Best Bars in Barcelona

Upscale wine bar and restaurant in the heart of the Eixample, Monvinic is for wine lovers and foodies. Featuring a selection of international and Spanish high quality wines, every day they open a selection of thirty wines from around the world, all available for wine tastings or to drink with mouth watering tapas, cheese and cavier dishes. This is a bar and restaurant, however it often serves as a bar and lounge especially during happy hour on the weekdays. Attracting a more upscale and business crowd, Monvinic is an ideal locale if you're looking to impress, or discover delectable new wines from around the world.

You can't get more authentically Barcelona than Quimet Quimet. Delicious tapas served in a tiny locale where you have to push your way to the counter in order to be heard. Once you're served however, you'll realize that it was definitely worth the 'struggle'. Mouth watering, cheese, wine and cavier dishes make this a rustic yet somehow classy joint. Located in Poble Sec, the city's fastest up and coming neighborhood, once you're finished dining and drinking at Quimet Quimet, take a short stroll to 41 Degrees (Ferran Adria's newest creation) for late night cocktails, surrounded by trendy people and delicious, innovative drinks.

Excellent wine bar in the heart of the city, La Vinya Del Senyor gives way onto the beautiful Santa Maria Del Mar Church and has a wide range of national and international wines. They also have a few snacks including delicious cheeses and olives and a great outdoor patio. Their upstairs is small with a few tables but it overlooks the church and all of the people eating at its doorstep. Be sure to check out their patio during the summer as it sits directly in front of the Church steps and is a nice way to spend an afternoon.

An elegant, boutique wine shop, smack in the city center with a diverse and eclectic mix of Spanish as well as international wines. Check out their very cheap Catas (wine tastings) every Friday evening, where you can also order a bit of pica pica (food) with your vino. Spain's wines are world-renowned, from the Rioja to Ribera Del Duero to the Penedes regions, there is never a shortage of delicious wines from which to choose and this quaint wine shop has an excellent selection in a chic yet unassuming atmosphere. Be sure to ask for a private wine tasting or to join a group every day after 6pm.

Romantic, intimate and cozy, this dimly lit wine and tapas bar is tucked away on one of the Gothic Quarters' many side streets. Ideal for dates or a few drinks with friends, it's owned by a Canadian and the service is top notch and so is the food. The bar has a great selection of comfy couches and tables and ideal for groups of friends who want a large space with little interruption. Andu's wine list is also quite extensive and includes dessert wines as well as a few international bottles. Their food is limited to tapas but their cheese plate is quite yummy.

Late in the 1940s, this little bar was opened by two men, Carme Pericás and Quime Ballester. In tribute to the French cabaret singer Edith Piaf, this bar plays only French music and serves only pastís. You can hear live music Sunday through Thursday evenings around eleven. This unique bar is full of character and although it's 'very French' it's still a true reflection of an authentic Barcelona Bar. Situated in the Raval neighborhood, Bar Pastis has a mostly local clientele, yet is greatly appealing to tourists, who are of course always welcome so join for some Pastis and enjoy a bit of live music.

For business people looking for an evening of cocktails and networking, Zsa Zsa is an excellent choice. The bar is dimly lit with constantly changing lighting and is a funky and vibrant bar, created in the 90's. It won the interior design award in 1994 and has since become a staple and model for which other bars wish to copy. Zsa Zsa is a mix of sophistication and class combined with an unassuming vibe, ideal for the first drink of the night or for spending a few hours chatting with friends and dancing until you drop. It's situated in the Eixample neighborhood.

With its hanging disco ball, plush leather seats and wooden tables, many Ginger fans have coined this trendy wine and cocktail bar as an 'airport lounge'. It is however, rather known for it's innovative cocktails, wide selection of amazing wine and high quality tapas. This is a Barcelona gem, ideal for weekend adventures, intimate drinks and lively evenings on the town. Ginger is nestled behind Plaza Sant Jaume, in Plaza San Jus a little hard to find if you don't know where to look, but once you stumble upon it you'll be sure to mark the spot and keep on coming back for more.

The Xampanyet champagne at this popular nightspot is renowned. Anchovies and other tapas are also available for your dining delight and are a perfect complement to the well-mixed drinks. Situated near the Museu Picasso, El Xampanyet is a classic Barcelona staple; rustic tables, 'greasy' authentic tapas and a variety of Spanish wines, it's a fantastic experience for locals looking to get a genuine feel for the the city's bar and tapas scene. Xampanyet's tables are small and the bar itself is fairly narrow, so if you're going with a large group be sure to make reservations in advance; in order to avoid lines.

Belchica Bar specializes in Belgian beer and is ideal for Belgians, expats and locals alike, looking for delicious artisan beer. With its modern interior, it has a purple hue which adds to the dark and intimate setting. Some of their signature beers include Rochefort, Orval, Tripel karmeliet, Chimay, Westmalle and Val Dieu Tripel. Even if you're not into Belgian brews, try their Irish Stouts and their bottled American beers. With over 40 different bottles and four on tap, Belchica Bar has an excellent selection. They also feature Belgian and Spanish tapas which are delicious and are a mixture of greasy spoon and gastro.