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 newly re-opened 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 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 Apolo (see the Apolo article) and before going dancing.

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. The bar also occasionally hosts live gigs.

Friendly staff, 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.

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

Elche (or Elx in Valenciano – a form of Catalan) is the name of a town in the Alicante province of Valencia. People from Elche are collectively called Ilicitans.

The Iborras, an Ilicitan family, moved to Barcelona in 1959 and opened this restaurant – the first restaurant in the city to specialise in food, and particularly rice dishes, from Alicante.

Foodstuffs and wines from Alicante are often referred to as being de Alacant. To clarify some possible confusion, because Alicante is in the region of Valencia (not the city of Valencia), which is often referred to as being in the Levante (or, Levant in English), food and drink, and other products from the area, are sometimes described as being Levantino. 

To explain more possible confusion – the original restaurant in Poble Sec was so successful that the family opened another – called Elx, pronounced exactly the same, in the Maremagnum, down on the city’s waterfront. And the family now own another restaurant, in a town on the coast north of Barcelona.

Though they’re justly proud of their excellent rice dishes I really enjoy the starters here.

I’d be quite happy here to forego a main course, order a selection of starters, a salad, bread and a bottle of the modestly priced Primitivo Quiles, Blanco Caña (€6) – a rustic white wine from Alicante. The char-grilled aubergine, asparagus and prawns, buñuelos (lightly battered parcels of cod) and zamburiñas (scallops), pulpo (octopus), stuffed peppers and fried artichoke are excellent, and compared with most tapas spots, exceedingly good value. 

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Elche | Restaurants | Dinner + house wine € 25.00
C/Vila i Vila, 71 | Poble Sec | +34934413089
13:00 – 16:00 & 19:00 – 00:00 daily

Situated on a 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, with no seats and only two small tables – it’s shoulder to shoulder standing-room only at Quimet i Quimet. 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 are lined from ceiling to floor with bottles of beers, wines and spirits from around the world.

But it’s the food that makes this bodega very special – simple, but delicious cheeses, cold meats, canned seafood, caviar 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 – 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 then call into Rouge for drinks, music and atmosphere.

Be aware that Quimet i Quimet is only open until four in the afternoon on Saturday, and does not open on Sunday.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Quimet i Quimet | Bars, 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