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Fruity cocktail in a Barcelona cocktail bar

Discover The Best Barcelona Cocktail Bars

BEST COCKTAIL BARS IN BARCELONA​​

There are many cocktail bars in Barcelona, but some of them are definitely better than others… And it’s such a pity to arrive to a place where you were expecting to have a fun evening, just to realize that you’ll have to wander around an unknown city and try to find a better place… But it doesn’t have to happen: In this post will give you our best recommendations, so you can choose your favorite cocktail bar by specialty, style and more.

This last years Barcelona has become a huge cocktail destination, in direct competition with cities such as London or New York, and while there’s great bars scattered around the city, there’s certain areas that concentrate a larger amount of them. The Eixample district, in special the Esquerra de l’Eixample (its left side) is the craddle of the classic venues where the history of high end cocktails in Barcelona started. Then the Old Town offers a mix of historical bars and creative drink bars – most of them in the Born District. In this post we’ve also added a small block about the Uptown Barcelona, in case you feel like going a bit more off the beaten path. Cheers!

Top cocktail bars in Barcelona Old Town

1

Boadas

Boadas serves some of the best cocktails in Barcelona, Spain

The oldest cocktail bar in Barcelona was open in 1927 by Miguel Boadas, and owned by the same family until 2022, when the owner retired and two renowned barmen took over to preserve history. Almost around the corner from La Rambla, you would never thing that behind that humble door hides such an old-fashioned  cocktail bar that will remind you of La Habana and the Hollywood of the 1920s. The barman will be your best friend when it comes to recommendations.

LOCATION: Las Ramblas
STYLE: Classic.
WHAT TO ORDER: Sofia, a rum and red Martini drink inspired in the Italian actress Sofia Loren.
See reviews >>

2

Marsella

Another classic, founded in 1820 and considered the oldest drink bar in town. Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Ernest Hemingway were some of its famous patrons in the old times, when absynthe, the green fairy, was in fashion. They continue to serve it with a sugar cube imbibed in liquor that is set in fire.

LOCATION: El Raval
STYLE: Bohemian classic.
WHAT TO ORDER: Absynthe. 
See reviews >>

3

Two Schmucks

Ranked the 7th best cocktail bar in the world in 2022, it's famous for their creativity. The former chef Juliette Larrouy took over as barmaid and introduced an ingredient-inspired drink list inspired with plenty of surprising savory touches, but still incorporating some of the old classics. They also serve comfort food, and it has a party athmosphere.
TAKE ONE OF OUR PRIVATE SITGES WINE TOURS

LOCATION: Gothic Quarter
STYLE: Irreverent hispter-punk.
WHAT TO ORDER: Pinapple Pizza Cocktail (come on! where else are you ever going to try something like this?)
See reviews >>

4

Paradiso

This multi-awarded speak-easy won the prize to the BEST BAR IN THE WORLD in 2022. It was the first time in history that it wasn’t won by a bar from an English-speaking country . So there’s no excuse to miss it! Unless. you can’t find the way in. But we get you covered: the entrance is through a fake refrigerator in the Smoked House pastrami bar. Paradiso has everything: creative drinks from a list that changes yearly and incorporates mind-blowing mise-en-places, a small menu with inspiring foods to go with your drinks, and a green philosophy.

LOCATION: El Born
STYLE: Modern.
WHAT TO ORDER: Onfire.
See reviews >>

5

Dr. Stravinsky

How can the words vintage and laboratory go together? This cocktail bar owned by the same group to which belongs Paradiso shows it's possible... The venue is an old grocery shop from the 1970's turned into a state-of-the-art cocktail lab. One of their specialties are fermented drinks: they prepare their own kombucha and kefir, that make part of some of their top cocktail creations. Dr. Stravinsky is regularly featured in the top 50 best bars of the world awards.
COME TO THE WINE COUNTRY WITH US

LOCATION: El Born
STYLE: Vintage creative.
WHAT TO ORDER: Camp Nou.
See reviews >>

6

Mariposa Negra

This bar is inspired in a book featuring a Barcelona doctor obsessed about overcoming death thanks to an elixir of his own creation based on black butterflies blood. Might sound creepy, but it fits the philosophy and decor of this bar. Creativity is everything here. Even the glasses are specifically designed for each particular drink and 3D printed in-house. Chosen the #5 coolest bar in the world.

LOCATION: El Born
STYLE: Bohemian.
WHAT TO ORDER: Melancolico.
See reviews >>

7

Collage Cocktail Bar

This cocktail bar with friendly athmosphere is the rum specialist in town, with over 200 references on their list. The decoration was hand-picked by the owners from thrift stores and flea markets until they reached the perfect look for their bar. Their cocktails are creative recipes that change twice a year, and that on Mondays attract the bartenders of the area after their own bars close.
BEST WINE & TAPAS WITH US

LOCATION: El Born
STYLE: Artsy vintage.
WHAT TO ORDER: Lil’ Zombie.
See reviews >>

8

Dux

And here is a bar for Gin lovers, where they serve homemade infused gins and both classic and author craft cocktails. The venue has a London or NYC feel, with their elegant piano and live music program. 

LOCATION: El Born
STYLE: Informal vintage.
WHAT TO ORDER: Dux Bathtub Gin.
See reviews >>

Best Barcelona Eixample Cocktail Bars

9

Dry Martini

This classical Barcelona cocktail bar opened in 1978, but it is still at the top of the rankings. It has won several international awards, and it is considered to be one of the 5 best cocktail bars not just in Barcelona but in the whole world. The barman Javier de las Muelas is more than a celebrity here,  he is a legend in the history of Barcelona cocktail bars. Needless to say, trying their dry martini is a must here.
PRIVATE SAGRADA FAMILIA TAPAS TOUR

LOCATION: Esquerra de l’Eixample
STYLE: Classic old school.
WHAT TO ORDER: Dry Martini.
See reviews >>

10

Ideal Cocktail Bar

Opened in 1931, this cocktail bar was founded by the Gotarda family, now on its first generation of owners, with the idea of emulating  the finest British bars, and its classical decor has been preserved to our times. With Pina Colada made with coconut milk imported directly from Puerto Rico, and an award winner mojito recipe, local still came to this cocktail bar to try their  gin&tonic, which is the latest trend in Barcelona.

LOCATION: Esquerra de l’Eixample
STYLE: British classic.
WHAT TO ORDER: Mojito.
See reviews >>

11

Sips

In 2023 it replaced Paradiso from the #1 BEST BAR IN THE WORLD. A temple of mixology, this cocktail bar is the equivalent to Michelin restaurants in the drinks world. You'll even find here a cocktail tasting menu! And it doesn't look much like a bar either, as they've eliminated the counter to generate a closer contact between the bartender and the client. So they call themselves a "Drinkery House", rather than a bar.
COME ON A PRIVATE BARCELONA FOOD TOUR

LOCATION: Esquerra de l’Eixample
STYLE: Smart casual.
WHAT TO ORDER: Primordial.
See reviews >>

12

Solange Cocktails & Luxury Spirits

Named after one of James Bonds girfriends in Casino Royale, this is the exact place where you’d expect to hear the voice of of your favorite 007 saying “Shaken, not stirred”. You’ll find here classic cocktails and an extensive list of single malt scotch wisky, in a luxuriously tasteful ambiance.

LOCATION: Esquerra de l’Eixample
STYLE: Distinguished classic.
WHAT TO ORDER: Ashita.
See reviews >>

Fun Uptown Barcelona Cocktail Bars

13

Gimlet

Head now to the uptown Santaló area off the beaten path, to find the first cocktail bar that Javier de las Muelas opened in town. Being further from the city center, you won’t be finding there as many tourist as in other central cocktail bars in Barcelona. An added bonus is their outdoors terrace, open when the weather is good. Philip Marlowe would feel at home here.
WE ALSO HAVE A TARRAGONA WINERY TOUR

LOCATION: Sant Gervasi
STYLE: Smart casual.
WHAT TO ORDER: Gimlet (isn’t it obvious?).
See reviews and book  a table>>

14

14 de la Rosa

A cocktail bar where you can find classic drinks made with the best ingredients and without unnecessary flashy touches. You can also order high quality specialty coffee or a glass of vermouth or natural wine. A perfect place for daytime drinkers! The name of the bar helps you find it: it’s on #14 of Martinez de la Rosa street!

LOCATION: Gracia
STYLE: French vintage.
WHAT TO ORDER: The Mexican.
See reviews >>

15

The Original Old Fashioned Bourbon & Rye Cocktail House

Classy, but not snobby. Come here for affordable classics and fun creative mixes. There'll be jazz music playing in the background, and expert bartenders ready to concoct your favorite poison. And if you are hungry, they also have a lovely selection of tapas.
AND WHAT ABOUT A MONTSERRAT AND WINE TOUR?

LOCATION: Gracia
STYLE: Hipster classic.
WHAT TO ORDER: Queen Elizabeth Old Fashioned.
See reviews >>

And for not so fancy drink bars and cocktail bars in Barcelona, check out this other blogpost.

What’s your favorite cocktail bar in Barcelona?​​

Marta

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Author Marta Laurent Veciana

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Marta is the founder of ForeverBarcelona. She is a passionate tour guide that loves Barcelona and loves writing too. She is the main author of our Blog, and is committed to sharing her knowledge about Barcelona and her best tips with our readers.

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