Just two streets from Plaça Joanic in Barcelona and the metro station, you’ll find Heliogàbal, a lively music venue in Gràcia, founded in 1995.

This intimate venue, with a capacity of just 66 people, has played, and continues to play, an influential role in breaking new bands onto the city’s music scene. It doesn’t have a striking entrance, but once you’re in, you’ll enjoy it’s warm ambience.

A few years ago the place was forced to close because a neighbour complained. However, thanks to the support of locals, and the importance that the venue has in Gràcia, Heliògabal bounced back with more energy.

Open three nights a week, Heliogàbal also offers occasional concerts vermut (lunch time gigs).

Heliogàbal also produces Festigàbal in collaboration with the legendary Festes de Gràcia. The two-day festival offers free concerts at La Sedeta, in Camp d’en Grassot, during the Festes.

It has a bar next to the stage where you’ll be able to get draft beer, vermut, gin-tonic, or a drink of your choice while enjoying the gig. Their staff are very good at selecting bands and singers to perform at the club, so you may get to see and experience a rarely seen upcoming band that you haven’t heard about before.

I think it’s a perfect spot for music fans who like small intimate venues. It is good to know that, depending on the artist, it might be quite empty or sold-out and totally packed, so be aware because Heliogàbal is small. And I mean SMALL.