Dunnes Irish Bar

Dunnes is a relatively new, spacious Irish sports bar / pub in the center of town on Via Laientana - literally only a stones throw away from the Jaume I metro. The pub is well laid out with two bars and plenty of seating - all done in a brick and wood decor with the building's steel beams giving it a slightly different look. It's nice to see the owners haven't gone overboard on the Irish pub theme, with just a single comedy signpost with directions to Derry, Dublin & Donegal. Non-smokers especially will enjoy the high ceilings and decent air-con that keeps the place fresh and cool. The young mixed crowd gives the bar a lively, but not intimidating atmosphere - mostly tourists, but with some local suits in the week. There are plenty of wide screen TVs strategically placed for sport fans, plus a projection screen (one slight niggle though: the projector doesn't seem to show wide screen correctly - chopping off the action at the edges) Prices for drinks are what you'd expect in town - not cheap, but not outrageous either. As for food, check out their website for a full menu - the burgers and stew are recommended.

Bar Pepino

The Pepino is the definition of a hip, trendy bar which makes the most of its space with cool design and lighting. The style is a laid back, indie retro lounge with an upstairs restaurant area that offers mediterranean fusion. Unbelievably, there is also a small dance floor slightly below the main bar area. Depending on the night, the music ranges from dance, electronica, DJ to indie rock alternative beats. The decor is interestingly themed with crash test dummies and old monitors in the bar area (a nod to Max Headroom, perhaps?) and pleasant wood furnishings elsewhere. Check out their Facebook page for more photo's and announcements. The cocktails here are excellent and reasonably priced, making this place a popular lounge - be prepared to squeeze in if you arrive after 11pm. Either as a tourist or a local, if you want something different from the generic tourist spots in town, head down to Pepino and enjoy the eclectic!

Bar Avesta

It's probably fair to say that Zoroastrian themed bars are few and far between, but one can be found in the streets of El Gotico in Barcelona. Bar Avesta is a snug little place with a wine cellar like ambience. The bar is small but super cool, with a rustic atmosphere and good, quiet vibes. This is a great place for couples, but best avoided by large groups or anyone over 6' tall. The beamed ceilings are very low, but this does add to the feeling that you're stepping back in time to a more antique era. Ask to see the chupitos menu and enjoy a grand selection of interesting, quality shots - none of your cheap tequila or ouzo here - and at €1.50 a pop they are an affordable way to get your evening jump-started! The famous "leche de pantera" is also available here - a drink of milk, gin, rum, Cointreau, peppermint and cinnamon that is lethally strong.

Scobies

Your intrepid drinkBarcelona reviewer recently found himself sheltering in Scobies from a torrential downpour. Any port in a storm, as they say, but what a port Scobies is! A better place to sit out thunder and lightning must be hard to find in the center of town. Scobies is a simple, open and spacious pub with plenty of seating, both around the bar itself and further back where there's room for larger groups. A couple of big TVs are placed strategically in the center of the pub to cater for the sport loving customer. Music is classic rock & pop that's set at an entertaining level that encourages conversation. According to the website, there's live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Overall the ambiance hits a good balance and works for both couples and larger groups who want to socialise rather than be entertained by TVs and loud music. That said, Scobies isn't a quiet pub (unless, like me, you dive in there at 7pm to avoid the rain) and it gets busy come 10pm on the weekend - the extra crowds of people being a good mix of locals, ex-pats and tourists from around Europe. Scobies is Irish owned and run, with very friendly and conversational staff - it's a proper pub, through and through. Like Obama just round the corner, Scobies is perfectly placed, being close to three metros and Plaça Catalunya. However, you won't need to take out a second mortgage on your house in order to drink a few pints of Guinness (or whatever your tipple happens to be). At under €5 for a pint of the black stuff, Scobies offers excellent value in these harder times. And it's a good pint of proper Irish Guinness - since the closing of The Celtic Cross, Scobies is now my #1 recommendation for a top pint. If you're in the center of town and you fancy a decent pint in a good pub then put a visit to Scobies on your list - highly recommended!

The Shamrock

There are many Irish pubs in Barcelona - most seem to have settled on C/Ferran - but like all popular holiday destinations, the best places are usually to be found tucked away and slightly hidden from the casual tourist's view. So it is with The Shamrock - not as large as The George Payne, nor as central as The Temple Bar, but friendly and they serve a good pint of Guiness. Less plastic than some pubs these days, this place will suit you if you like your drinking establishments to be down to earth - i.e. in the business of selling decent drinks in a condusive atmosphere, rather than attempting to be an entertainment center. Now, that said, no pub would be complete without the ability to show all the usual sporting fare - and the Shamrock excels in this regard with a large projection TV for footy, rugby, Gaelic & American football. Darts and pool are available for those who want to participate as well as spectate. There's good pub food available too, with English & Irish breakfasts, burgers, steak & kidney pies, sandwiches, etc. The Shamrock is a small and friendly place that's popular, but not overly so - you can normally find a place to relax with your friends - but be certain to double check the byzantine opening times. In short, worth checking out and could become a favourite if it's your kind of place.

Las Cuevas del Sorte

C/Gignas 2 : Barceloneta : Drassanes
Facebook Group
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The cute wooden door leads to... a beautiful den of soft lights, great cocktails and of course, a cave! Started and run by Jack, a very friendly American, and his wife - they wanted a great place with great cocktails and the right atmosphere - and they did it. Mostly redone by Jack himself, it boasts a small upstairs bar and a larger bar downstairs in the main cave. This could be Gaudi's basement, with blue glass tile all along one wall and curved shapes wherever possible. The selection of cocktails is excellent and perfect for groups of 4/5 people, and this bar can always accommodate more. Halloween is a big event here, with all the clients and staff turning up in dress and a free shot for you if you join them! Little details really make it special: place mats are deck cards, candles on the wall, etc. It's just an eternal favourite amongst anyone who has ever been there.
adventureMAN

The Pink Elephant

C/ Villarroel 82 : Urgell
www.pinkelephantlounge.com : Tel. 935 024 825
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Zero Zero and I stumbled across this superior establishment whilst seeking new inspiration in and around the Eixample Izquierda barrio, to the west of Plaça Catalunya. Whilst 7Sins and Belchica are both good picks for this area, we decided to see what else was around. The Pink Elephant is really a high quality restaurant, but it also has a lounge area with a full wine and cocktail menu. Owned by a New Yorker and Catalan, it apparently opened in 2008, and has been very tastefully done, with an elegant decor and an eclectic mix of music playing softly in the background. Although the lounge and restaurant are clearly aimed at the classier end of the market, the staff were perfectly friendly, accommodating and attentive, which helps one marinate in the pleasant surroundings. In addition, the drinks were of high quality and not outrageously priced. This lounge is not really suitable for groups though - it's a setting that's perfect for romantic couples or drinks / dinners with close friends. Check the rather good website for full cocktail and menu list, plus plenty of pictures of the interior.
Karma