Where to drink with the locals: the best bars in Barcelona

Get the inside track on the world's top city breaks from the team at Spotted by Locals

Barcelona has a vibrant nightlife scene (mexrix/Shutterstock )

Barcelona is a city filled with history, friendly locals, cosy shops and a buzzing nightlife scene. Many visitors are familiar with Las Ramblas, the tourist-filled street that’s often the first port of call for new arrivals to the city. But to avoid pushy street vendors and get into the locals' favourite bars, we asked Spotted by Locals’ on-the-ground team to divulge their nightlife tips.

Boadas is a cocktail bar that is conveniently located close to Las Ramblas. It’s Barcelona’s oldest bar, dating back to 1933, and the bartenders dress in fancy tuxedos as they prepare some 60-odd cocktails. Seeing as the bartenders try to look their best in their fine clothes, you should also dress to impress.

Boadas is Barcelona's oldest bar (Joel Rapi)

Another Barcelona-oldie is Bar Pastis, which looks just as it did when it opened in 1947. There’s plenty of romance in the air here, according to local Bill, thanks to the intimate live gigs, such as tango, which are hosted most nights. And, as the name implies, Pastis serves its very own labelled absinthe and pastis, as well as beers and other French spirits.

Bar Pastis (Haarland Sinclair)

If you’re more of a gin drinker, you can’t go wrong at Rubi. They brew their own gin and offer delicious seasonal specialties. Local Ilse says: “Rubi is a must-do on your Barcelona trip.” But if it’s cocktails you’re after, she recommends Milk, the younger sibling of the well-known Marmalade cocktail bar. It serves fantastic cosmopolitans and is a great option to start your evening out in Barcelona.

Rubi is a good choice for gin cocktails (Ilse de Ridder)

For cocktails with a view, Gerard Pinar suggests stopping by Baritimo. A chilled-out cocktail lounge located on the second floor of the Maremagnum shopping centre, it offers great views of the city’s port. The bartenders take great care to prepare the best concoction for you and the extensive cocktail menu features both alcoholic and alcohol-free tipples, such as martinis, frozen cocktails, mojitos, G&Ts and milkshake cocktails.

The best street for a bar crawl is Carrer de Joaquín Costa, but after setting foot in Betty Ford’s, many locals have a hard time leaving to continue their crawl. It’s small, with a mixed clientele, hipster style and laid-back atmosphere.

If you’re looking to party with locals, there’s a good chance you’ll find some kind of (unofficial) street party in Gràcia. It’s one of the most popular areas in the city where locals meet up to start their night out. The best point to start is at Sol Square, from where you can make your way through the surrounding streets, surrounded by happy locals, professional street music or the odd guitar player.

Gracia (Adria Garcia)

Spotted by Locals (spottedbylocals.com) is a series of apps and blogs available on iPhone and Android devices with up-to-date tips by locals in 60+ cities in Europe and North America