Barcelona is known for its great cocktail bars. The city offers travelers a variety of different bars where they can get delicious drinks! A lot of the bars are located in the more touristic parts of the city and often these bars can get very crowded, however, if you want to have a more intimate place where there are not too many people at the best alternative is the city’s speakeasies.
Whether for an aperitif or as a digestif and maybe only for the sake of pleasure, a drink plays an important role for travelers in Barcelona. The city has no shortage of bars, bartenders, good drinks and cocktails. The city has tons of speakeasies that allow visitors to get a truly unique experience of a bar and while it can be difficult for travelers to avoid the typical tourist bars in the city we have got you covered with our list of the top 10 best speakeasy bars in Barcelona!
1. PARADISO
Paradiso was once a secret and hidden bar behind a pastrami-sandwich place. The mystery of the place is now fully revealed and it is now a fun bar to go to for good drinks however you still have to pass through a fridge door to get inside! The cocktails are good and its not a pretentious or very fancy environment its very chill and comfortable. You can enjoy your cocktails and then go back to the pastrami bar to have some snacks!
Address: Calle Rera Palau 4
Phone: +34 933 60 72 22
2. DRY MARTINI
This bar is a classic and a long time favorite of many! Dry Martini was opened by Don Pere Carbonell in 1978 and started as a bar that only served Dry Martinis, however, now they offer many varieties of cocktails – all of which are carefully crafted. The staff here are professional, the drinks are always good and music is never too loud but sets a great vibe to the place. Its the perfect place to stop by for a pre-dinner drink!
Address: Aribau 162-166
Phone: +34 932 05 80 70
3. BOBBY’S FREE
When you arrive here you may be confused by the sign below the name that says its a barbershop, you may be even more confused when you walk in and it looks like a barber shop. The thing is, at Bobby’s you have to have a password and once you say it a “barber” will open the secret entrance for you. The great thing about this place is that the barber makes sure the bar doesn’t get too crowded so it’s always a nice and comfortable experience! This place is a complete cocktail heaven and the bartenders are well versed on all types of delicious drinks! Make sure to book your place and get the password.
Address: Calle Pau Claris 85
4. GIMLET
From the same man who now owns Dry Martini, Javier de las Muales, owns and founded Gimlet which actually, was his first venue. Gimlet is a very popular place among locals; you will barely see any tourist there. The staff is passionate and professional and they will usually ask you what you like instead of what you want from the menu. The area is calm and cozy and it’s the perfect place to enjoy after dinner drinks.
Address: Calle Santalo 46
Phone: +34 932 01 53 06
5. EL ARMARIO
This is a secret bar, no really, like an actual secret bar. The only information known to the public is that it is in the El Raval Neighbourhood and that it is behind a wardrobe. Once you have found the wardrobe you will climb through a wall to reach the hidden small bar. The other catch is that the times are also unknown so you will only know when you reach. It may sound like a hassle but if you have the time while in Barcelona, it is worth the time to find it an enjoy the adventure and their amazing gin and tonics.
Address: Probably near Carrer de la Riereta
6. BOADAS
Boadas is one of the oldest cocktail bars in Barcelona. When you enter inside you will feel like you are traveling back in time. Those old polished wooden counters and high leather bar chairs remind you of the old days. Here you will experience master bartenders who are able to serve you the best cocktails in the city. It may be a bit difficult to find it from the outside so look carefully!
Address: Calle Tallers 1
Phone: +34 933 18 95 92
7. BANKER’S BAR
Barcelona can never cease to amaze you with its incredible and unique bars and Banker’ bar is no different. It is built in what is now known as the Mandarin Hotel. However, the building used to be a bank and this is seen on the ceiling which has tons of security boxes which were left from the original bank itself. You can enjoy the outside seating or the interior where you can sit by the bar. This is a great place to have an intimate setting with friends. One of their most popular items is the Banker’s Martini – it is made with Cardamum Ketel One Vodka, bottoms up!
Address: Passeig de Gracia 38-40
Phone: +34 931 51 88 88
8. OLD FASHIONED
Old Fashioned is a place where you can enjoy a great cocktail, with style and refinement. The cocktails are majority gin-based however, there are some exceptions on the menu. Their cocktails are filled with a variety of flavors and a sweet blend of aromas. The name is only reflected in its interior design and how the bartenders are dressed but the taste of the cocktails go beyond time.
Address: Calle Santa Teresa 1
Phone: +34 933 68 52 77
9. TANDEM
Entering Tandem is like going into a hidden passage. There are velvet curtains waiting for you to enter the magical world in here. The inside has wooden walls and red velvet bar stools. The staff here are well dressed and extremely professional. It has a sophisticated yet fun atmosphere, you will feel isolated from the outside noise of the city and you can relax here with a great cocktail.
Address: Aribau 86
Phone: +34 934 51 43 30
10. DR. STRAVINKSY
This quirky bar is another place that is hard to reach. Even though it will take time to find it, you will definitely like the atmosphere here. It’s fun but mystical at the same time. You will feel like you are in a laboratory here. The bartenders are like a scientist – who are carefully executing your cocktails like an important experiment. They have a variety of homemade alcohol and bitters that cover the walls. The cocktails here mostly contain strong alcohols as a base rather than light ones. If you book before you can occupy their “secret” room with its own music system.
Address: Carrer Mirallers, 5
Phone: +34 931 57 12 33