Mandragor

C/ del Progrés, 38 : Diagonal
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A bar for rockers and fans of 'live' music with a surprisingly large back room where you'll find local bands playing. When you enter, it seems like a typically claustrophobic Gracian bar. The bar space is small with a dozen or so stools that line the bar itself and there's a TV playing classic rock gigs. The walls too are plastered with pictures of just about everyone famous you can think of that has made an impact on non-electronic music in the last few decades. As is usual in this area, an assortment of typical cocktails are served here and due to lack of space at the front it's very smokey (which in fact adds atmosphere and creates a slightly surreal ambience to add to the rock mix!) All-in-all, it's a great place to escape the multitude of slightly snobbier, cocktail bars in Gracia and to think there isn't a projector to be seen here!
ZeroZero

Marmalade

c/Riera Alta, 4-6 : Sant Antoni
www.marmaladebarcelona.com : Tel. 934423966
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Well, whether or not you think that this is a super-cool name for a bar or absolutely nuts, it's certainly a bar well worth checking out in the 'classier' part of the Raval neighbourhood. Featuring a plethora of cocktails, a modern and eccentric food menu and comfortable furnishings, there's little I can say to prevent you from popping in for a bite and a freshly made drink. And you'd be right to do so. I say this especially if you are lumbering around in a large group or looking for somewhere spacious to lay back in and soak up the super modern vibes here. OK, so you're asking me how much this classy, luxury is going to cost you? Well, it's not the cheapest or in fact 'seediest' bar in the area but definitely not over-priced for the luxurious ambience it'll assault you senses with. Add to this good, laid-back music and a pool table and there's really nothing you'll find lacking here. In fact it's strengths have to lie in that it has pretty much everything you'll need for a good night out with a sprinkling of extra class and panache to swirl around your cheeky little drunken heads! Just don't expect to pop in for one drink, I dare you to try...
ZeroZero

Sidecar (Factory Club)

Pl.Reial 7 : Liceu : Drassanes :
www.sidecarfactoryclub.com : Tel. 93302 586
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Reviewing this place is rather hard as Sidecar offers such a variety of events that it's difficult for me to give you a succinct summary. Basically though this is a bar/music venue with everything from live music to anti-karaoke! The particular night that I went was the latter of these and I must confess that I really didn't enjoy it at all! I found it extremely rammed with people, noisy (I guess that was to be expected really) and once I had lost my friends it was nigh-on impossible to re-group again! However being the well balanced human being I am, I would say that I thought that his place could be really great, depending on what event you go to. The bar itself was pleasant enough - although there was a little jostling going on for service so stand your ground and although there was a 7 euro entrance fee that includes a free drink, I had to pay extra for a mixer! Whilst there I surveyed a few random (and coincidentally rather attractive local girls) and didn't get much positive feedback from them either. All and all I would still recommend this place if you want to go to somewhere more interesting than 'just' a bar although checking out their website is probably a good idea as the events may or may not tickle your fancy. NB: I'd be interested in some comments on this one as I'm sure my review doesn't give this place the justice is deserves!
ZeroZero

La Vinya del Senyor

Plaça de Santa Maria 5 : Jaume
Tel. 933103379
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If you've got a little more cash to spend than usual and fancy a nice bottle of wine whilst soaking up the ambience of this rather quaint part of the Born area then this place is recommended! The concept is simple: good wine, views of the famous 'Santa Maria del Mar' church and conversation on the terrace. If that's not enough to keep the endorphins permeating through your synaptic channels, I don't know what is! In winter (i.e. the only time it will be cold here), there is a small inside bar area, but be warned it's tiny and clearly the function of this bar is to provide a somewhat classier and tranquil outside drinking experience. Not a place for lager louts or those with small, moth infected, barely utilised wallets!
ZeroZero

Paddy's Lane

Plaça del Palau : Barceloneta
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In the unlikely (well, let's say hypothetical) event that a psychiatrist, in the midst of a word association game, were to say the name of this bar to me, I would probably instinctively blurt out "boring" or "dull" or perhaps even "meh", such is the crude nature of the subconscious. My conscious mind, however, would surely strive to be much more kind and point out the few good points that this otherwise bog-standard pub possesses. First of all, it's pretty much the only Irish pub in central Born so it has a local monopoly on Guinness, cider and Irish music. Secondly, it's one of the few Irish pubs in town with an outdoor terrace - and in these sweltering summer months what could be more appealing than a lovely pint of refreshing cider al fresco? Third, the terrace is situated in a square overlooked by a proud building which is the spitting image of the Hill Valley clock tower in Back To The Future, which to me is a bonus, albeit a slight one. If these three dynamite factors are not enough to have you right now hailing a cab in Paddy's Lane's direction, there is yet a fourth reason: the pub is next door to a terrific Italian restaurant called Al Passatore, which compensates for its occasionally dopey staff with great value Italian grub. In fact, if it's lunchtime, why go to Paddy's Lane and pay 5 euros for one beer, when you could pay 6.90 at Al Passatore and have 2 glasses of wine, a starter, a main course, a dessert, a basket of bread and a coffee. You do the math.
Sss.
Paul

De Copas

C/Bruniquer, 65 : Joanic
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OK, so some reviews are easier to write than others as sometimes you wander into a bar and immediately get a feeling of either 'I'm digging the vibes here!' or 'this place sucks!'. In this case I had neither of those sensations, more of a 'this place isn't bad but nor is it anything special!'. At first glance your eyeballs are assaulted by the neon, American style decor and once they've adjusted to the light settings, you'll find yourself sitting at the bar wondering if you've ever witnessed such a plethora of Coca cola memorabilia in your life. Anyway we can probably say in conclusion that its general theme is that of trying to mimic a rather stagnant stereotype of a typical American bar! To back up this claim, there's a pinball machine, Budweiser on tap, and inflatable bottles of various beers hanging from the ceiling. The best thing however is the Pool room which has plenty of space to manipulate your cue and also a foosball table if you tire of that.
The music here wasn't too bad, a mixture of 90s and R'n'B and the general impression I got from this place is that it's a bar for local 20-30 year olds - probably single or at least open minded enough to be seeking a superior replacement for their disintegrating current love affair! All in all it's a pleasant enough place but not really much in comparison to the Mecca of arty and street furnish inspired bars that are spreading through Gracia like a virus!
ZeroZero