The Bar Scene in Barcelona
L'Eixample
The bars and clubs of L'Eixample tend to attract a slightly more mixed age group than those of the Old City, and more of a classic nature. They are also more spread out, so you may find yourself hopping in and out of cabs if you plan to barhop.
Gràcia
Alhough the area is filled with small squares and hidden corners, the center of the Gràcia world is Plaça del Sol. In the summer, it's the best place to head to meet young Catalans and to watch people on their way to party. Just as many take their own cans of beer as buy from the bars around the square—the atmosphere is noisy and fun and drives the neighbors mad.
Barrio Alto
Barrio Alto is sometimes seen as a world of its own. Here is where all the rich families live, in houses no less (something unheard of down in the city), and many of them never leave their enclave. The same applies to going out—rich kids aplenty, alongside some normal types—flood the area. The main bars and clubs are concentrated around a street called Marie Cubí, around 10 minutes' walk from the nearest metro stops of María Cristina and Les Corts or FGC suburban line stations such as Gràcia. They're all very quiet during the week, though.
Champagne Bars in Barcelona
The Catalans call their own version of sparkling wine cava and it comes from the nearby Penedès region. In Catalan, champagne bars are called xampanyerias. With more than 50 Catalan companies producing cava, and each bottling up to a dozen grades of wine, the best way to learn about Catalan "champagne" is to sample the products at a xampanyeria.
Champagne bars usually open at 7pm and stay open until midnight or later. They serve a small range of tapas, from caviar to smoked fish to frozen chocolate truffles. The traditional local time to go is on a Sunday afternoon, when entire families will have a pre-lunch sip. Most establishments sell only a limited array of house cavas by the glass, and more esoteric varieties by the bottle. You'll be offered a choice of brut (slightly sweeter), brut nature, or rosat (rosé, or pink champagne).
Best Rooftop Bars in Barcelona
It’s a favorite Barcelona pastime to chill out on a roof terrace and marvel at the view, drink in hand. Nearly every hotel has one, and non-residents can access some special places—but you’ll need to book ahead. Here are our top picks.
La Dolce Vitae at The Majestic—The terrace at this grand old Eixample institution is a sophisticated spot for rooftop tapas, with an adventurous menu by chef Nandu Jabany and a fine wine selection. Views feature La Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló, with chilled DJ sounds in summer. Passeig de Gràcia, 68.. tel. 93-488-17-17.
The Roof at Barcelona EDITION—Ten stories above El Born, this ultra-cool terrace draws a fashionable crowd with craft cocktails and Asian street food. One side faces the sea, while the other offers glorious mountain sunsets. In winter, the glassed-in bar guarantees great views even when there’s a chill in the air. Av. de Francesc Cambó, 14. tel. 93-626-33-30.
Rooftop at Ohla—The spacious eighth-floor terraces at Ohla have vistas of every part of the city, but it’s the sunset—and the delicious sundowners—that most attract a mix of locals and visitors. There are DJ sets, light shows, and regular fashion events too. Via Laietana, 49. . tel. 93-341-50-50.
Terraza de Vivi at Kimpton Vividora—This rooftop is especially popular during the daytime thanks to the daily brunch with “free flow” mimosas and Bloody Marys (noon‒4pm). Views take in the nearby cathedral and rooftops of the Gothic Quarter, continuing all the way to the sea. Carrer del Duc, 15; tel. 90-097-31-22.
Tope at Hoxton Poblenou—While many hotel rooftops have views of La Sagrada Familia, this one in trendy Poblenou offers views of the sun setting behind the basilica—an awesome spectacle. Tacos, tasty cocktails, and a beach-bar vibe make it a hit with local hipsters. Av. Diagonal, 205. tel. 93-271-76-60.