Spain · The best bar city in the world
Barcelona
Barcelona had the best bar in the world twice in a row: Paradiso and Sips. Plus absinthe since 1820, clubs until 6 am and a beach where the night goes on.
In ten years Barcelona has made itself the cocktail capital of Europe. Paradiso in El Born, hidden behind the refrigerator door of a pastrami shop, was voted best bar in the world in 2022, Sips in the Eixample in 2023. Dr. Stravinsky, Two Schmucks and Bobby Gin have made the city compulsory for bartenders.
At the same time the old Barcelona night is alive: Boadas, Spain's oldest cocktail bar since 1933, Bar Marsella in the Raval with absinthe since 1820, the bodegas of Poble Sec with vermouth in the afternoon. And the clubs: Razzmatazz with five rooms in Poblenou, La Terrrazza under the open sky in the Poble Espanyol, Shôko and Opium on the beach.
The rhythm is Spanish: dinner at 10 pm, bar from midnight, club from 2 am, beach from 6. Arrive with German punctuality and you drink alone.
The night profile
- Cocktail
- €14
- Beer
- €4
- Club entry
- €20
- Taxi at night
- €12
Mediterranean elegant. No shorts and no flip-flops for the rooftop and the beach clubs; in El Born it may be creative.
The night in Barcelona
From the first hour to the last.
May to October for the beach and open-air clubs, La Mercè in September, Primavera Sound in June. In August many of the locals' bars are closed.
- 19:00Vermouth
A bodega in Poble Sec: vermouth, olives, crisps, sun.
- 21:00Rooftop
Eclipse on the 26th floor of the W or a hotel terrace in the Eixample.
- 23:00Best bar in the world
Paradiso (waiting list by QR code at the entrance) or Sips.
- 01:00Classic
Boadas or Bar Marsella for an absinthe with history.
- 03:00Club
Razzmatazz, La Terrrazza (summer) or Shôko on the beach until six.
El Born
Paradiso, Dr. Stravinsky, wine bars in medieval alleys.
Eixample
Sips, Bobby Gin and the bars of Carrer d'Aribau and Muntaner.
Raval
Bar Marsella, Boadas, Caribbean Club: history and absinthe.
Barceloneta and beach
Eclipse in the W Hotel, Shôko and the chiringuitos on the sand.
Poblenou and Montjuïc
Razzmatazz, La Terrrazza and summer nights under the open sky.
The addresses
10 bars in Barcelona.
SpeakeasyBarcelona · El Born
Paradiso
Behind the fridge, the best bar in the world
Cocktail barBarcelona · Eixample
Sips
The Drinkery House, number one in 2023
Cocktail barBarcelona · El Born
Dr. Stravinsky
The laboratory in El Born
Cult barBarcelona · Raval
Boadas
The oldest cocktail bar in Spain
Cult barBarcelona · Raval
Bar Marsella
Absinthe since 1820
Rooftop barBarcelona · Barceloneta
Eclipse
26th floor of the W, sea on three sides
ClubBarcelona · Montjuïc
La Terrrazza
Open-air club in the Poble Espanyol
ClubBarcelona · Poblenou
Razzmatazz
Five rooms, every night
Cocktail barBarcelona · Raval
Caribbean Club
Barcelona's smallest great bar
Beach clubBarcelona · Barceloneta
Shôko
Restaurant, lounge and club on the sand
Good to know
Tips for Barcelona.
- Paradiso: no reservations; you join a waiting list via QR code at the entrance and drink in the quarter meanwhile.
- Vermouth hour is between 1 and 7 pm, not at night.
- Watch your bags on the beach at night; the chiringuitos are safe, the promenade usually is.
- The metro runs all night on Saturday, until 2 am on Friday. Taxis are cheap and everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Which bar in Barcelona was the best in the world?
Paradiso in El Born was voted number one of the World's 50 Best Bars in 2022, Sips in the Eixample in 2023.
When do people go out in Barcelona?
Bars from 11 pm, clubs from 2 am, many close at six. Dinner beforehand at 9 or 10 pm.
Is Barcelona safe at night?
Basically yes, but pickpocketing is an issue: bag in front, phone in the inside pocket, avoid the Ramblas at night.
