C/Francisco Giner, 36 :
Fontana 
: Joanic 
: Gracia 
: 
The bar that the expression "hidden gem" was invented for, Le Journal is a great little find. Extremely cosy with comfy furniture that sucks you into it and refuses to let you out until you're very drunk indeed. The upstairs balcony is pleasingly low so that if you're lucky enough to get seats by the edge you can cheekily lean down and order drinks from the bar without leaving your table. One side of the room is a huge mirror with the cocktail menu scrawled on it in vibrant red and black lipstick-coloured letters. The walls and ceilings are plastered with old newspapers, a decorative choice which sounds naff but surprisingly really works. Le Journal shares the same cosy and eclectic style of Chatelet and St Germain, but oozes an authentic cool that those more mainstream bars lack. It also features the same happy hour, offering two cocktails for 7€ between 6pm and 10pm. Smoking is allowed throughout the entire bar making it a something of a rarity these days and a welcome haven for smokers. Just a few minutes walk south of Plaça del Sol and Travesera de Gracia, there really is no excuse for not checking out Le Journal.
Paul
