With a bar on almost every corner, Barcelona has one of the best bar scenes on the Mediterranean, making this the perfect place for a drink.
But with so many to choose from, it’s almost impossible to know where to start – so here are five of the most amazing bars in the Catalan capital that I love and will definitely whet your appetite.
Best Quirky Bar: El Bosc de les Fades
An indoor woodland and toadstool seating – it doesn’t come much quirkier than the fairytale themed Bosc de les Fades next to the Museu de Cera (wax museum). Here, you’ll sip cocktails in semi-darkness, surrounded by water features, trees, and fairies on one of Barcelona’s most magical nights out.
Perfect for: Reliving childhood fairy tales after a day of sight-seeing!
Best for Rooftop Views: The Eclipse bar at W Barcelona
The floor to ceiling windows in the wraparound lounge on the 26th floor of Ricardo Bofill’s iconic sail-shaped skyscraper reveal incredible views from the Collserola hills to the dazzling Mediterranean Sea, while the super stylish interior décor and funky lighting make this a jaw-dropping setting for a drink. This is one of my favourite bars in Europe!
Perfect for: A glass of a fine drink while rubbing shoulders with the city’s elite.
Best for Nostalgia: Bar Marsella
Described to me by a Barcelona resident as “perhaps the dirtiest little bar in the dirtiest little part of the city”, Marsella is a slice of history – albeit a somewhat cobweb-ridden one! The oldest absinthe bar in the city, Marsella was established back in 1820 and quite possibly has never seen a duster since, but this lively haunt of the green fairy and favourite Barcelona watering hole of the illustrious Hemmingway remains obstinately popular and shouldn’t be missed.
Perfect for: Being able to say you sat at the same bar as one of America’s literary greats!
Best for Cocktails: Ginger
Sexy, sleek, and super cool, Ginger in the Gothic Quarter is a favourite with Barcelona locals – most of who come for its incredible cocktail menu and disarmingly trendy vibe. A seriously retro and mellow seventies vibe link nicely with a music scene which includes vinyl record nights, while the chic separate wine bar and fabulous tapas menu make this funky bar the ultimate place for the coolest of nights out.
Perfect for: Being transported back to the seventies while getting lost in the mesmerising décor!
Best Secret Bar: El Armario
Last, but by no means least, is the speakeasy-style El Amario, a tiny bar with a fun vibe and one of Barcelona’s best-kept secrets. If you fancy a drink at this aptly-named secret bar in El Raval, you’ll need to find it first, which is no mean feat: the entrance to El Amario is through a hole in the owner’s wardrobe – and that’s only if the owner feels like opening that night! This is definitely one of the most unusual places to visit in Barcelona.
Perfect for: Trying something few other tourists will ever have experienced!
Like this article? View more of my Barcelona travel tips.
There are hundreds more amazing bars in the Catalan capital, and if you think I’ve missed anywhere special off my list let me know. I also wrote a specific guide to the best Irish bars in Barcelona which you might want to check out.
