Barcelona – Around Town – Gràcia, Tibidabo & Zona Alta (part 3) – Hip Drinking Spots, Restaurants & Tapas Bars

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Hip Drinking Spots




Gràcia Nightlife, Plaça del Sol

  1. Mirasol

    Possibly
    Gràcia’s most classic bar, the atmospheric Mirasol has been a bohemian
    hang-out for decades. In summer, there’s outdoor seating on the plaça.

    • Pl del Sol 3

    • Closed Sun

    • DA




    Mirasol

  2. Universal Café

    Open until 5:30am, Universal Café is a
    late-night, two-level bar with a spacious, airy interior. The
    image-conscious crowd comes to flirt and dance to house (upstairs) and
    acid jazz (below).

    • C/Marià Cubí 182

    • Closed Sun


    • Occasional adm

  3. Mirablau

    A
    slightly older, well-heeled set, who adhere to the smart dress code,
    come to this club-bar for a combination of cocktails and amazing views
    of the city.

    • Pl Dr Andreu




  4. Elephant

    Lavish,
    stylish and totally unique, Elephant is one of the best clubs in the
    city for a fun night out. In summer, you can lounge in the garden on
    huge, white beds.

    • Passeig dels Til.lers 1

  5. Casa Quimet

    The
    “Guitar House” is always crowded and noisy. If you can play, join the
    enthusiasts and would-be flamenco players who pick guitars off the wall
    and have an impromptu jam session. Wonderful.

    • C/Rambla de Prat 9

    • Closed Mon–Wed & Feb & Aug

  6. Sala BeCool

    A
    favourite in the chic Sant Gervasi neighbourhood, Sala BeCool offers a
    wide-ranging programme of DJ sessions, club nights and live gigs.

    • Plaça Joan Llongueras 5

  7. Otto Zutz

    Barcelona’s
    media crowd flocks to this New-York-style club to chatter in the
    corners upstairs and shoot pool downstairs. The huge dance floors throb
    with house music.

    • C/Lincoln 15

    • Closed Sun–Mon

    • Adm

  8. Mond Bar

    The
    comfortable sofas, low lights and innovative music policy (pop, lounge
    and trip-hop) make this one of the coolest hang-outs in the city. Some
    of Barcelona’s best DJs play here.

    • Pl del Sol 21




  9. Heliogàbal

    This
    cult, live music venue is best on Thursday or Sunday nights when you
    can hear anything from an indie band to a poetry slam. Prices are very
    reasonable too.

    • C/Ramón y Cajal 80

  10. Bikini

    Opening
    from midnight onwards, this huge venue has three spaces, which offer
    dance and Latin music and a cocktail lounge. Regular live music includes
    some of the best up-and-coming acts in Europe.

    • C/Deu i Mata 105

    • Closed Mon

    • Adm

    • DA


NOTE

Normal closing times for bars is 2:30am, 3am weekends. Clubs open until 4:30/6am. 

Restaurants & Tapas Bars

  1. El Asador d’Aranda

    Housed
    in the magnificent Modernista Casa Roviralta, this restaurant is a
    magnet for business-folk. Order the delicious lamb roasted in an
    oak-burning oven and dine in the beautiful garden.

    • Av Tibidabo 31

    • 93 417 01 15

    • Closed Sun dinner

  2. Bar-Restaurante Can Tomàs

    This
    tapas bar, in the Sarrià neighbourhood, is an institution. It has the
    well-deserved reputation of making some of the best tapas in town.
    Particularly recommended are the patates braves.

    • C/Major de Sarrià 49

    • 93 203 10 77

    • Closed Wed

    • No credit cards

  3. Hofmann

    Run
    by the talented chef Mey Hofmann, this restaurant serves some seriously
    delicious Catalan cuisine. Save room for the desserts.

    • C/La Granada del Penedès 14–16

    • 93 2 18 71 65

    • DA

  4. Neichel

    Top-class in every way, Neichel lures a moneyed clientele with nouvelle cuisine and a luscious interior. Reserve in advance.

    • C/Beltrán i Rózpide 1

    • 93 203 84 08

    • Closed Sun & Mon

  5. Taverna El Glop

    This tavern-like eatery serves traditional Catalan food. Its calçots (chargrilled, gigantic spring onions with spicy romesco sauce) are legendary (served only in spring).

    • C/St Lluis 24

    • 93 213 70 58

    • DA

  6. Àbac

    At the foot of Tibidabo mountain, Àbac offers French-Mediterranean cuisine prepared by award-winning chef, Xavier Pellicer.

    • Avinguda Tibidabo 1

    • 93 319 66 00

    • Closed lunch Sun, Mon, Fri lunch

    • DA

  7. Flash Flash


    Truites (omelettes) rule here, from the
    classic (Spanish) to the inventive (garlic and asparagus). The owners
    claim to have used five million eggs in just over 30 years.

    • C/Granada de Penedès 25

    • 93 237 09 90

    • DA




    Interior, Flash Flash

  8. La Balsa

    In
    the quiet Bonanova district, La Balsa is a beautiful spot, with two
    garden terraces. Fine Basque, Catalan and Mediterranean dishes are on
    the menu.

    • C/Infanta Isabel 4

    • 93 211 50 48

    • Closed Sun dinner, Mon lunch & lunch in Aug

  9. Tram Tram

    Housed in a handsome old town house, this restaurant serves, innovative, contemporary Catalan cuisine.

    • C/Major de Sarria 121

    • 93 204 85 18

    • Closed Sat lunch, Sun, Mon, fortnight in Aug

  10. Botafumeiro

    The fish tanks at this seafood restaurant are teeming with crabs and lobster destined for plates. Try the tender
    pulpo Gallego (Galician octopus). Reservations are essential.

    • C/Gran de Gràcia 81

    • 93 218 42 30

    • DA


NOTE

Unless otherwise stated, all restaurants accept credit cards.