19th Hole

Avinguda Pla de Vinyet 12-13 : Sant Cugat : FGC
Tel. 93 674 8884
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Warning: this bar is not recommended for tourists! The 19th Hole is not even in Barcelona, but in the nearby town of Sant Cugat, about 20mins away by train, and while it is a very charming town and many ex-pats move there after a few years in Barcelona to escape the busy city life, it´s not exactly a classic destination for holidaymakers. However, a significant proportion of the young ex-pat population work for one of the many multinational companies located in and around Sant Cugat, and so for this reason, and in the absence of a drinkSantCugat bar blog, this pub is well worth a mention. If there was an annual contest for “Best bar in Sant Cugat”, then the 19th Hole would surely triumph year after year, if only for the total lack of competition. It´s a very big and spacious bar with chandeliers, tasty tuck and a classy ambience. In the evening and on weekdays, the pub is fairly subdued and feels more like a pub-restaurant than a balls-to-the-wall boozer. However, on Friday and Saturday night from about midnight to 3am, the local Catalan youngsters come out in force and the pub is then rammed until closing time, with a DJ playing mainstream but inoffensive dance tunes. It´s not cheap, but then of course neither is Sant Cugat. If you live or work in the area, this is an excellent, and indeed the only, place to go for after-work drinks followed by a naughty segue into late-night revellry.
Paul

De Deus

C/Torrent de L'Olla 89 : Fontana : Joanic : Gracia : FGC
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Gracia is alleged to have the largest number of bars per square metre than anywhere else in the world, although admittedly this allegation tends to be made by those who are in the process of drinking their own bodyweight in cairpirinhas. This bohemian barrio is light on cool places in which to dance the night away post 3am, but heavy on cosy, slightly pretentious cocktail bars. Gracia may not really have more bars for its size than anywhere else in the world, but it can surely boast Barcelona's densest concentration of film projectors. However, amongst the cocktail bars, old man's cafes and English pubs, there evidently remains a gap in the market for those who like to while away their Wednesday nights drinking artesanal cocktails surrounded by fantastical art while watching a local magician perform his dark art before leaving with take-away coffees. If that´s what you´re been craving in a bar, then congratulations, your niche has finally been catered for. Apart from the regular Wednesday night magic shenanigans, this is a pretty conventional bar, but it's a certainly better than the average Gracia drinking pit. When we paid a visit recently, the music was a funky mix of indie and electroclash, which stood out from the bland fare played in many Barna bars. This is also one of the few bars in Barcelona that has got the lighting right, rejecting the horrors of strip lighting in favour of a smattering of candles and a superbly tacky mirrorball suspended above the bar. With a similar vibe to other Gracia favourites like El Otro and Cine Bar, this is a pretty good place to start your night out in Gracia, and, being on bar-heavy Torrent de L'olla, you won't have to stagger very far to find the next bar to prop up.
Paul

Sincopa

c/Avinyo, 35 : Liceu

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This bar was opened by the local well known musician, Manu Chao. This quite possible explains two things about this abode. One, it is eclectic, in that it has musical instruments on the walls and ceilings (which are usuable with permission from the barstaff) and two, it's very down-to-earth bohemian! Assaulting you with a lively and loud ambience, this is a great place to go and liven up your night if you're wandering around the shady streets of the Gotico. Despite the obvious presence of drug dealers, prostitutes and other 'entrepeneurs of the night'. this area oozes with character and is in fact not as dangerous as it seems. Although I can't give any overwhelming reason to visit this bar, if you are in the city centre and fancy somewhere with a little more 'je ne sais pas', you could do worse than dropping in here. If you do pop in for a drink or three and it's 'not your cup of tea',at least you can say you've been to Manu Chao's drinking den (and you might just get a chance to see him)!
ZeroZero

Raval 32

Rambla de Raval 32-34 : Drassanes : Paral.lel

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The Raval area in general is little by little being polished up (ie. gentrified) so if you fancy a journey into one of the older and seedier parts of the city you could do a lot worse than to visit the main 'Rambla' where this bar is located. If a lively atmosphere, kicking tunes and comfy sofas are your bag, this place will sit comfortably in your bar visiting itinerary. Although you might be a little overwhelmed by the 'sardine can' dimensions of this locale - once you manage to fight your way to the bar and grab a handful of drinks, it's fairly comfortable as long as you can jostle your way to a table. For this reason, this is a bar to try and get to before the main rush after 12pm and most likely it's a bar to idle away your evening in. However having said that there are also many other bars in this rather bohemian local 'high' street so either way you can pass your night in to semi-oblivion in Raval 32 or for those with a sense of adventure, include it on your back street, maze like drinking crawl. Recommended for those who wanna get off the cheesy tourist track!
ZeroZero

Los Alamos

C/Escudelles 12 : Liceu/Drassanes
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There's not much to say about this long, dark, L-shaped hole-in-the-wall bar. It's purely functional rather than inspirational, but the bar staff were friendly and the beers were cheap. It's a bare-bones type of place that'll suit anyone on a budget who likes to sit and prop up the bar. If you dislike the gentrified bars in the center of town that change 30% more just for subtle lighting then this is a place for you. There's standard bar music that leans towards rock - hardly controversial, but not offensive either. If you're looking to escape the expensive fake irish pubs that are rammed with anglo tourists, then you might poke your head in here and take a look, but it's unlikely to capture you for more than one or two cheap drinks.
Karma

El Chiringuito

Barceloneta Playa : Barceloneta
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Just when you thought Barcelona couldn't get any better, you find yourself in one of the many beach bars (chiringuitos) that spread themselves thinly but firmly along the beach, starting at Barceloneta. This particular one is one of my favourites in the area, but having said that they all pretty much offer the same thing - drinks, beach views and slow service. Prices can vary from average to a little overpriced so although this is a good place for a couple of beers in ths sun, you won't necessarily find yourself implanted for the whole night. Depending on the time of day you might be treated to some upbeat, funky/dancy tunes but really this bar (and the others too) are places to unwind in the sun. Views of the beach and sea are wonderfully relaxing and will wash away all of the stresses of a hard day's snaking yourself around the city's hectic streets. There's not much else I can really say about this, except despite my comments about prices and slow service, it's all well worth it if you want to let your worries and stresses blow away into the wind!
ZeroZero

Tripode

C/Canvis Nous, 6 : Jaume I / Barceloneta
Tel. 933101084
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An impressive looking bar, slightly off the beaten track in this Bohemian part of town. Specialising in cocktails (I could have sworn the barmen was a wanna be alchemist!), very cool music and interesting camera related decor, this is a bar for those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the main, funky high street. Perch yourself on a stool or sink into the comfy, cushion adorned chairs and you'll find all of your troubles dissipate into the night (or at least until the morning!) However, like all good things in life, there is a price to pay for all this self-indulgent luxury and that's through your trusty wallet! Prices are not cheap here - 3.50 euros for a standard beer and 7 euros for a cocktail knocked down my otherwise unabounded enthusiam for this place and thus although 'technically' this is a four star bar - I can't justify giving it a rating of four as there are plenty of bars as 'cool' as this who support more regular prices. Nice bar, great for tourists and the nouveau riche (or those on a date) but not one that suits my humble kitty!
ZeroZero

Try Line

C/Diputació, 36 : Espanya / Tarragona : Rocafort
Tel. 933255192
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Although I have given this bar only a two-star rating, it's really not too bad. The problem is that there is nothing special I can say about it, and is often the case in Barcelona, there are always better bars lurking around the next corner. However, if you out-and-about in the area, this place isn't too bad if you fancy a quick drink or two. The overall decor is better than average and there's some music to add a little flavour. Prices are also cheaper than bars in the 'posher' parts of the city and it does do food to eat-in or takeaway and there is plenty of space to sit! All in all, not a great bar that I can recommend but it's average qualities are not necessarily a bad thing!
ZeroZero

La Trajinera

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 459 : Rocafort
Tel. 93 426 5394
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The Placa Espanya area isn't perhaps as well know as the Born or Gracia areas for places to go, but there are in fact quite a few bars around here that cater to the thirsty and hungry traveller. One of these is La Trajinera, which is a full on Mexican bar and restaurant. Here you'll find a full range of beers, including San Miguel and Coronita (or Corona as the anglo's know it) There's a fake moat and drawbridge entrance that opens into a small bar area that features large wooden barrels and high stools for furniture. The decor is pleasant - plenty of wood and adornments to catch your attention, but subdued enough not to annoy. Further on through and the place opens out into a surprisingly large dining area. Obviously this is a good place for margaritas and food, but you're not obliged to eat and there's enough space in the bar zone to chill out over a few beers or tequilas. Interestingly, the place is entirely smoke free - a plus or negative depending on your personal preferences. Whilst we were there a mariachi band appeared and began to regale the diners. At this point we made our excuses and left, but although perhaps slightly kitsch, it's all harmless fun and adds to the holiday atmosphere. All in all a nice place to visit if you're in the area and in need of a drink.
Karma

Margarita Blue

C/Josep Anselm Clave 6 : Drassanes
www.margaritablue.com : Tel. 93 412 5489
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The Margarita Blue is a colourful restaurant and bar with plenty of bohemian character. It attracts a mixed bunch, but especially the young and trendy, both locals and foreigners in large numbers for cocktails and Mexican food at pretty reasonable prices. Located close to El Bosc de les Fades, it's a great place to stop in for an early evening drink and that's probably the best time to come and relax. Later in the night you will find it becomes pretty crowded with tourists dressed up and ready to drink, so get there early if you want to find a free table. The design is cozy, but hip, and all the mirrors behind the bar give you the illusion that this place is larger than it really is. The atmosphere is informal, yet stylish and the staff are friendly and tolerant. All the usual beverages are available, but their specialty is cocktails - naturally, their namesake cocktail - The Margarita Blue - is a must.
Karma