Top 10 Bars in Barcelona

If you´re on a city break to Barcelona, knowing where to head for a nice glass of wine or a cocktail, that isn´t on the Ramblas, is essential. Although the Ramblas is an exciting and beautiful main street to wander along, it´s sometimes difficult to know where to find those special places that  make a weekend break so perfect. I want to recommend some great bars that offer everything from sunny terraces with spectacular views to bars with music for when you just want to carry on.

Enjoying views of the Sagrada Familia
from the Alaire bar

1) My first recommendation may not be the cheapest but definitely one of the best places for the first drink of the night in Barcelona. I can honestly say that on a warm sunny evening, sitting on this terrace with this view and a crisp glass of Verdejo is probably one of the best starts to your weekend in this beautiful city! The Alaire Bar is at the top of the Hotel Condes de Barcelona in the upmarket district of Passeig de Gràcia. Anyone who isn´t a guest can go up to the terrace from about 6pm and enjoy a drink and tapas with stunning views of the Sagrada Familia and the Pedrera building.

Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 73-75
Nearest tube: Passeig de Gracia

2) Number 2 in the Top 10 Bars has to be Bar Ninfas in the young, boho area of Gracia. A totally different option to Number 1, but the perfect place to go when those first few drinks make you want to carry on. This small but lively bar offers indie, pop and rock at the hands of a brilliant local dj, as well as cheap mixer drinks and friendly bar staff.  Drink and dance from Thursdays to Saturday, 11pm till 3am.

Address: Carrer de la Riera de Sant Miquel, 59
Nearest Tube: Diagonal

IMPORTANT: This bar has sadly closed now so in its place I´d like to recommend Ocaña vintage style bar in Plaça Real in the centre of town...

Ocaña bar

3) The best and most beautiful area for drinking in Barcelona is El Born district (La Ribera).  A 10-minute walk from the Ramblas, El Born forms part of the barrio gotico of Barcelona and has loads of great bars and restaurants as well as offering the best mojitos in town accompanied by salsa music and a real street buzz.  With its old balconied buildings, gothic cathedral and cobbled back streets, a visit to the bars of El Born is a must. These next two bars are found in this area: La Vinya del Senyor is a cute little wine bar & terrace which provides the perfect spot for people watching opposite the steps of the impressive Santa Maria del Mar cathedral. The wine is quite pricey, but the location is worth it, and you can also order olives or delicious cheeses to sit and pass the time.

Address: Plaça Santa Maria, 5
Nearest tube: Jaume 1

4) Again in the gorgeous Born area, you should head to Bar Mamaine for a serious mojito. They really are amazing and totally get you in the mood for a night out, Catalan style. The bar is small and usually squashed inside but you´ll always meet a friendly fellow drinker.  Outside there´s a small terrace and here you can sit and enjoy your mojito with a group of friends and the buzzing atmosphere of the Passeig del Born.  Think hot sunny nights, the smell of mint and rum, salsa sounds and fun!

Address: Carrer del Rec, 59
Nearest tube: Jaume 1

Cocktails at Bocachica

5) Bocachica is an upmarket bar in a relatively unknown area to the tourists of Barcelona. Just between the busy shopping streets of Passeig de Gracia and Rambla de Catalunya, you´ll find the narrow, hidden away gem that is Pasatje de la Concepció. Filled with restaurants and bars and buzzing with life on the weekend nights, Bocachica is a chic stop for a pre-dinner drink.  They have an old-school art-deco cocktail & wine bar and a terrace for smokers on the top floor.  Sit up at the bar and sip a cosmopolitan or classic mojito in the bar before heading downstairs to Bocagrande for dinner or over the road to the spectacular El Japonés for sushi!

Address: Pasatje de la Concepció, 12
Nearest tube: Diagonal

6) In the Eixemple area of Barcelona, you´ll find Barcelona´s ode to one of New York´s famous districts.  The MeatPacking Liquor Bar is a relatively new, cool little bar to hang out with friends and have a drink or try one of their cocktails of the month. Next door you´ll find the Meatpacking Bistro which does a good selection of American-style dinners such as burgers, Dandy´s Nachos and New York cheesecakes. 

Address: Travessera de Gràcia, 50-52
Nearest tube: Diagonal or Gracia FCG

7) Terrazza 360, in the sometimes shady area of Barcelona, offers incredible views of the city as it says, 360 degrees. This circular roof-top bar is part of the Hotel Barceló and anyone can go up for a drink after 5 or 6pm in the evening. Enjoy sunset views of Barcelona whilst sipping on a glass of chilled white wine... (and maybe some crisps).  Just be careful around this area, it´s generally ok and fine to head up to the bar but the small streets south of the Rambla de Raval are to be avoided.

Address: Rambla del Raval, 17-21
Nearest tube: Liceu

8) Sticking with the hotel terrace theme, I absolutely have to recommend one of the more expensive, and slightly out of the way, bars in Barcelona...but believe me, you will not be disappointed by the views from this sea-front bar. The simply named Wet Bar (referring to the pool, not the people..well, mostly) is a great option for a special night in Barcelona. Somewhat pretentious, but I don´t really care, because the "holiday-feeling", music and location turns a drink into a memorable evening in this gorgeous city.  You can also have a snack or tapas when the second drink turns into the fifth! The Wet Bar is part of the W Hotel.

Address:Plaça de la Rosa del Vents, 1
Nearest tube: Barceloneta

9) For a slightly retro, but cute bar in the centre of town, head to Ginger.
Hidden away down the backstreets of the barrio gotico, the old part of town, Ginger provides the setting for an intimate yet classy pre-dinner drink.  For something different, try the Ginger Pimms...

Address: Carrer Lledó, 2
Nearest tube: Jaume 1

Wine and tapas 

10) My final recommendation is a cute bar in the backstreets of the old town just off Plaça del Pi. If you fancy a drink after wandering around town and maybe a selection of really cheap tasty tapas, you can´t go wrong.  I suppose it could be described as half delicatessen, half-bar and is a great little find.

Address: Carrer del Pi
Nearest tube: Liceu






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