London, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Barcelona share a common status as global cities and prominent bar hubs. Barcelona surprises many; while known for partying, it’s a hotspot for exceptional bars and top-ranking restaurants. The city stands out on The World’s 50 Best Bars list.
What’s driving Barcelona’s bar scene? Influential bartenders saw it as a promising business landscape. Italian bartenders from London ventured into this vibrant beach city, signaling more global bartender stars moving away from London.
Barcelona thrives on diversity in its gastronomic landscape. The city boasts diverse establishments of varying styles. Here are six standout places that reflect this diversity:
This bar, known as a “speakeasy” or secret bar, isn’t that secretive. Paradiso stands as one of Barcelona’s iconic bars, often with long queues outside, especially after its top rank on The World’s 50 Best Bars list last year. Accessible through a refrigerator door in a regular deli, the bar boasts a surreal wooden interior reminiscent of Salvador Dalí’s artistry. Co-owner Giacomo Giannotti and the team crafted an impressive menu with a wow factor, like the Supercool Martini, where pouring the drink creates an iceberg-like tip for a frozen Martini Cocktail experience.
Let’s return once again to the prestigious list of the 50 best bars in the world for 2022. Two Schmucks landed in seventh place. On the official worlds50bestbars.com page, Two Schmucks is described as a 5-star dive bar. This concept is hard to define, but you’ll recognize it as soon as you settle in. They initiated a trend worldwide with polished cocktails, relaxed yet attentive service, and an atmosphere that completely envelops you. The concept was founded by Moe Aljaff, who moved to Barcelona from Norway. Currently, he no longer owns the business, but his signature reshaped the cocktail culture in Spain.
Besides modern concepts, we must also mention their exact opposite in this article. The traditional cocktail bar Boadas, founded in 1933, is the oldest cocktail bar in Barcelona and probably in all of Spain. Founder Miguel Boadas drew inspiration from the legendary El Floridita bar in Havana, famous by Ernest Hemingway. Don’t look for rotary evaporators in this concept. Instead, you’ll get a perfect Martini, distinctive for its preparation technique. They use the throwing technique instead of a mixing glass, a technique ahead of its time. They used it in times when Instagram wasn’t even a thought. Simone Caporale is the current owner. He can boast not only of the futuristic Paradiso but also a venue that played a fundamental role in Barcelona’s cocktail history.
A relatively new establishment on the Barcelona scene is inspired by Spanish writer Carlos Ruiz Zafón and his novel Marina. It opened its doors on June 2, 2021, and it’s the brainchild of the exceptional Luca Corradini, who previously gained experience at London’s Savoy or Oreole. Mariposa Negra Bar prides itself on being entirely constructed from recyclable materials. The main idea is ‘mind to reality,’ implying that with the right tools and technologies, one can turn ideas into reality. Custom-made ceramic glasses serve as an example. They sketch the glass type first, then use 3D printing to create a model, which becomes the mold for the ceramic cup. All glasses are hand-painted, and the entire process takes place on-site to minimize the carbon footprint. Just two months after opening, the venue was awarded the fifth coolest bar in the world.
A bar laboratory crafting delicious drinks can be found in the unique Dr. Stravinsky. All bottles in the bar are labeled with the establishment’s logo, intensifying the feeling of being in an old pharmacy. They focus on modern technologies with an emphasis on local sourcing and in-house production. They experiment with re-distillation, fermentation in the form of kombucha or tibi, and never forget to merge food and drinks. Thanks to an infusion at low temperature in a vacuum, they produce an exceptional tomato gin. Their Soil Dry Martini cocktail became a phenomenon as they re-distill vodka with clay. The concept behind Dr. Stravinsky is by the Grup Confiteria, which includes, among other venues, the aforementioned Paradiso.
However, Barcelona offers much more than just the mentioned establishments. If you’re craving a perfect dessert or burger, visit one of Lucie Kurakova’s concepts. On the first day of opening her bakery El Desván, she had about 600 visitors.
Whisky lovers will find their haven in La Whiskeria, boasting the longest bar counter in Barcelona and a portfolio of approximately 1,200 whisky bottles, constantly expanding. On the other hand, those who adore a tropical atmosphere and rum will fall for the Creps Al Born concept. It’s worth a try; they offer a combination of pancakes and tiki drinks. Comic lovers will enjoy the Monk cocktail bar, Paradiso’s sister establishment. The stunning space with restrooms styled as an old butcher’s even has a smaller room inspired by Superman’s cave.
A robust business environment, skilled individuals with years of experience in the field, and a sought-after tourist destination. These are the prerequisites for a country aspiring to be considered a gastronomic powerhouse. Barcelona has excelled in all attributes, and its impact on the bar scene will undoubtedly continue to grow in the future.”
