Barcelona · Bars
Charming bars in Barcelona
Cocktail bars ranked among the best in the world, taverns that opened in the 19th century and neighbourhood vermouth bodegas. These are 18 charming bars in Barcelona, arranged by neighbourhood and checked one by one in November 2026, starting with the ones closest to us, next to La Pedrera.
01
Near La Pedrera: the Eixample
The Eixample is the neighbourhood of elegant cocktail bars and hidden bars. Several are just a few streets from Passeig de Gràcia and La Pedrera; others are in the Esquerra, near Aribau and Muntaner streets.
Les Gens Que J'aime
Classic drinks bar · Dreta de l'Eixample
Opened in 1967: a semi-basement with red velvet sofas, soft lighting and vintage decor. The name comes from a Jacques Brel song.
Carrer de València, 286
Bobby's Free
Speakeasy · Dreta de l'Eixample
A 1920s-style bar hidden behind a barber's shop. The password to get in changes every month and is posted on its Instagram and Facebook.
Carrer de Pau Claris, 85
Boca Chica
Cocktail bar · Dreta de l'Eixample
An elegant cocktail bar in Passatge de la Concepció, a passage just off Passeig de Gràcia, two or three streets from La Pedrera.
Passatge de la Concepció, 10-12
Dry Martini
Classic cocktail bar · Esquerra de l'Eixample
A temple of the dry martini, associated with Javier de las Muelas, and a classic cocktail bar of international renown.
Carrer d'Aribau, 162-166
Sips
Signature cocktail bar · Esquerra de l'Eixample
By Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez: No. 1 in The World's 50 Best Bars in 2023, No. 16 in 2026 and No. 3 in Europe's 50 Best Bars 2026, the best bar in Spain on that list. Booking is advisable.
Carrer de Muntaner, 108
02
Barri Gòtic
Among narrow streets and medieval squares, the Gòtic holds one of the most beautiful interiors in the city.
El Paraigua
Cocktail bar · Barri Gòtic
It occupies the Modernista interior of the former Galles umbrella and fan shop (1902–1967); it opened as a bar in 1968. There is live music in the basement.
Carrer del Pas de l'Ensenyança, 2
03
El Born
Around Santa Maria del Mar and Carrer de Montcada you will find some of Barcelona's most famous bars, from a cava bar dating from 1929 to a cocktail bar that was once the best in the world.
Paradiso
Cocktail bar (speakeasy) · El Born
You go in through the door of a fridge at the back of a pastrami bar. It was No. 1 in The World's 50 Best Bars in 2022; in 2026 it is No. 17 in the world, with the ‘Legend of the List’ award, and No. 9 in Europe's 50 Best Bars. There is often a queue: best to arrive early.
Carrer de Rera Palau, 4
Dr. Stravinsky
Signature cocktail bar · El Born
Styled like an old apothecary, with jars lining the walls, and house-made spirits, ferments and macerations.
Carrer dels Mirallers, 5
El Xampanyet
Cava and vermouth · El Born
A cava and anchovy bar opened in 1929 on the same street as the Museu Picasso, with blue tiles, a zinc counter and barrels. It is worth checking the opening hours before you go.
Carrer de Montcada, 22
Aldea
Signature cocktail bar · El Born
A cocktail bar with a sustainable approach, No. 26 in Europe's 50 Best Bars 2026.
Carrer de l'Esparteria, 14
04
El Raval
El Raval is home to some of the oldest bars in the city: absinthe, marble and wood more than a century old, and Barcelona's oldest cocktail bar, a step away from La Rambla.
Boadas
Classic cocktail bar · El Raval
Barcelona's oldest cocktail bar: it was opened in 1933 by Miguel Boadas, who had worked at La Floridita in Havana. In 2026 it is No. 52 in the world (51–100 list) and No. 36 in Europe.
Carrer dels Tallers, 1
Bar Marsella
Classic bar · absinthe · El Raval
Opened in 1820, it is considered the oldest bar in the city. It is famous for its absinthe, served with water, a sugar cube and a fork.
Carrer de Sant Pau, 65
Casa Almirall
Tavern · vermouth and absinthe · El Raval
Opened in 1860, it is one of Barcelona's oldest taverns, with a marble counter and furniture from the period of transition to Modernisme.
Carrer de Joaquín Costa, 33
La Confitería
Cocktail bar · historic bar · El Raval
A former Modernista pastry shop from 1912 turned into a bar, protected as a Bé Cultural d'Interès Local (a local heritage listing), with a wooden screen and acid-etched glass.
Carrer de Sant Pau, 128
05
Gràcia
Gràcia keeps the feel of a village within the city: squares, neighbourhood bodegas and a cocktail bar on the Europe's 50 Best Bars list, a short walk from the upper end of Passeig de Gràcia.
14 de la Rosa
Cocktail bar · sherry · Vila de Gràcia
A neighbourhood cocktail bar devoted to sherry culture, served neat and in cocktails. No. 35 in Europe's 50 Best Bars 2026.
Carrer de Martínez de la Rosa, 14
La Vermuteria del Tano
Vermouth · classic bodega · Vila de Gràcia
A bodega from 1927 with its original marble counter, wooden benches and barrels; vermouth and tinned delicacies. It changed owners in 2026: it is worth checking the opening hours before you go.
Carrer de Joan Blanques, 17
06
By the sea: Barceloneta and Poblenou
Close to the beach, the Barcelona of the fishermen and the Barcelona of the old factories have their own classics.
Bar Electricitat
Vermouth · bodega · La Barceloneta
A bodega from 1908 with its own vermouth recipe. The name comes from the building, which housed the generator that brought electric light to the fishermen's quarter. It is mainly a daytime bar.
Carrer de Sant Carles, 15
Balius
Cocktail bar · vermouth · El Poblenou
Named after an old paint shop from industrial Poblenou; a cocktail bar with vermouth at weekends.
Carrer de Pujades, 196
Going out for drinks in Barcelona
- Vermouth hour
- Mostly around midday at weekends, roughly from 12:00 to 14:00, before lunch: vermouth on tap with a splash of soda from the siphon, an olive or a slice of orange, and tinned delicacies.
- Cocktail bar opening hours
- Most open between 18:00 and 19:00 and close in the early hours, between 1:00 and 3:00, according to their Google listings in November 2026. The most highly rated, such as Paradiso and Sips, have queues or are best booked ahead.
- Speakeasies
- Some bars have a hidden entrance or ask for a password: Bobby's Free posts its password every month on its social media; at Paradiso you go in through the door of a fridge.
- Metro
- La Pedrera and the Eixample: Diagonal (L3, L5) or Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4); FGC Provença for Aribau and Muntaner. El Born: Jaume I (L4). The Gòtic and El Raval: Liceu (L3). Gràcia: Fontana (L3) or Joanic (L4). La Barceloneta: Barceloneta (L4). El Poblenou: Llacuna or Poblenou (L4).
- No smoking
- In Spain, smoking has been banned inside bars and restaurants since 2 January 2011 (Law 42/2010).
Where to eat nearby
Before or after a drink in the Eixample
Espacio UMA is at Carrer de Mallorca 275, next to La Pedrera, a few streets from the Eixample bars in this guide. We serve three surprise tasting menus by chef Iker Erauzkin, in a single sitting for the whole dining room: at 13:30 (Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) and at 20:30 (Thursday to Monday), with an optional pairing by our sommelier, Anna Yébenes. Menus from €86 per person (UMA Essence, in the dining room; Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1:30 pm, and Monday and Thursday at 8:30 pm), VAT included; drinks extra.
Getting here and what is nearby: restaurant near La Pedrera.
C/ Mallorca 275, Bajos local 1A, 08008 Barcelona
By
The Espacio UMA team · Gastronomic restaurant in the Eixample
Written from Mallorca 275, next to La Pedrera: the Barcelona we recommend to guests who come to dine with us.
Sources
Facts checked on 4 November 2026.