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Clubs
The main city-centre
neighbourhoods
for clubbing are the Barri Gòtic,
Raval, Eixample and Gràcia, though it’s actually the peripheral areas where
you’ll find the bulk of the big-name warehouse and designer venues. Poble
Nou, Poble Sec, Sants and Les Corts might not attract you during the day, but
they’ll be high on the list of any seasoned clubber, as will the otherwise tourist
fantasy village of Poble Espanyol in Montjuïc. Meanwhile the Port Olímpic has
a number of high-profile clubs alongside the myriad music bars.
Admission prices
are difficult to predict: some places are free or free before
a certain time, others charge a few token euros’ entry, a few only charge if there’s
live music, while in several entry depends on what you look like rather than how
much is in your pocket.Those that do charge tend to fall into the €10–20 range,
though this usually includes your first drink. If there is free entry, don’t be
surprised to find that there’s a minimum drinks’ charge of anything up to €10.
Note that the distinction between a music-bar and a club is between a
closing time
of 2 or 3am and at least 5am. Many of those listed below stay
open until 6 or 7am at weekends – fair enough, as they’ve usually barely got
started by 3am.
meeting to chew the fat. Tues–Sun
11am–midnight.
Puku Café
c/Guilleries 10
T
933 682 573;
M
Fontana.
Come early and it’s a relaxed
place for a bite to eat and a drink, with
wines by the glass and things like salads,
platters and home-made ice cream. At
weekends it morphs into an equally chilled
electro-lounge as “indietronica” DJs take the
helm. Mon–Thurs & Sun–Wed 7pm–1am, Fri
& Sat 7pm–3am.
Vinilo
c/Matilde 2
T
626 464 759;
M
Diagonal/Fontana.
It’s cunningly
simple to concoct a hit Gràcia bar – don’t
shave, wear a beret, smoke like crazy, show
Bladerunner
on the projection screen with
the sound down, play Jeff Buckley,
Radiohead and Morcheeba. To be fair,
Vinilo
is a very cosy dive bar, with the lighting set
at a perpetual dusk – time easily slips away
in here. Daily 7pm–2am, Fri & Sat until 3am.
Virreina
Pl. de la Virreina 1
T
932 379 880;
M
Fontana.
Take time out in one of Gràcia’s
loveliest squares at this popular local bar,
with seats inside and out. Mon–Thurs & Sun
10am–1am, Fri & Sat 10am–2am.
Les Corts & Sant Gervasi
For location, see map, pp.140–141.
Elephant
Pg. dels Til.lers 1
T
933 340 258,
W
www.elephantbcn.com;
M
Palau Reial.
A gorgeous designer bar for gorgeous
designer people. There’s dancing, but
mostly there’s preening in a series of
ornamental, Oriental-style gardens.
Thurs–Sat 11pm–4am.
Gimlet
c/Santaló 46
T
932 015 306; FGC
Muntaner.
This favoured cocktail joint is
especially popular in summertime, when the
street-side tables offer a great vantage-point
for watching the party unfold. Daily
7.30pm–3am.
Universal
c/Marià Cubì 182
T
932 013 596,
W
www.grupocostaeste.com; FGC Muntaner.
A
classic designer bar that’s been at the
cutting edge of Barcelona style since 1985
– and there are still queues. Be warned:
they operate a strict door policy here and if
your face doesn’t fit you won’t get in.
Mon–Thurs 11pm–3.30am, Fri & Sat
11pm–5am.
Tibidabo
For location, see map, p.133.
Mirablau
Pl. del Dr Andrea, Avgda. Tibidabo
T
934 185 879; FGC Avgda. del Tibidabo &
Tramvia Blau or taxi.
Unbelievable city views
from a chic bar by the tram and funicular
terminus. By day a great place for coffee
and views, at night a rich-kid disco-tunes
stomping ground. Daily 11am–5am.
BARS AND CLUBS
|
Clubs