Drink Local in Barcelona | A Guide to the Top Bars in Barcelona
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We always talk about how integral the cuisine is to the city of Barcelona but we are missing one component… the drinks! Barcelona is a city made for indulging in wine, beer, vermouth, and cocktails and there are so many fantastic places to indulge at. We wanted to share with you, our favorite bars in Barcelona to drink local!
Welcome to our Barcelona Series! Here in this series you will learn everything you need to have a perfect time in Barcelona. We are all about eating, drinking and living local and there is no place we like to do all of that better than Barcelona!
Here is what you can expect from this series:
Top Tips for First Time Visitors to Barcelona
Ultimate Barcelona Packing List
Unique Things to Do in Barcelona
Classic Old School Barcelona Restaurants
Top Modern Barcelona Restaurants
Eat Local in El Born
Barcelona’s Transport System
Drink Local in Barcelona – You’re Here!
What is the One Quintessential Barcelona Thing You Have to Do?
Drink Local in Barcelona: Our Favorite Bars in Barcelona
La Confiteria
Carrer de Sant Pau, 128
7 p.m. – 3 a.m. Monday through Thursday; 6 p.m. – 3:30 a.m. Friday; 5 p.m. – 3:30 a.m. Saturday; 5 p.m. – 3 a.m. Sunday
In El Raval, there is a 1920’s art deco bar that has been revitalized to its former glory. Its newest reincarnation is as an elegant cocktail bar as picturesque as a 1920’s postcard. La Confiteria was a candy shop back in the 1920’s and is now serving locals and cocktail aficionados delectable libations ready to be consumed well into the early morning.
The current owners did not touch the decor of the bar as they wanted to take us back in time to not only the original candy shop but also the original cocktail revolution. They keep the spirit of the time with their imaginative craft cocktail list that puts a smile on anybody wanting to pull up a stool in this blast from the past. This whimsical candy shop quickly became one of our favorite bars in Barcelona with offerings such a spicy mango daiquiris and an Alice in Wonderland themed cocktail served up in a teacup!
Garage Beer Co.
Carrer del Consell de Cent, 261
5 p.m. – 12 a.m. Monday through Wednesday; 5 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. Thursday; 5 p.m. – 3 a.m. Friday; 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
The craft beer scene has gone off in Barcelona just like everywhere else in the world and tucked away in the neighborhood of Eixample is Garage Beer Co. with their 8 tap system of delicious beer for people to come in and enjoy.
Garage beer is one of the best beer bars in Barcelona that we had a chance to visit. From the anarchist spirit to the atmosphere to the industrial look and punk playing over the speakers, it all beckoned us in.
Grab a pint of the Riba, their craft larger, or a pint of their Garage IPA to start off your night off right. If you are lucky and ask you will be able to enjoy some of their beer out of a porrón, a traditional vessel to drink wine out of, for a fun a filled night. Ash and I had a hard time leaving and wanted to stay longer at this wonderful craft brewery.
Also, everyone should drink wine out of a porrón! Own one today!
Bodega Maestrazgo – Wine Shop
Carrer de Sant Pere Més Baix, 90
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday
Located in our favorite neighborhood of El Born, Bodega Maestrazgo stole our hearts when we first walked in. It was everything we wanted out of an old school bodega. In the front of the house, you have large barrels were you can fill up your empty liter bottles of water with thirst-quenching red and white wine for around 3€. Along the walls is a collection of local Catalan wine with a small space in the back where you could pop a bottle to enjoy with friends.
Bodega Maestrazgo was a nightly stop for Ash and I. I mean how could we not fill up our empty water bottles with wine at the end of the night. This is a perfect spot for anyone want ting to enjoy a glass of some delicious local wine.
Also if you want to learn more about Spanish wine and tapas check out Devour Barcelona’s tour, Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour. While we personally haven’t joined the tour our friend, Fintan, is one of the guides and he is so insanely knowledgeable about Spanish wine and wine in general!
Bar Marsella
Carrer de Sant Pau, 65
10 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Bar Marsella hands down is one of the best bars in Barcelona. You might remember that I have already dedicated a whole article to this magical place and I think I could not describe the bar better than I already have:
“Like a faded Polaroid from the past: the corners blurred with cobwebs, the colors dulled by time and cigarettes, the walls and the ceiling showing wrinkles as the faded paint peels free, old liquor bottles frozen in time in their cabinets frosted with dust, and an old wooden bar stands at the center of attention of the rickety tables and chairs, Bar Marsella wears the scars of time proudly.”
Bar Marcella has not changed in 200 years and that faded past seeps through its walls. While they have a full bar at your disposal, there is really only one thing you should indulge in at this old haunt of Hemingway and that is homemade absinthe.
It is their specialty and it is absolutely delicious and won’t put you in debt. For around 5€ you get yourself a glass of absinthe, sugar, and water. These ingredients help fade away your present worries and take you back in time even if just for a night.
Cellar Can Marino
Carrer de Margarit, 54
12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday; Closed Monday
Cellar Can Marino is a little gem in the Poble Sec neighborhood of Barcelona. It was our friends from Barcelona that first introduced us to this wonderful little wine bar a ways off the beaten path. We truly wished we had found out about this place a little bit sooner because we probably would have spent all of our money in this place.
The entrance is lined with large barrels that open up to a room that has an open kitchen where you go and order your 2€ glass of wine and the house favorite snack of papas arrugás. The space is casual and the atmosphere is lively, youthful, and filled with locals wanting to have a good time with friends and family, making this one of our favorite bars in Barcelona to spend our nights.
Collage
Carrer dels Consellers, 1
7:30 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 7:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. Sunday
Collage, located in El Born, was one of the first cocktail bars in Barcelona that we discovered. Lucky for us it was just a couple of blocks from our apartment and I still feel to this day that Collage was a bar built just for Ashley and me. Then again I think most tiki bars are built just for us to enjoy.
When you first walk into Collage it does not look like your cliche tiki bar but a classic hip Barcelona bar. That is until you start paying attention and realize that it has an amazing subtle tiki theme.
Collage is not a big bar and you may have to squeeze in. There are two small rooms, one that contains the bar with a few stools and a couple of tightly packed tables, then the upstairs is a small casual lounge with around 4 to 5 tables.
The cocktails are excellently crafted, with some great innovation along with the classics. If you are like us then head over to Collage and raise your flaming skull to the tiki gods as you slurp down your zombie. The tiki cocktail reigns supreme in one the best bars in Barcelona.
La Vinya del Senyor
Plaza de Santa Maria, 5
12 p.m. – 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday; 12 p.m. – 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. Sunday
La Vinya del Senyor breaks almost every one of our rules when it comes to picking a restaurants or bars in Barcelona. This wonderful little wine bar is located just outside Basilica Santa Maria del Mar in the main square. Well, even though we tell people to never sit down at a place located on a main square, you can ignore that rule for La Vinya del Senyor.
Their wine list is not large but the small hand-picked list of Catalan and Spanish wine is perfect for an evening in Barcelona. Enjoy yourself with a nice inky bold red from Priorat or a crisp, citrusy cava from Sant Sadurni d’Anoia.
A few glasses of wine or a few bottles along with a charcuterie plate, and you are in for a wonderful evening of drinking like a local in Barcelona.
Vaso del Oro
Carrer de Balboa, 6
12 p.m. -12 a.m. daily
Vaso del Oro in Barceloneta is Barcelona’s original craft brew place. This place has been serving up Catalan and Spanish style tapas and their home brewed beer for over 50 years.
Vasa del Oro is dominated by the main bar that wraps around the room with just one little open area for tables. The locals belly up to the bar, order a flauta of either the dark or light beer and then enjoy some pimientos padron, grilled foie gras, and any number of dishes to complete your night.
This is the best beer bar in Barcelona and Ash and I could not stay away from this old school place. If you need to try at least one local beer while in Barcelona then pull up a stool at Vaso del Oro.
Bormuth
Plaça Comercial, 1
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Bormuth in El Born became our go to drinking spot when we did not know where to go. It is centrally located in the heart of El born and it is a great place to quench your thirst.
Bormuth is on top of our list for bars in Barcelona to enjoy la hora de vermut or vermouth hour. They serve both red and white as well as an aged reserve vermouth. All three of them are delicious and perfect with a small plate of olives.
If you are not in the mood for vermouth then order yourself a gin and tonic. These gin and tonics are not for the faint of heart and will put you on your back if you are not careful. They’re refreshing, delicious and strong, and oh yeah, they serve them in giant goblets. So there is that as well.
Also, the place has an amazing menu that is a modern twist on classic Spanish and Catalan cuisine!
Blacklab Brewhouse
Palau del Mar, Plaça de Pau Vila, 1
12 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; 12 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Blacklab Brewery is a modern brewery that is located right along the port of Barcelona in Barceloneta. They have a huge list of home brewed beers that they brew on site. One of our favorites is Claudia, an Indian Pale Ale, but Ash and I were pretty impressed with the majority of their beer.
Don’t worry if you have ended up there on an empty stomach as the food is a creative blend of American, Asian, and Catalan cuisine all prepared with fresh local ingredients.
One of the cool things that Blacklab does is that they will also feature another local craft beer as well. We always support people who like to support their fellow locals.
Barcelona is not just a mecca of places to eat but it is also one for drinking as well! Eating while drinking or drinking while eating is just as normal as breathing for them. They go together and why would you have any other way? This is just the tip of the iceberg of the bars in Barcelona but a great way for you to start drinking local!
Read On to Read the Rest of the Series!
Top Tips for First Time Visitors to Barcelona
Ultimate Barcelona Packing List
Unique Things to Do in Barcelona
Classic Old School Barcelona Restaurants
Top Modern Barcelona Restaurants
Eat Local in El Born
Barcelona’s Transport System
Drink Local in Barcelona – You’re Here!
What is the One Quintessential Barcelona Thing You Have to Do?
Heading to Barcelona soon? Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! Sure you may not use it but its always good to have. We recommend World Nomads which we have been using for years and have always made us feel secure as we travel around the world!
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About Us
We are Ashley and Alex and we're foodies and boozies who eat, drink and live local. Our goal is to scour the globe looking for inside local tips, the best places to eat and the best places to drink with the locals.
We are also authors of a culinary guidebook, "Eat Local in Barcelona: A Guide to Catalan Cuisine." This guidebook is all about learning how, what and where to eat and drink local in Barcelona. Find out more in the link below!
Follow along with our adventures, so that you too can eat, drink and live local!
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