neighbour-
hood hangout, with something of a colonial
feel, and there are lots of wines and
cava
by the glass and good food too. Tues–
Thurs 4pm–1am, Fri & Sat noon–3am, Sun
noon–9pm.
Canigó
Pl. de la Revolucio 10, no phone;
M
Fontana.
Family-run neighbour-
hood bar now entering its third generation.
It’s not much to look at, but the drinks are
as cheap as chips and it’s a Gràcia institu-
tion, packed out at weekends with a
young, hip and largely local crowd,
Dry Martini
BARS AND CLUBS
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Bars