Distrito Cinco

C/Vallirana, 30 : Lesseps : Fontana : Gracia
Tel. 93 237 4827
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Just outside bohemian Gracia in swanky St Gervasi, this spacious bar offers a broad mainstream appeal that is virtually non-existent in Gracia, Barcelona's most alternative area. Distrito Cinco is probably too far uptown for most holidaymakers and daytrippers to bother with, but it is worth checking out for those living in Gracia who fancy something a bit different but don't want to travel too far. It also pulls off the nifty trick of rolling into one the pre-club bar, the pool den and the café with outdoor terrace, making it suitable for many different moods and occasions. It is rather too expensive for heavy drinking sessions, but you could find much worse places to play pool and the little square outside is very charming and quiet, making the terrace a great place to sip a cheeky afternoon beer. The décor and music might be a bit tacky for some tastes and do keep a tight grip on your wallet, but otherwise this is a cool place to hang out.
Paul

Lupino

C/Carme,33 : Liceu : Catalunya
Tel. 93 412 3697
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This Parisian-influenced bar and restaurant is like a Le Corbusier wet dream, assimilating all that is most austerely po-faced in modern-day bar design trends. Long, beige and very thin, Lupino carves a swathe between two streets, fronting out on the east to a narrow Ramblas contributory and on the west to a terraced area behind the Mercat de la Boqueria (the central Barcelona market). The décor betrays all the trappings of pretension most beloved by the style-bar sluts: Spartan, tunic-wearing waitresses with the demeanour of nurses administering an enema; an airport landing strip, back-lit wall design; cream leather pouffes; and retina-scorching-white table cloths stacked with pristine glassware. Step out onto the front terrace, however, and it's a different story. As the flat, filtered brew of Barcelonan air hits you you're suddenly back in the Med, with trailing ivy, dried flower arrangements and deckchairs. Maybe worth popping in for a decent cocktail, but in general though, the Lupino is past it's prime and to be honest is in dire need of a facelift and attitude adjustment.
Karma

Milk Bar

C/Gignas,21 : Jaume I
www.milkbarcelona.com : Tel. 93 268 0922
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Since opening in March 2005, Milk has created a truly unique style. Dangerously comfortable booths, sexy cartoon art and hand-crafted wallpaper all contribute towards a decadent ambiance. The evening menu embraces culinary cultures from all over the world. Weekend brunch is excellent, not only providing delicious plates such as traditional homecooked Irish breakfeast or eggs benedict but also a selection of complimentary English, Irish and Spanish newspapers. Milk has a good location nestled in the narrow streets of the old Barri Gothic, and a soundtrack of rare and funky tunes to set the mood for a great night out. And their cocktails are a treat for selective and discerning tastebuds. The Milk Bar & Bistro offers a modern and elegant option for the ever livelier nights of Barcelona's old town. As their website describes: "Plush sofas, flirtatious pillows, gilded lacy red picture frames, antique chandeliers and incredible wallpaper designed by 50's designer Florence Broadhurst." The menu changes seasonally, and popular dishes include the "Milk hamburger" topped with the house sweet onion relish, served with wedges and tonkatsu sauce, "The Ultimate Caesar Salad" which has their homemade dressing, chapata croutons, smoked bacon, parmesan cheese and topped with a warm poached egg and of course the ever popular "Seafood Jumbalaya." Milk has a famous cocktail list with a legendary Happy Hour for selected cocktails from €3.50 between 7pm and 9pm daily. All-in-all a premium cocktail bar and definitely worth hunting out amongst the narrow catacomb streets of the old Barri Gothic.
Karma

Princesa 23

C/Princesa 23 : Jaume I
www.drinkfoodlife.com : Tel. 933190472
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A bar - aptly named after the street it inhabits - to suit those of us who like a little bit of class whilst quaffing our beverages. I was pleasantly surprised when entering to be greeted in English and given a choice of not only whether to eat or focus primarily on necking some drinks, but if I required a smoking or non-smoking area. A nice touch and not particularly common in this neck of the woods. I was also further pleasantly surprised by the array of drink choices, everything from the usual beers and cocktails (which were artisan by their very nature!) to cider. On parking my butt at the clean and spacious bar area, I was further impressed by a quick gander at the decor. To be honest there are no 'novelties' in this bar but it's definitely well thought out and (I hate to coin this adjective!) nice! Finally, I opened my ears - ready to feel disappointed by the usual, illogically chosen and out of place tunes that amateur proprietors shove hastily into their CD players - only to find them pleasantly caressed by some mellow, yet up-beat tracks that believe it or not you might find in an English bar! All in all then, if I were to summarise this bar I'd say, "Great". For those concerned that despite my unusually optimistic diatribe, I've only given this four stars, I'd like to say to them 'check your wallet on your way home!'
ZeroZero