FROM THE OLDEST JOINT IN THE CITY TO A CRAFT BEER HOTSPOT, THESE ARE OUR FAVOURITE WALLET-FRIENDLY BARS IN BARCELONA
Barcelona is one of Europe’s most popular cities where young people flock to embrace the culture, architecture, cuisine and art. So while you spend the sunny daytime visiting sights like Park Güell and the Sagrada Família church - you may be asking where to spend your evenings? Bars play a pretty big part of Spanish life - and as people tend to dine fairly late in the city, bars are often somewhere to head to before and after a meal - so expect to spend plenty of time drinking. As a city renowned for its bustling nightlife, there’s a lot of choice. So check out our list of the best affordable bars in Barcelona, tried and tested…
1 BELUSHI’S
Carrer de Bergara 3 | 11.00-02.00 every day
At Belushi’s, you'll find one of the longest happy hours in Barcelona, with 2 for 1 drink deals all day until midnight. It’s also one of the biggest sports bars in town boasting three large projectors playing sporting events from the UK, USA, Australia, Spain and the EU - so if you don’t want to miss a big footie game, you’re sorted (and where better to watch Barcelona FC win a match than Barcelona?) Serving cheap cocktails, 10 euro buckets and huge beer pitchers, you’ll need something to soak up all that alcohol so it’s lucky Belushi’s serve fat burgers and big portions! It’s a great place to go if you’re looking for a fun party bar to get drunk and have wild night, equipped with a pool table and foosball.
2 MARSELLA
Carrer de Sant Pau 65 | 22.00-02.30 every day
Marsella was opened in 1820, and is said to be Barcelona’s very first bar. Located in a 200-year old crumbling building, Marsella is a popular choice for locals and tourists alike who are charmed by its sense of history. The bar has attracted many famous faces of the past, most notably Salvador Dali, Picasso, Anton Gaudi, Ernest Hemingway and George Orwell. If that’s not enough to convince you to test it out, we don’t know what is. It’s very best asset is its homemade absinthe which you simply have to try. Just a prior warning: after 1 absinthe you’re drunk, 2 you're hammered, and most people can't walk out without help after 3.
3 L’OVELLA NEGRA (THE BLACK SHEEP)
Carrer de la Sitges 5 | 17.00-02.30 every day
L’Ovella Negra sells beer by the litre - so it’s no wonder it’s one of the city’s favourite student haunts. And that’s not even the coolest thing about it. The bar is located in an underground cave. With German beer-tent style bench seating, it serves drinks with a portion of popcorn and hosts a buzzing atmosphere. Perhaps one of the most interesting things on the the menu is alcoholic milk - called Leche de Pantera (Panther milk). It’s simply delicious.
4 ANTIC TEATRE
Carrer de Verdaguer i Callís 12 | 17.00-00.00 most days
A wonderful thing about Spain is the fact you can sit outside with a glass of Sangria at pretty much any time of the day. The Antic Teatre (a former outdoor theatre) is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy some drinks in the fresh air. The large outdoor seating area lies between beautiful Gothic buildings and the whole place looks stunning when lit at night. There’s one giant tree that provides shade and is covered in lights and pretty bird houses. It’s quite a hipster joint, selling simple but affordable drinks.
5 GARAGE BEER CO
Carrer de Consell de Cent 261 | 17.00-00.00 most days
If you’re a fan of craft beer, this is the place for you. Garage Beer Co may be a little bit out of town, but it’s a strong newcomer to Barcelona’s booming craft beer scene. It serves a selection of craft beer all made on site, huge volumes of it flowing out of 8 beer taps to satisfy its thirsty, returning customers. Inside, you’ll find very informative and knowledgeable staff, who know what they’re talking about when it comes to craft beer - so you’ll be in very good hands. With a cool, contemporary industrial interior, this bar is definitely one to pay the extra cab fare for.