Balmy beaches, cool bars, ridiculously hot locals and nightlife to die for; Barcelona has it all. Here’s our guide to a lost weekend in the Catalan capital.
By Padraic O’Connor
Barcelona has always been one of Europe’s coolest cities; the ever-present sunshine from March to October alone makes it a popular holiday spot with us sun-starved Irish.
The locals and even the guiris (the locals name for foreigners) there exude a certain cool that most other cities dream of and the cosmopolitan mix of races and cultures make the city a truly breathtaking place to be.
As well as the ubiquitous Barcelona football Club (seemingly every football fan’s favourite club nowadays), architecture, shopping, beaches and cultural events there’s a thriving club scene with the city playing home to clubs that run from dark sweaty to bright and gaudy but they all have one thing in common… They love to party!
Festival such as SONAR (http://2011.sonar.es/en/) and Primavera (http://www.primaverasound.com/) attract thousands of music loving tourists to Barcelona every year and if you’ve never been then either of these weekends are great times to sample the city’s delights for the first time. But going on either of these weekends would be something akin to heading to Cork for the Jazz weekend boyyy (sorry, couldn’t resist); great fun but ridiculously packed everywhere, so why not make the trip at another time.
Oh and one last thing. The people, males and females, are ridiculously good-looking and almost effortlessly cool. Never have we encountered a better city to relax outside a bar or café or at the beach and just people watch. You’ve been warned!
Anyway, on with our guide to a good time in Barcelona.
BARS
Barcelona is awash with cool bars, from dingy kitsch chic to lounge and cocktails cool. Cafe Royale (on Nou de Zurbano just off Placa Reial) is a late bar that serves up drinks to a cool local crowd. During the week the sounds are soul, funk and bossa inspired while the small dancefloor bounces to more electronic sounds on the weekend.
The quirky kitschy Benidorm (39 Carrer de Joaquín Costa) is small, dark and smokey just off the Raval but has that certain something that entrances you into staying for a few drinks.
La Fianna and La Luna (http://www.lalunabcn.com/) are sister bars with an Irish connection situated in the Born area and both have cool décor, laid-back atmosphere and funky fusion food served by the friendly and cosmopolitan staff. Both bars have tapas/bar menus or the full restaurant experience and some seriously good cocktails to kick-start the night.
Bar 32 on Carrer Ample (off the bottom of the Ramblas) has a cool mix of ex-pats and locals, its simple homemade food and friendly atmosphere making it a popular spot.
Tough to find as it’s down a side street on your way to the Port area, Xampaneria Can Paixano (http://www.canpaixano.com/) is a bit of a mouthful but its bustling atmosphere and simple menu of Cava and tasty tapas, burgers and sandwiches make it a real treat. It’s tiny, there’s standing room only and you won’t get served the sparkling fizzy goodness without ordering a bocadillo but it’s well worth the bother. Cheap, cheerful and fun!
Dos Trece (http://dostrece.net/) is situated near the Raval disctrict just a few minutes off the Ramblas. A restaurant, lounge and late bar all in one, this is a cool place for some funky food or a killer cocktail… or both!
Speaking of the all important cocktails (they’re pretty much omnipresent in the bars and lounges of Barcelona), if you’re looking to lounge and listen to sexy tunes then Incognito (http://www.incognitobarbcn.com/) in the trendy Born area is worth seeking out.
CLUBS
CDLC (http://www.cdlcbarcelona.com/)
Carpe Diem Lounge Club is the place you’ll want to go to mingle with the many beautiful people in Barcelona. Owned by Patrick Kluivert and situated on the beach this opulent venue certainly looks cool but don’t expect much of an atmosphere. It’s more for checking out models and the odd footballer than getting into the music. Beautiful but soulless.
Razzmatazz (http://www.salarazzmatazz.com/)
This is the place for the alternative, cool crowd in Barca with 5 rooms of music in an industrial setting in Poble Nou (5 minutes taxi from city centre). Each room has its own particular sound ranging from techno to pop to indie rock to electro disco. Your entrance fee lets you roam freely between the rooms where you’re as likely to see anything from Laurent Garnier to the Arctic Monkeys.
BeCool (http://www.salabecool.com/)
Situated just off Avenguda Diagonal just north of the city centre this small cosy venue runs on 2 floors but it’s the basement, with its low ceilings and dark underground vibe, that makes it a popular spot with the local hedonistic night time brigade.
Sala Apolo (http://www.sala-apolo.com/)
Situated near the Raval on Nou de la Rambla this longstanding institution in Barcelona clubbing may not be as trendy as some others on the list but its old style theatre architecture and friendly vibe makes it a great place to catch a concert or a club. Music runs from indie to soul to techno with acts such as DJ Hell dropping in for a set.
Moog (http://www.masimas.com/moog)
A proper dark and sweaty club dedicated entirely to electronic music, one purely for lovers of underground house, techno and electro. It’s not that there are no beautiful people here it’s just that they’re all here for the music.
La Terrrazza (http://www.laterrrazza.com/)
An open air club high up in Montjuic looking over the city that only opens from May to September, La Terrrazza, though resplendent with the city’s beautiful people, isn’t as up its own arse as the aforementioned CDLC. Nice, ridiculously good-looking staff and clientele with a predominantly funky house soundtrack.
City Hall
Just off the top of the Ramblas, City Hall’s soundtrack of deep, techy and electronic beats from local and top international djs keeps its loyal local and tourist following more than happy. An institution in Barcelona clubbing the venue also has a relaxing terrace, the perfect place to get away from the dancefloor madness.
Macarena (http://www.macarenaclub.com/)
Like City Hall this venue at the back of Placa Reial is small and intimate but is all the better for it. The clued-up and friendly crowd gets down to the resident djs and occasional guest who literally play from the middle of the dark dancefloor. Minimal beats all week long (it’s open 7 nights a week).
FOOD
Barcelona is a food lover’s heaven, with everything from tasty takeaway and street food to tiny cafes to more opulent trendy restaurants. For lunchtime eating the majority of cafes and restaurants have menu del dia (menu of the day) where you can have 3 courses for around €10/€15.
For a cool eating experience in the open air then head for lunch at Bar Ra (http://www.ratown.com/) located directly behind the vibrant, colourful, world famous Boqueria market on the Ramblas. It’s a mellow funky hippy vibe with cool background music and great food.
Just a minute’s walk from Bar Ra and actually situated in La Boqueria is Bar Pinotxio, one of the finest places in the city to taste some phenomenal tapas.
If you want something on the go and you don’t mind going vegetarian then the falafels served at the many Maoz joints dotted around the city are a must, €3/€4 to be stuffed with healthy food and they let you refill on salad when you’re halfway through. The Raval area of the town, 5 minutes off the Ramblas, houses some of the finest kebabs you’ll ever taste with Bismillah Kebabish on Joaquin Costa worth the wait if there’s a queue outside.
Pizza Del Born (on Passeig Del Born) is an Argentinian run little pizza place where you can take away or eat in. Chunky South American pizza (by the slice/slices or full pizza) and Quilmes beer, what more could a body ask for? Best option is to order take away, get comfy on the seats outside and people watch for a while.
However, if after your weekend’s raving you have the stomach for a nice sit down meal then check out the wonderful Pla (http://www.elpla.cat/) in the Gotic area where friendly, funny bilingual staff and stunning food is the order of the day. For some of he finest South East Asian cuisine you’ll ever enjoy then Matsuri (http://www.matsuri-restaurante.com/) is a must while if it’s a steak you’re after then look no further than Argentinian restaurant El Foro (http://www.restauranteelforo.com/) where you’re certainly leave well fed and contented.
WHERE TO STAY
If you’re going away with friends or your other half for a break we’d recommend looking into apartments, they’ll work out cheaper and you can come and go as you please without having to do the walk of shame past the hotel porter early in the morning. Friendly Rentals (http://www.friendlyrentals.com/) is a great website, among many, to check for a cool apartment for your stay.
But if you’re on the masochistic side and want that walk of shame or just fancy some plush hotel goodness then check out the likes of Banys Orientals in the Born area (http://www.hotelbanysorientals.com/) or Barcelo Raval (http://www.barceloraval.com/) in the Raval. Tough if you want to push the boat out and splash more cash then shoewear company Camper have their own trendy Casa Camper (http://www.casacamper.com/) just off the Ramblas or you could relax and enjoy the spectacular Mediterranean view from your beachside room in Hotel Arts (http://www.hotelartsbarcelona.com/) in Port Olimpic.
GETTING AROUND
Like any decent city the public transport system here is second to none, you will literally be waiting no longer than 5 minutes for the next underground metro to come along. An all-encompassing travel card for bus and Metro travel won’t set you back much at all.
Tickets like the 10 journey T-10 or the 5 day travel card 5 Dies only cost approximately €7 or €21 respectively and are great value. Taxis are relatively cheap too in comparison to Ireland.
OUR TIP
Go for a week or more, fly midweek to midweek so you get some time to take in the many cool bars, cafes and restaurants as well as the endless fun to be had in the clubs. Also, take your ipod/book and come down/bum out at the beach.
Barceloneta beach and the Port Olympic area are only 10 or 15 minutes walk from town and the perfect place to watch all the beautiful people lazing in the sun. Have we told you about the beautiful people yet? We have? Oh, alright then.
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