The Rough Guide to Barcelona 8 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

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GAY AND LESBIAN BARCELONA
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Useful contacts
Ca la Dona c/de Casp 38, Dreta de l’Eixample
T 934 127 161, W ;
M Urquinaona. A women’s centre with library
and bar, used for meetings by various
feminist and lesbian organizations; informa-
tion available to callers.
Casal Lambda c/Verdaguer i Callis 10, Sant Pere
T 933 195 550, W ;
M Urquinaona. A gay and lesbian centre with
a wide range of social, cultural and educa-
tional events. The website is also in English.
Coordinadora Gai-Lesbiana de Catalunya (CGL)
c/Violant d’Hongria 156, Sants T932 980 029,
W ; M Plaça del Centre. The
CGL issues the Targeta LGTB (Gay Card),
which, for €10 per month gives discounts,
free admission and other advantages at a
wide variety of businesses and venues
across the city.
Front d’Alliberament Gai de Catalunya (FAGC)
c/Verdi 88, Gràcia T932 172 669, Wwww.fagc
.org; M Fontana. Association for gay men,
with a library, meetings and events.
Bookshops
Antinous c/Josep Anselm Clavé 6, Barri Gòtic
T 933 019 070, W
M Drassanes. Gay bookshop with useful
contacts and information board – there’s a
café at the back. Closed Sun.
Cómplices c/Cervantes 2, Barri Gòtic T934 127
283, W M Liceu.
Exclusively gay and lesbian bookshop; also
magazines and DVDs. Closed Sun.
Accommodation
Outlet4Spain T938 102 711, Wwww.outlet4spain
.com. Gay-run accommodation agency,
which specializes in gay-friendly hotels, villas,
apartments and flat-shares in Barcelona and
Sitges; the website’s in English.
Hotel Axel c/d’Aribau 33, Esquerra de l’Eixample
T 933 239 393, W
M Universitat. A snazzy “heterofriendly”
boutique hotel set in the Gaixample, with
stylishly appointed rooms in which designer
fabrics, complimentary beauty products,
flat-screen TVs and Internet access come
as standard. Relaxation is taken care of in
the restaurant and bar, library corner, chill-
out area, terrace pool and sauna, and
there’s a fitness centre and massage treat-
ments available. From €170.
Hotel California c/Rauric 14, Barri Gòtic T 933
177 766, W M Liceu.
Tucked down a side street that crosses c/de
Ferran, this friendly old-town hotel has nicely
colour-coordinated rooms with TV, a/c and full
bathrooms, breakfast included in the price.
There are some internal rooms, and all are
double-glazed, but even so, you never quite
escape the weekend noise in this part of
town. From €90.
Hostal Que Tal c/Mallorca 290, Dreta de
l’Eixample T934 592 366, Wwww.quetal
; MPasseig de Gràcia/Verdaguer.
Pretty rooms, with and without private bath,
in a good uptown location. It’s a nice, if
modest, choice, with an attractive courtyard
patio. No credit cards. From €65, en suite
from €85.
Cafés and bars
Aire c/Valencia 236, Esquerra de l’Eixample T 934
515 812, W ; M Passeig de
Gràcia. The hottest, most stylish lesbian bar in
town is a surprisingly relaxed place for a drink
and a dance to pop, house and retro sounds.
Gay men welcome too. Thurs–Sat 11pm–
3am, July & Aug also Tues & Wed.
Átame c/Consell de Cent 257, Esquerra de
l’Eixample T934 549 273; M Universitat.
Contemporary music bar with a change of
pace, from early evening drinks and gentility
to late-night hot sounds. Daily 6pm–2am.
Dietrich c/Consell de Cent 255, Esquerra de
l’Eixample T934 517 707; M Universitat.
Cornerstone of the Gaixample scene is
this well-known music bar and “teatro-
café” – tranquilo during the week, but ever
more hedonistic as the weekend wears on,
with drag shows, acrobats and dancers
punctuating the DJ sets. Daily
6pm–2.30am.
People Lounge c/Villarroel 71, Esquerra de
l’Eixample T 935 327 743, W www.peoplebcn
.com; M Urgell. Stylish cafe-bar where you
shouldn’t feel out of place if you’re over
forty. Daily 8pm–2am.
Punto BCN c/Muntaner 63–65, Esquerra de
l’Eixample T934 536 123, Wwww.arenadisco
.com; MUniversitat. A Gaixample classic that
attracts an uptown crowd for drinks, chat and
music – it’s a popular trysting place. Wed
happy hour is a blast, while Fri night is party
night. Daily 6pm–2.30am.
Zeltas c/Casanova 75, Esquerra de l’Eixample
T 934 541 902, W ; M Urgell.