The Ultimate 2014 Barcelona Cocktail Route by b-guided
This is the first of a series of posts from our guest blogger and partner b-guided, a comprehensive and hype guide to Barcelona in English and Spanish with great information and tips about art, design, fashion, food & drink and entertainment.
Barcelona is in a constant state of reinvention when it comes to its gastronomic, bar and night club offering. The recent ascendancy of the Gin&Tonic or the ‘Afterwork’ are symptomatic of the hectic cocktail bar scene here in the city with new openings happening regularly, sometimes combined with a restaurant (Ajoblanco, Pepito, etc.) or sometimes stand alone (Mary Boone, Ministry of Cocktails, etc.). Here we present our selection of the best recently opened cocktail bars in the city.
- Mary Boone
C/ Valencia, 194 (Eixample) | www.maryboonebar.com
A cocktail bar that is inspired by the apartment of an art loving fictitious character. El interiorismo lo firma Recdi8, especialistas en proyectos de interiorismo a medida. The décor is everything a sophisticated city centre cocktail bar should be; filled with art works, luxurious finishes, tenuous lighting and comfortable seating. The creative cocktails are inspired by renowned artists, such as the Francis Bacon, Sindy Sherman and Jeff Koons. Live Dj, an excellent option for kicking off or continuing the evening within the Eixample Izquierda neighbourhood (left side of the example).
- Ajoblanco
C/ Tuset 20-22 (Sarrià) | t. + 93 667 87 66 | www.ajobancorestaurante.com
Restaurant and cocktail bar which first opened earlier this year on the effervescent C/ Tuset which is traditionally one of Barcelona’s most vibrant night life zones. The interior design is by Lázaro Rosa-Violan with the cocktail bar located right at the entrance. The offering is based on a menu of 16 traditional and contemporary classics (including 6 aperitifs) where the base ingredient always takes precedent (Mojitos, Caipirinhas, Margaritas and Daiquiris) as well as a range of Vodka & Tonics featuring infused ingredients.
- Pepito
Pasaje Domingo, 3 bis (Eixample) | t. + 93 2506 725 | www.pepitorestaurante.com
A very stylish restaurant and cocktail bar located adjacent to the Hyde Club on Pasaje de Domingo right at the epicentre of Barcelona’s Eixample neighbourhood. The décor is lounge with a spectacular cocktail bar counter. The cocktails are made from premier quality and fresh ingredients with both creative and classic options.
- The Market Barcelona
Gran de Gràcia, 7 (Gràcia) | t. + 34 93 186 4200 /+ 34 93 186 4200 | www.themarketbarcelona.com
Run by a native Peruvian chef, The Market Barcelona can boast the city’s only ceviche bar. The Market Barcelona is both a gastronomic restaurant and cocktail bar the star ingredient here is pisco, the renowned Peruvian spirit. Patrick Webber who previously worked at the Eclipse cocktail bar on the 26th floor of the W Barcelona, has adopted pisco as the Market’s speciality. Located opposite the renowned Casa Fuster at the top of Passeig de Gràcia with a generous terrace and friendly efficient service, a must visit for ‘foodies’ and cocktail lovers.
- Juanita LaLá
Edificio Palacio de Mar, Plaza Pau Vila, 1 (Barceloneta) | t. + 34 93 221 3770 / + 34 93 221 3770 | www.juanitalala.com
Juanita Lalá’s décor is retro-industrial, the ambience is lively and noisy with a mostly young crowd! Restaurant specialising in ‘tapas’ and Latin-Med ‘shared dishes’ and cocktail bar specialising in Mediterranean themed cocktails. The tables get cleared away after 12 to make way for a dance floor with a live Dj or bands. Located in the Port Vell and having no direct neighbours makes this one of the best cocktails bars to party in the area.
- Mezcaleria, OAXACA
Pla de Palau, 19 (Born) | t. + 34 93 319 0064 /+ 34 93 319 0064 | www.oaxacacuinamexicana.com
Opened in August of this year this cocktail bar with over 200 varieties of organic mescal, unique in all of European and already an important reference. The mezcalería is located within the OAXACA restaurant which specialises in Mexican cuisine. Head barman is Fernando Tapia Salvador. Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic drink brewed from the indigenous agave plant. The décor and the location, between the Born and Barceloneta make this an excellent option for sampling this complex and exotic beverage.
- Kaki
C/ Avinyó, 30 (Gótico) | t. + 34 93 412 71 98 / + 34 93 412 71 98
Kaki is a cocktail bar located in the basement of the recently opened Palosanto restaurant within the Hotel Arai that straddles C/ Avinyó and Plaza George Orwell. Specialising in Vodkas with over 40 number labels in total. The interior design is retro-vintage and features recycled materials, lush velvet upholstery and tenuous lighting, if one imagines what a cocktail bar should look like Kaki is that bar. Surely it can only be a matter of time before Barcelona adopts the Vodka & Tonic in the same way as it has the Gin & Tonic.
- The Ministry of Cocktails Store
C. Muntaner, 6 (Eixample) | t. + 34 93 173 98 57 / + 34 93 173 98 57 | www.theministryofcocktails.net
A cocktail bar/delicatessen situated in Barcelona city centre. A new multi-functional concept store that allows customers to sample and purchase quality gourmet products (caviar, foie gras, cured hams, vermouth, cavas and champagnes etc.); products and goods related to the world of cocktails (everything from a wide selection of alcohols to utensils and other goods); try out classic ‘signature’ cocktails; dine at its exclusive restaurant 10 y punto (a private space for up to 10 diners with 3 menus to choose from ranging in price from 25, 35 & 55 Euros); consult its specialised book and magazine collection or enrol within one of the workshops organised there.
Open from Monday through Saturday from 9PM till 2 AM. Themed events on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
- Cocktail Shop
C. Roger de Llúria, 46 (Eixample) | t. + 34 93 301 3759 / + 34 93 301 3759 | [email protected]
Located in an open-plan space over 150 sq.m. Cocktail Shop is a concept store dedicated to the world of cocktails, where visitors can purchase both the tools and specialist technical equipment as well as hard to find bitters and liqueurs. The contemporary interior design is by Clip Architects includes vintage design touches. Cocktail Shop aims to become a reference space in Barcelona featuring all things related to the latest trends in cocktails. The shop area is located behind a huge display window with over 300 stacked bottles including all kinds of premium liquors, sophisticated ingredients and specific utensils for ‘mixologist culture’.
Monthly courses, workshops, tasting events and free master-classes open to all (professional and amateur).
- Toto
C/ Valencia, 246 (Eixample) | t. + 34 93 467 67 29 / + 34 93 467 67 29
Restaurant and Bar with a stylish cocktail bar located at the beginning of the street. The house specialty is contemporary Italian cuisine with an organic touch. The decoration is signed by Lázaro Rosa – Violán.
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