Poble Sec Barcelona – All our local tips

Situated on a relatively quiet street between the lively heart of Poble Sec and the busy, wide avenue of Parallel this small bodega serves exquisitely prepared plates of tapas.

It’s a busy, bustling little place and you won’t find a seat or a table – it’s shoulder to shoulder standing-room only at Quimet i Quimet – and there’s often a small crowd on the street outside.

The bodega serves its own label Belgian bottled beers and its own labelled cava. The walls of this tiny spot are lined from ceiling to floor with bottles of beers, wines and spirits from around the world – with exotic, rarely seen, bottles of advocaat, coñacs, vodkas and whisky, and its wines are second to none.

But it’s the food that makes this bodega very special – simple, but delicious foods such as cheeses, cold meats, canned seafood and vegetable patés served on bread or with bread sticks and transparent fruit flavoured jelly conserves, all lovingly arranged on the plate like an artwork. If you’re a foodie you’ll know the name Ferran Adrià – see this link – well, this bodega is one of his favoured spots for tapas in Barcelona.

It’s not a place for a meal – just a bite or two before dinner. It’s situated just a few doors up the street from Rouge (see the Rouge article) so you could make an evening of it: drop by at Quimet i Quimet for a bite with wine then call into Rouge for drinks, music and atmosphere.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Quimet i Quimet | Snacks | Tapas from € 0.95
C/Poeta Cabanyes 25 | Poble Sec | +34934423142
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 16:00 & 19:00 – 22:30, Sat 12:00 – 16:00 | Closed August

Even in my previous lives I don’t think I’ve ever found myself in the waiting-room of a 1950s upmarket Spanish bordello, but if I had I imagine it would look and feel a bit like Rouge (think Almodóvar).

Situated in Poble Sec just off Parallel, not far from the old music theater El Molino (Moulin Rouge – get it?), and a few doors down from Quimet i Quimet (see the Quimet i Quimet article), Rouge is a quirky lounge-bar decorated with gilt-framed copies of Mannerist, Impressionist and Old Masters’ paintings.

With its eclectic collection of comfy sofas, deep armchairs, bum-numbing stools, deep red walls and low lighting I love its louche atmosphere.

It’s a good spot for a drink or two after a gig at the nearby Apollo and before going dancing. Rouge serves food – sandwiches and tasty little bites – and a range of cocktails.

Rouge attracts an interesting crowd: fashion designers, hat makers, graphic artists, songwriters, poets and film-makers. But, perhaps contrary to expectations, it’s not pretentious at all – just a cool place to hang out with friends.

The music is a discreet, cool, layered mix of lounge groove, 90s ambient and 80s synth-pop.

Friendly staff, an interesting arrray of people, a good, lively atmosphere, in a laid-back kind of way, make this a spot to remember and re-visit time and again. It’s so good I’ll probably still be visiting Rouge in future lives.

UPDATE: I describe this spot as being like a bordello – well, now it really is! Yes, the Poetry Brothel (Prostíbulo Poético), convened by Madame Eva, meets here. Poetry brothel? Clients choose a poet and retreat to a quiet nook, perhaps behind a screen, and the poet recites intimate, often erotic, poetry.

Poetry Brothel sessions are FREE, though tips are welcome. Check out: www.poetrybrothelbarcelona.blogspot.com

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Rouge | Bars, Music, Snacks | Bottled beer € 3.00
C/Poeta Cabanyes 21 | Poble Sec | +34934424985
Tue – Wed 20:00 – 02:00; Thu – Fri 22:30 – 02:00; Sat 22:30 – 04:00