Authentic Barcelona Flamenco Shows
WHERE TO SEE THE BEST FLAMENCO SHOWS IN BARCELONA
Most people will tell you that if you are in Spain, you shouldn’t miss a flamenco show. However… Flamenco is not a Catalan tradition, and that’s why many believe that Barcelona is not the place to go for that. Well, the truth is that since we have a lot of Andalucia immigrants living here, we happen to have some of the best flamenco artists in Spain here!
The best place to watch flamenco in Barcelona is one of these:
1
Tablao de Carmen
One of the famous Barcelona flamenco shows, named after the famous dancer Carmen Amaya who used to perform there. It is located inside the Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol) in Montjuïc, and since you get a free entrance with your reservation it is a good excuse to visit it.
The Tablao was created in 1929 for the World Fair of Barcelona, replicating the atmosphere of an Andalusian house. And while to a Barcelonan like me it feels weird to have such a setting in our very Catalan city, it is true that the pass of time it has given it an authentic spirit.
The room where the stage is located is small, so you get to be very close to the performers, almost sharing their passion and vibration. The downside is that it’s far from the city center and you need taxis to get there.
LOCATION: Montjuic Hill.
DINNER OPTIONS: Yes (optional).
Read reviews and book it here.
2
Tablao Cordobés
A favorite for our Barcelona Flamenco Evening & Tapas Tour, it offers a dinner + show or a drink + show options. The food isn’t specially great, but in exchange you are given a better table where you are much closer to the show (and you need to take into account that the closer you are the more you will enjoy it).
LOCATION: Bottom of La Rambla, near Port Vell.
DINNER OPTIONS: Yes (optional).
Read reviews and book it here.
3
Palacio del Flamenco
PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
This is one of the newest venues that was been added to the offer of flamenco shows in Barcelona. It is located near Passeig de Gràcia, so it is very convenient if you are staying in the Eixample district.
It is a large theater with room for up to 320 people (what makes it an ideal option if you are travelling with your extended family or a large group of friends. But as opposed to Tablao de Carmen or El Cordobés, you’ll have less options of being close to the stage.
As a result, if feels more like attending a show in a theater than sneaking into a flamenco party. But one of their strenghts is the variety of shows and schedules available.
LOCATION: Bottom of La Rambla, near Port Vell.DINNER OPTIONS: Yes (optional).Read reviews and book it here.
4
Tarantos
They claim to be the oldest Tablao in Barcelona, active since 1963 (while the venue of Tablao de Carmen was built in 1929, it didn’t open as a flamenco show venue until the 1990’s). This tablao feels more like being in a jazz club or something like that, instead of trying to emulate a gypsy setting.
Music is their strength – dancing is secondary in their shows. And actually, they usually don’t go for “pretty choreographies”, but prefer to feature artists prone to improvisation. It is also a more affordable option, than the other options I’ve given you so far.
LOCATION: Plaça Reial next to La Rambla, between the Gothic Quarter and Port Vell.
DINNER OPTIONS: No.
Read reviews and book it here.
5
Palau de la Música Catalana
The most beautiful concert hall in Barcelona also programs flamenco shows regularly. It’s a large theater setting where you’ll be far from the dancers and guitar players, but the spectacular location pays it. Gorgeous stained glasses, sculptures and mosaics, plus high quality flamenco shows.
It’s a favorite flamenco show in Barcelona not just for the performance itself but because you get to visit one of the jewels of Catalan Modernism at the same time. Killing two birds with one stone!
LOCATION: Sant Pere neighborhood (top of Born), close to Plaça Catalunya and walking distance from Passeig de Gracia and the Gothic Quarter.
DINNER OPTIONS: No.
Flamenco Show | Spanish Guitar concerts
6
Opera and Flamenco
You might be tempted of considering it sort of “commercial”, but it’s certainly a very friendly option if you are not so familiar with flamenco music. The company doesn’t run their own tablao: they use a variety of locations in the old town (going from churches to theaters, depending on the season) for their performances.
LOCATION: Various locations accross the Old Town (Rambla, Gothic Quarter or Born).
DINNER OPTIONS: No.
Read reviews and book it here.
7
Palau Dalmases
Palau Dalmases is a beautiful baroque mansion with a scenic patio and a medieval room where they organize private events, opera concerts… and flamenco shows. And they have an atmospheric cocktail bar as well.
They program small format shows with local stablished artists, both dancers and musicians. And the location and closeness to the performers creates a very intimate feel.
LOCATION: Born district, very close to the Picasso Museum.
DINNER OPTIONS: No.
Read reviews and book it here.
8
El Patio Andaluz
I’m not too fond of the location, though. The size of the tablao is smaller than a theater but bigger than the Tablaos we’ve discussed so far. It is decorated to look like an Andalusian patio, but unfortunately it has a certain fake feel.
LOCATION: Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample, near Sants Station.
DINNER OPTIONS: Yes (optional).
Read reviews and book it here.
More flamenco concerts in Barcelona
9
Robadors 23
This night bar open in 2004 specializes in live music. They program a concert every night, each day of the week dedicated to a different type of music, including flamenco but also jazz, rock, indie, funk… A small intimate tablao that attracts local music lovers and bohemian travelers who aren’t scared of dark neighborhoods.
Don’t expect to see flamenco dancers: this is all about good music… and some drinks. Their concert calendar is online only about 1o days ahead. Tickets are only sold at the venue.
LOCATION: Heart of the Raval District. Beware of hookers, drug dealers and pickpockets in the area.
DINNER OPTIONS: No.
Check their calendar here.
10
Jazz Sí Club
Again, here it’s all about music – dancing is not guaranteed. And don’t be suspicious of the artists being “students”: the quality of the musicians performing in JazzSí is flawless. Many great artists have come from Taller de Músics.
LOCATION: Raval District, very close to Sant Antoni, in a safer area than Robardors 23 (as long as you don’t venture much further away).
DINNER OPTIONS: No.
Check their calendar here.
11
Festival de Cajón
Are you in Barcelona October through December? Then you might be hitting some concert of the Barcelona Flamenco Festival: De Cajón. A “cajon” is a percussion instrument used in Flamenco music that looks like a wooden box.
The festival features big names of the Flamenco scene: Dorantes, Antonio Carmona, Estrella Morente, Tomatito… It’s a great opportunity to see the best of the best flamenco musicians – although not always acompanied of flamenco dancers.
LOCATION: Different venues around the city.
DINNER OPTIONS: No.
Check their calendar here.
Barcelona Flamenco Bars
12
Quillo Bar
LOCATION: Sant Pere Neighborhood in El Born, close to the Arch of Triumph.
DINNER OPTIONS: Yes.
See reviews and book a table.
13
Los Juanele
In April Andalucia celebrates the Feria de Abril. In each city, people sets up “casetas“, tents were people gathers to eat tapas and dance sevillanas (a flamenco style with a certain dance routine that all Andalusians know by heart).
Entering Los Juanele feels like entering one of those casetas. There’s Flamenco and bullfight posters in the walls, they serve tapas and wine, there’s flamenco music in the background (recorded, not live), and every once in a while the clients will get up and improvise a dance.
It’s definitely an authentic experience to live! And if you aren’t scared of making yourself a fool, you can join their sevillanas lessons taking place every Thursday evening. Don’t mind the sign saying it’s only for members: it’s not true anymore.
LOCATION: Sant Antoni District, very close to El Raval and Poble Sec.
DINNER OPTIONS: Yes.
See reviews.
14
Bar Leo
The owner of this bar is Ms. Leocadia Montes, but everyone calls her La Leo. Leo and her sons run this bar that pays tribute to Bambino (a famous Sevilla cantaor really called Miguel Vargas Jiménez), a good friend of Leo.
There’s no live music, but there’s always recorded flamenco and rumba music in the background. It’s a place to feel the Flamenco lifestyle, and to approach with respect and low expectations. Ms. Leo has worked hard all of her life in this humble neighborhood bar that seems anchored in the past.
LOCATION: Heart of the Barceloneta District.
DINNER OPTIONS: Yes. A simple tapas menu of homemade dishes but far from gourmet.
See reviews.
Are you planning to attend any flamenco dance shows in Barcelona?
Marta
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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According to our guide and Flamenco dancer Maria Carretero, Barcelona is one of the best places in Spain to attend a good "Juerga Flamenca"… her favorite: Tablao Cordovés.
According to our guide and Flamenco dancer Maria Carretero, Barcelona is one of the best places in Spain to attend a good "Juerga Flamenca"… her favorite: Tablao Cordobés.
Thanks for the list as i will be visiting in the coming months 🙂
I have seen two shows – one in Palau de la Musica which must be the ultimate place to see a flamenco show in those surroundings anothor good place is in Las Arenas. I recommend Palau and if it does not have a show the weekend your in Barcelona then try the other place they have daily shows.
I have seen a couple shows: the Palau is beautiful, but really big and I could hardly see any of the footwork. I really like the show in La Bodega Flamenca, a small intimate place, very Andalucian style. The food is great too!
We haven’t been there yet, we’ll check it out!