I get asked all the time for recommendations of places to eat, drink and be fabulous in Barcelona so I thought it was about time I did a little series talking you through exactly where I would head if I only had a weekend in town.
We'll kick off with, arguably the most crucial aspect of your trip, the drinks!
Here are 7 of my favourite places to grab a Margarita in the city.
Paradiso
I almost don't want to tell you too much about, Paradiso, it's dark and a little bit mysterious and I think an element of surprise and wonder when you go in is all part of the charm. Paradiso sits in Born close to Port Vell, it's dark, sexy and full of drama, which you know ticks all my boxes!
Madame George
Madame George is a wonderful little cocktail bar in Poblenou, a vibrant little corner of Barcelona, heaving with the hundreds of bars and eateries which sprawl down Rambla Poblenou. Madame George twinkles under the light of it's vintage chandeliers and candlelit lounge. The cocktails are fabulous, if often has a DJ at the weekend and it's just a stones throw from...
Balius
Less than a 30 second walk from Madame George it would be criminal not to make a stop at Balius Cocteleria while you're in the neighbourhood. Balius has live jazz on a Sunday afternoon and evening which is a great atmosphere if that's you thing. Every other night of the week they serve well mixed, unusual and absolutely delicious cocktails.
The Rooftop at Ohla
Everyone loves a rooftop bar, don't they. My favourite in BCN is The Rooftop at Ohla, a gorgeously glamorous hotel on the famous Via Laietana in Gotico. The Ohla rooftop is a little oasis of calm where you can sip an ice cold drink with stunning views of the city below.
Carpe Diem
You're on holiday and so a cocktail with your toes in the sand is a must. Carpe Diem is right on the beach just next to Port Olimpic. Carpe Diem is open for lunch, dinner and in the evening transforms into a nightclub. If you're a cocktail kind of girl I recommend the Nivana. CDLC will also be featuring on my fave restaurants blog so if you're in the market for a glam night in the city and you love sushi, get a table booked!
Tito@cdlcbarcelona.com for reservations ❤ say hello from me!
El Chiringuito
If you're looking for drinks with a sea breeze but you prefer something you can roll up to with bare feet and a bikini, don't follow the crowds of tourists to Barceloneta Beach, head down to Platja Bogatel where the locals spend our beach days. All of the chiringuitos on the beach are pricey (for Barcelona) but I find El Chiringuito to be the most reasonable and have the best atmosphere and music.
Chill
I couldn't write a blog on my favourite bars without mentioning my local. Chill Bar is a little fairy lit cave of cocktails, great music and delicious snacks virtually on the steps of The Sagrada Familia. Open throughout the day and evening with a fabulous cocktail menu (naturally) and super reasonable prices especially considering it's proximity to one of Barcelonas main tourist attractions, Alex. A gem of a bar right in the heart of the city!
Sips is another firm favourite for both cocktails and atmosphere.
A similar vibe to Paradiso but without the crazy tourist queues.
A firm favourite.
Mariposa Negra in El Born is a cute bar with incredible cocktails (which are also súper Instagram worthy!
It also has a shady terrace which is a fabulous place to spend your afternoon or evening!
Dux Gin & Cocktails is the cutest little bar introduced to me by my equally cute friend Jasmine! Speak easy style and in the heart of Borne, fabulous cocktails which are crying out to be featured on your Instagram story (especially if you love dry ice and drinks with a bit of extravaganza.
My favourite is the Japanese Antidote!
https://duxborne.com
Bosc De Les Fades is a magical forest of a cocktail bar which makes you feel like you’ve walked right into Alice in Wonderland.
Perfect to go to with kids.
Sip on your drinks surrounded by trees and waterfalls, there are even bursts of thunder and lightening (happily without the rain) to make it feel extra enchanting.
Bar Marsella in Raval is where Picasso and Hemingway used to drink and that’s enough for it to go to the absolute top of my Barcelona list.
It is Barcelona in a bar, a chaotic, bohemian, slightly dishevelled glamour.
They serve absente exactly how it should be served... did I mention Picasso drank there?
London Bar
Despite the name, London Bar has very little to do with London, it is, however the place where circus performers and artists would frequent when they were in town.
Their cocktail list is unique and inspired by it’s colourful, creative clientele.
Good music and great drinks and atmosphere.
Le Motif
Le Motif is the best of both worlds, you can eat and drink upstairs and on their airy terrace in the heart of El Born. Perfect for brunch, lunch, dinner or cocktails.
Or, as we do at the weekends, head downstairs to the basement to the bar complete with DJ. On Saturdays the music is often techno (which is why we go down) but check their Instagram to see what’s on each week.
The drinks are super reasonably priced, there’s no entrance fee and the music is immaculate!
Absenta Barceloneta
Our local, a weird and (we think) wonderful little bar in our barrio of Barceloneta. Dating back 1897, it’s a firm favourite among the Barceloneta residents. Always busy, usually has a great DJ tucked away in the little booth.
We start most of our weekend nights down there.
Say hello if you see us all down there!
Metric Market
I have never eaten at Metric but the music, drinks and atmosphere here are on point. There’s always live music or a DJ set (sometimes both) and a party atmosphere.
Two Schmucks
One of my all time favourite cocktail bars in the city. A chaotic, relaxed , unique atmosphere and some of the best cocktails in the city.
Five glittering stars from me!