Image by AC Uribe

One lovely thing about Barcelona is that you get to know people from all countries on the world – or at least it seems like it. One of my closest friends is a Serbian guy who discovered this tiny place that prides itself in being the only bar with original Rajika in Barcelona.

The Rajika is a typical and strong liquor distilled from different kinds of fruits – very typical in the Balkan region. When you go to Paspartú and you order it, the Balkan owners will ask you if you want a soft Rakija/Rakia (around 22º) or a strong one (40º). They have different flavors to try but I have to say I that those involving red fruits (cherries, any kind of berries) are very nice.

If you’re not in the mood for strong new alcoholic experiences, you can also try a very cold beer or a normal mixed drink. Not too expensive, not too big, not too loud – those seem to be the codes that make this tiny place a great new discovery. Thanks, Vlada!

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Paspartú | Bars | Shot of Rakija € 3
Basses de Sant Pere 12 | El Borne
Mon – Thu 19:00 – 02:00, Fri – Sat 20:00 – 03:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

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.

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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!

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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 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!

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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!

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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

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 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!

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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

Image by Rafa Dujarric

Sleep 8 hours a day, cook healthy, do the laundry, clean your house, besides working 8 hours a day, and still have a life to live … bull shit!

Unless you can find a way to make the days longer than 24 hours, there is no way to have a healthy and organized life and yet have time to live it.

So forget about everything, just work to survive and seize every moment as if it was the last, and then rest and eat healthy during the weekends.

Just come to a jam session on any Tuesday or Wednesday and sing as if no one was hearing you (be aware that the musicians playing are usually really good), or come any other day to a concert and after live music, the venue turns into a den of iniquity with a dj to dance as if no one was watching at you until 6 in the morning and then love as if you haven’t been hurt.

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Harlem Jazz Club | Bars, Music | Jam session (includes a drink) € 5
Comtessa de Sobradiel 8 | El Barrio Gotico | +34933100755
Mon – Wed 22:30 – 03:00, Thu – Sat 23:30 – 06:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Bill Sinclair

In 1969 the U.S.A. supposedly first landed men on the Moon. They stopped going there in 1972. They’d visited the place just six times. Why did they stop going there? There was no atmosphere they said.

Well, there’s lots of atmosphere at this little moon – morning, day and night.

Tucked inside a cozy basement on the busy corner of Provença and Balmes, Moon is one of a few places I know of which, regardless of the time of day between 8.30 and 01:30, you can rely on getting a bite, a drink and atmosphere.

There are loads of spots which are good for an early morning coffee and a pastry, and a fair few places which are good for an esmorzar later in the morning. There are innumerable places for a good menú del día; and a good many spots good for an afternoon beer, coffee or tea – or berenar/merienda. There are a host of good places for an early evening vermut, or tapas; dozens of places for dinner, and loads of places for an after-dinner drink or cocktail. At Moon you can get it all – from breakfast coffee to after-midnight snacks and cocktails, complete with books, magazines and music.

The hamburgers and vegetarian burgers here are really very good, as are the salads. And their menú del día is very good value.

Try it, and, unlike the U.S.A., you’ll find you’ll want to go back time and again.

You can rely on Moon – it’s a very good, conveniently located, all-rounder.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
MOON Café-bar | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants | Menú del día € 9.95
Provença, 213 | Eixample | +34934881721
Mon – Fri 07:00 – 02:00, Sat 09:00 – 03:00, Sun 17:00 – 03:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Bill Sinclair

Built in 1892 Mercat de l’Abaceria is situated on the busy Traveserra de Gràcia, just 200 metres from the Library, very near John Lennon Square (see the Lennon square article) and even nearer to Bodega E. Marín (see the Bodega E. Marin article). it is one of four markets in Gràcia and one 39 food markets in the city.

You’ll find some of the very best veggies, fruit, fish, meat, cheeses and herbs here as well as Japanese sushi and fresh pasta, an Iraqi grocer selling food and drink from the eastern mediterranean, and a second-hand bookstall where all the books (some in English) are just € 1.00.

The market has three bars, all of which sell food prepared with ingredients from the market, so, when you’re done shopping for veggies you can cool your heels and slake your thirst before buying your fish, meats and cheeses.

The city council does a really inspiring job of promoting the city’s 43 markets (39 food markets and 4 non-food markets) – with healthy eating tours led by nutritionists – including tours for diabetics and weight watchers – practical demonstrations on food preparation and resource packs for local schools.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Mercat de l’Abaceria Central | Bars, Shopping, Snacks
Travessera de Gràcia, 186 | Gracia | +34932136286
Mon – Thu 07:00 – 14:30 & 17:30 – 20:30, Fri – Sat 06:00- 15:00 & 17:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona