Bars, Clubs & Live Music
ALFA
Gran de Gràcia 36 / 93 415 1824
If you like to groove to music that you can actually sing along to, this lively disco in the Gràcia district is the place for you. A mixed crowd comes to dance (and we mean dance; tables and chairs for lounging are nowhere in sight) to classic and current pop tunes. Open Thu-Sat 10.30pm-3.30am.
BAJA BEACH CLUB
Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 34 / 93 225 9100 / www.bajabeach.es
Bare-chested barmen and scantily clad professional dancers, a drinks list that includes far more shots than cocktails, bleeping techno beats and a thundering base… Baja Beach is Barcelona’s cheesy mega club par excellence. No, it’s not sophisticated, but it’s a fabulously fun place for a big night out. The club is best known for implanting its VIPs with tiny microchips that allow them to pay for drinks with a mere wave of the hand. Very silly but good fun. Open Thu-Sun noon-6am.
BUDHA BAR
Carrer Pau Claris 92 / 93 318 4252
The oversize golden Buddhas scattered throughout this sexy restaurant-cum-bar lend it a glitzy, even ostentatious mood that pairs perfectly with its over-the-top parties and theme nights. One of Barcelona’s trendiest nightspots Budha Bar hosts Tuesdays’ “Model’s Night”, the disco-style “Friday Night Fever” and twice-monthly “Asian Night”, complete with geishas serving drinks. Open daily until 3am.
DANZARAMA
Gran Via 604 / 93 301 9743
House beats dominate the dance floor at this popular restaurant, bar and disco near the Plaça Universitat, but even better than the music is the spectacular design, featuring fresh, minimalist lines and unexpectedly fun elements like the giant swings in the dining room. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but the real action happens Thu-Sat nights from midnight until 3am.
DANZATORIA
Avinguda Tibidabo 61 / 93 211 6261
Yet another multi-space venue, Danzatoria is both a cosy restaurant and a sophisticated club where you can dine, stay for drinks on the spectacular terrace overlooking Barcelona, then dance the night away among the city’s most fashionable night owls. There might as well be a sign reading “Beautiful people only, please.” Club open Thu-Sat 11pm until 3am (also open Sundays in summer). Take a cab.
DRY MARTINI
Aribau 162-166 / 93 217 5072
Hands down Barcelona’s best cocktail bar, the elegant Dry Martini has an international reputation for its classy service and dizzying list of cocktails. It’s somewhat out of the way so take a cab. Open Mon to Fri 1pm-2.30am, Sat-Sun 6.30pm-2.30am.
GINGER
Plaça de Sant Just 1 / 93 310 5309
A sleek, retro-chic vibe permeates this cocktail and tapas bar in the Gothic quarter, attracting a clientele of hip professionals who meet in the intimate bar area for jazz and low-key drinks before and after dinner. Open Tue-Sat 7pm-3am.
LA PEDRERA DE NIT
Passeig de Gràcia 92 / 93 484 5900 or 902 101 212
Gaudí’s magical Casa Milá, known as La Pedrera or “The Quarry” because of its stony façade, is a beautiful place to visit anytime. But it doesn’t get any better than this: a rooftop visit at night, with a glass of cava in hand, and live jazz or flamenco setting the mood. Buy tickets (€11) well in advance. Fri & Sat 9pm-midnight, Jun-Aug only.
LA TERRAZZA
Avinguda Marrquès de Comillas, Poble Espanyol / 93 272 4980 / www.nightsungroup.com
Dance under the stars, then stay to watch the sun rise at Barcelona’s biggest open-air club, ideally located within the Poble Espanyol on Montjuïc, where there are no neighbours to complain about the noise. The city’s trendiest pack “The Terrace” to dance shoulder-to-shoulder to Ibiza-style house; come early to avoid waiting in the long lines that form after 2am or so. Thu-Sat midnight-7am, May-Oct.
LA TERRASSA DEL CLARIS
Pau Claris 150 / 93 487 6262 / www.derbyhotels.es
Chill out at the al-fresco, rooftop restaurant and bar of the 5-star Hotel Claris, which tempts with fabulous city views, chic cocktails, and music that ranges from live Samba to 70s beats spun by the in-house DJ. Open 11pm-1am nightly, Jun-Sep.
LONDON BAR
Nou de la Rambla 34 / 93 318 5261
A Modernist-styled bohemian tavern that’s been serving since 1910, the mythic London Bar has attracted famous tipplers including Hemingway and Dalí. These days, a sundry crowd of expats, tourists, locals and artsy types stops in for drinks and live music. Concerts (rock, jazz or flamenco) held nightly at 12.30am. Open Tue to Sun 6.30pm-3.30am.
MAGIC
Passeig Picasso 40 / 93 310 7267
A temple to rock of every style and era, the magical Magic is a club for true music aficionados. It’s best known for its Thursday night concerts, featuring quality up-and-coming bands from across Spain and beyond. Open Thu-Sat 11pm-5.30am.
OMMM SESSION
Hotel Ommm, Rosselló 265 / 93 445 4000
Being beautiful seems a requirement for entry at this hip bar and lounge, serving a rather fabulous jet set crowd of models, fashion and media folk along with the odd celebrity. Have your martini on one of the oversized white couches, or take a perch on a designer bar stool, then head downstairs to the dancefloor. Open Sun-Wed 7am-1.30am, Thu-Sat 7am-2.30am.
OTTO ZUTZ
Lincoln 14 / 93 238 0722 / www.ottozutz.com
One of Barcelona’s most storied venues for live music and big-name DJs, this New-York-warehouse-style club offers the best in hip hop, R&B and house on the main floor. Those in the mood for something different can wander to the “Red Room” or “Los Altos” for a change of ambience. The ultra-exclusive VIP room on the third floor is the nightspot of choice for visiting celebrities including Eminem and Sean “Diddy” Combs. Open Wed to Sat midnight-5am.
PALAU DE LA MÚSICA CATALANA
Sant Francesc de Paula 2 / 93 295 7200 / www.palaumusica.org
An explosion of tiles, mosaics, sculpture and colour, the “Palace of Catalan Music” is the most extravagant Modernist creation in the city, and the best way to appreciate architect Lluís Domènech i Muntaner’s handiwork is by seeing a concert here. A full roster of mainly classical concerts means that there’s something worth seeing nearly every night. Box office open Mon to Sat 10am-9pm and Sun one hour before the performance.
RAZZMATAZZ
Pamplona 88 / 93 272 0910 / www.salarazzmatazz.com
Can’t decide between pop, techno, house and rock? Then the mega club Razzmatazz is for you. It’s five clubs in one, so there’s something for every mood. Usually, you’ll find live music in at least one space. Open Fri-Sat 1am-5am.
SIDECAR
Plaça Reial 7 / 93 302 1586 / www.sidecarfactoryclub.com
Located on the ever-crowded Plaça Reial this is a happening spot every night of the year, and with good reason. The night starts early with live music, though the real scene lights up after midnight with sounds ranging from pop to soul, electronic or indie rock. Open daily 5pm-3am, until 5am Fri-Sat.
SPIRITUAL CAFÉ
Museu Marítim, Avinguda Drassanes / 93 317 5256 / www.spiritual-cafe.org
The sprawling patio of the Maritime Museum, housed in the city’s glorious medieval shipyards, becomes a chill-out lounge where incense, candles, a barrage of pillows and chant-like meditation music create a “spiritual” atmosphere unique in Barcelona. Wed-Sun 9.30pm-3am May-mid-Oct & Thu-Sat 9.30pm-3am mid-Oct-Apr.