In Barcelona, it is easy to be spoiled by all the bar choices, from the most unique to the most traditional, from the modern to the more unusual. For those looking for a truly authentic experience, it can be a bit more difficult to find if you don’t know where to look. So we’ve compiled a list of the best hidden bars the city has to offer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paradiso
Hidden in the beautiful Born neighborhood, it’s a bar that, from the outside, looks like another traditional establishment. To enter you have to go through the back door and through a “refrigerator”. Once through the door, this charming bar specialized in cocktails surprises you with its main room, which takes place in an authentic jungle atmosphere.
This “clandestine” cocktail that bar hides behind the fridge door in a small pastrami shop that looks like a casual lunch cafe where you can enjoy some tasty pastrami sandwiches, it is hard to find out without knowing about it. Make sure you get there before the lines form, because it’s a popular hangout. With offbeat cocktails accented with fresh fruit and herbs served in the most extravagant fashion, like smoke jugs or treasure chests and bar food, you’ll be delighted with your choice of venue at Paradiso.
Bear in mind this bar is even more popular now as it was voted the best bar in the world by Time Out in 2022!
Carrer de Rera Palau, 4
Bobby’s Free Bar
This is a famous hidden bar located behind a retro 1930s barbershop, reminiscent of the prohibition era. You will be surprised by the aspects of the place such as the details, the music, the decoration, the behavior of the waiters, without forgetting the tasting of new cocktails served with talent and a lot of class.
When you get here you might be confused by the sign under the name saying it’s a barbershop, you might be even more confused when you walk in and it looks like a barbershop. The thing is that in Bobby’s you have to have a password and once you say it a “barber” will open the secret entrance for you. The best thing about this place is that the barber makes sure the bar doesn’t get too crowded so it’s always a nice comfortable experience! This place is complete cocktail heaven and the bartenders are well versed in all kinds of delicious drinks! Be sure to reserve your spot and get the password.
Carrer de Pau Claris, 85
Dry Martini Barcelona
Not exactly what you’d expect, this speakeasy is actually a speakeasy. Located in the back room of the classic Dry Martini cocktail bar, one of the best in Barcelona, the mysterious place began as an unofficial cantina for bar guests who needed a snack to revive themselves. Today, on days when you need a password to get in, guests can call ahead to request a table. But the place manages to retain all of its original charm and mystery, as guests pass through the back door to their table.
A nice little place to relax with friends while discovering the different cocktails that Dry Martini By Javier De Las Muelas offers. With a pleasant and familiar atmosphere, you will have the opportunity to chat with the locals who know how to make friends.
Carrer d’Aribau, 162
Antic Teatre
The Antic Teatre is the perfect place to organize small exciting events. You will be surrounded by local people and drinks at very reasonable prices. Located next to the Palau de la Música Catalana, this hidden bar in Barcelona includes a garden, which is used more throughout the summer, and a terrace inside that can also give you a great view of the spacious courtyard. Find live music, poetry, theater and more at the Antic Theatre. Drinks are very cheap, beer can be had for around €2,50 while wine normally costs €3.
Carrer de Verdaguer i Callís, 12
BAR MUT
As if it were an exclusive club, in this bar located on rue Pau Claris it is forbidden to take pictures inside. After walking through a house, the visitor will find a bar with a Parisian aesthetic heavily influenced by Woody Allen’s movie “Midnight in Paris”.
MUT is nothing compared to all the bars you just read about. This is the authentic, the most secret of Barcelona’s hidden bars. You have to be a “member” of this exclusive club to gain entry. There are no exceptions. There was even a rumor that Shakira was denied entry because she was not invited. If she actually gets her name on the list, she won’t faint, because who knows if it will happen again.
Carrer de Pau Claris, 192
Pipa Club
As you might guess, the Pipa Club is a club for pipe smokers, although membership is not required to enter as guests are welcome. Located on the 3rd floor of an apartment, inside you will find a relaxed atmosphere filled with Sherlock Holmes-themed decorations and paintings. The secret bar regularly features live jazz and if you’re lucky you might catch them playing before opening hours.
The club has long been at the forefront of Barcelona’s jazz scene, with concerts every weekend, from swing to gypsy jazz to gigs. The spirit of the club remains intact year after year and it remains one of the best places to end a night in the city. No bar food is normally served so catch dinner before going.
Plaça Real, 3
So if you’re out and about at night and you’ve just arrived in Barcelona, and are looking for a nice place to have a drink and go with your friends in the heart of the city check out these spots! We guarantee that your mind will be blown after your visit. Don’t forget to enjoy out Montjuïc Segway Tour along the way.
