Image by Rafa

Barrio Gotico is the heart of the nightlife in the city.

Along with Born, Raval and Gracia are one of the most bohemian districts in the city, filled with parks, squares, bars, clubs and clandestine underground after hours, as well as some rare unique unusual exotic delicious litle sins, like Belgian crepes and smoothies.

Don’t miss the 69 combo. No my friends, they don’t sell horizontal experiences, though you might become infatuated by the combination of a salty and a sweet crepe!

Or let it loose to experience certain internal conditions and emotions, which might be noticed externally, that will drive you to a different state of consciousness with the mango passion smoothie.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Belgious | Bars, Snacks | Combo 69 menu € 6.90
Carrer Avinyo 50 | El Barrio Gotico | +34934124965
Mon – Thu 13:30 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 13:30 – 03:00, Sun 16:00 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Rafael Dujarric

If you are a nighthawk, just wear your pair of vintage Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers and be yourself enjoying music with personality and other fellows willing to enjoy the black gold of the night life in Barcelona, dark atmosphere, drinks at good prices and keen bartenders.

The place to meet people and have short distance chats.

But if are looking for a more underground and dissolute atmosphere get down to the basement to see what surprise you might encounter!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Manchester Bar | Bars, Music | Liquor 43 shot € 2.50
Carrer de Milans 3 | El Barrio Gotico | +34663071748
20:00 – 03:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Rafael Dujarric

What you see is what you get! Nor fancy outfit neither gourmet extravaganza, just warm and family atmosphere, hospitality, gentle touch, interesting chat, contagious mood, great Mediterranean food and better prices.

It’s located in the heart of the Gothic quarter, at 3 minutes walk from the city hall and 10 minutes from the Gothic cathedral.

Don’t miss their falafel and humus wrap.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
El Cocinero de Damasco | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants | falafel / wrap € 3.50
Templers 2, corner with Palau | El Barrio Gotico
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Rafa Dujarric

If you happen to be around, take a minute to go to Carrer del Bisbe – one of those typical narrow streets of the Gothic quarter, starting at plaza nova in the cathedral avenue.

If you are lucky enough and the weather is good, you’ll find street artists at the two alleys that cross the backyard of the cathedral (Carrer de Sta Ilucia and Carrer de la Pietat).

The best time of the day to get teased by the enticing sounds of a bandoneon or a harp player, the melancholic mood of an opera or tango singer, or the infectious melodies of a flamenco guitar player is the end of the afternoon.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Carrer del Bisbe | Music, Relaxing
Carrer del Bisbe | El Barrio Gotico
Daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Rafa Dujarric

A playful atmosphere filled by Salsa, merengue, son, relish and good vibes, and friendly people.

It would be impossible to leave Shango without a new friend. Even when there is a language barrier, everyone understands the musical language.

For those with two left foots and a clumsy understanding between them and the waist, there are salsa lessons on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 23:00 to 00:00.

And if you’re in need of help to defeat shyness, they have a happy hour everyday just before: from 21:00 to 23:00!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Shango Bar | Bars, Music | Beer € 2.50
Carrer d’En Groch 2 | El Barrio Gotico
Sun – Thu 21:00 – 02:30, Fri – Sat 21:00 – 03:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Rafa Dujarric

This is one of the few centrally located places open for live performances of emerging bands in Barcelona!

It was opened in 1992, the year of the Olympic games, big hotels and huge impersonal malls. Fortunately it was also understood that the bohemian mood was something that gave the city its popularity.

In order to play there, bands must pass the filter of the bar manager, a frenetic indie music fan who is quite aware of his roll as a gate keeper for bands that have to struggle their way into this fortified jungle of commercial mass. No wonder there was a comedian representing the country in an international music contest.

Either a jam session or a concert, there is live music every night, except for Tuesdays when they have theater performances and plays!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Big Bang Bar | Bars, Music | Concerts € 3.00
Botella street 7 | El Raval
Tue – Sun 23:00 – 03:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by rafa dujarric

You know that birthdays are controversial dates. Some people would have wanted time to stop at a specific age, but some others are like the good wine… the older the better B-)

So my last birthday celebration was a special occasion… I turned 40!

Hence I wanted to have a great celebration that lasted the whole month, but with a special party that very same day I was to commemorate my birth.

For that I needed the proper place to start heating the engines with a good dinner… a good and cozy place that was cheap as well.

Not such a tough quest after all. I had the solution right by my place.

By the time the special date came we were already exhausted with so many parties, and we were only halfway….

Nevertheless, that day Can Nabo hosted almost twenty dropper’s, hunter’s, scuba divers, transients, intransigents, reckless’, untimelies, deafeners and hula hoopers celebrating my birthday.

And besides having to bear this annoying crowd, the crew of Can Nabo even had the detail of preparing a chocolate cake with a candle… nice isn’t it?

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Can Nabo | Restaurants (Mediterranean) | A dish € 3.00
Nou de Sant Francesc 25 | El Barrio Gotico
Sun – Thu 12:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Rafa Dujarric

Founded in 1969, Can Paixano still keeps the atmosphere of a traditional sailor’s tavern.

Its a place to enjoy a wide range of sandwiches and tapas as an excuse to drink the tasty rose cava (sparkling wine). They don’t serve you alcohol unless you eat something.

Anyway, you can always go to the store in the back and buy some bottles to take home. Just to take home, since they don’t sell you the cava at the proper temperature to start drinking it right away. They don’t want to be held accountable of any disturbance you might cause to the neighbors by getting drunk near the tavern with a bottle of their lovely rose cava.

Nevertheless, I wouldn’t miss the chance to meet others unconditional staunch cava lovers, and perhaps have a sip of some of that love.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Xampanyeria Can paixano | Bars | Sandwich & Cava (3 cups) € 5.00
Carrer de la Reina Cristina 7 | Barceloneta | +34933100839
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 22:30, Sun 09:00 – 13:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Rafael Dujarric

There are things that don’t depend on the eyes of the beholder. Red is red no matter who might claim it’s otherwise.

Even though music might be a little relative to one’s taste, at some point pride and prejudice should allow us to admit when good music is good, even if it’s techno, house or electro.

The best part is the minimal mood with which the dj starts heating engines when the hall is half empty around 01:00… better if not Friday or Saturday.

Most Wednesdays they have an international dj.

In order to get in for free just go to bar Manolo on the corner to get the flyers and have a cheap beer, but be aware that the flyers are only valid until 01:30.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Moog | Music | Entrance on Wed € 10.00
Arc del teatre 3 | El Raval | +34933017282
00:00 – 05:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Rafa Dujarric

Actually this is more a club than a cafe.

A pleasure dome filled with cheerful black music that combines elements of house, disco, funk, soul, hip-hop and rare grooves.

It has the perfect atmosphere to reach the state of being completely carried away by unreasoned passion and unrealistic expectations of blissful rapture without positive relationship growth or development between an obsessor and an object of desire with a playful behavior intended to arouse the courtship dance.

As if there were not enough doomsday parties during the week, now Marula has just come up with their “My black is beautiful”, with soulful music and FREE entrance every Sunday!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Marula Cafe | Bars, Music | Entrance (after 02:00) € 10.00
Escudellers 49 | El Barrio Gotico
Sun – Wed 23:00 – 05:00, Fri – Sat 23:00 – 06:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona