Articles

The cocktail

Although there is evidence of their existence since the nineteenth century, the truth is that cocktails became popular in the United States during the twenties because of the Prohibition. In response to the ban, illegal and clandestine places that sold alcohol began to spread. However, what they served was of such a poor quality that the bartenders had to disguise its taste with other ingredients.

Phillip Marlow’s Ginlet, James Bons’ shaked, not stirred Dry Martini, Tom Cruise’s Daiquiri in Cocktail, The Lebowski’s Russian White or Carrie Bradshaw’s Cosmopolitan in Sex In The City… the important role of cocktails in the history’s cinema is not gratuitious. Over the years, the cocktail has become the most glamorous drink and, in fact, this fashion has not only survived for decades, but nowadays the art of mixing or mixology –term used currently that turns it, rather than into an art, into a science- is living its best moment.

The main world capitals, that always set the latest trends, have been and are home to the best and finest cocktail bars. In this sense, Barcelona is definitely in a good position. The city hides all sorts of cocktail bars, from dark spots where, while enjoying a cocktail, we will feel like the main character from a film noir movie, to modern design places that will take us to the most sophisticated New York nightspots.

THE OLDEST ONE

Boadas

Opened in 1933 by Miguel Boada, who was trained in the art of cocktails in the famous Floridita in Havana, Boadas is probably the best cocktail bar in Barcelona. Small, dark and elegant, this is a place with charisma the walls of which -covered with pictures, paintings, writings…- prove that celebrities from the world of art, music and cinema have come to this corner of La Rambla to enjoy a Tom Collins, an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan.

THE CLASSICS

L’Ascensor

Hidden behind Plaça Sant Jaume, L’Ascensor is one of the most emblematic bars in downtown. Founded in 1970 and decorated with original modern furnishings from the early twentieth century, it welcomes us with an elevator that we will have to cross to get inside, a space with a cozy and calm atmosphere perfect for intimate conversations. Its offer includes from the most classic cocktails to the most tropical ones, as well as an interesting collection of Premium Gins with which they prepare stunning gin tonics.

Gimlet

Placed in Carrer Rec since the late seventies, Gimlet is pure sobriety. Inspired by the American films of the forties, it is a small place with a warm and intimate ambience and jazz background music. Between its wooden walls, Juan Ramón Falces offers the best classic cocktails.

Ideal Cocktail Bar

Its origins date back to 1931, although it was not until later when it turned into a cocktail bar. Today, owned by the founder’s grandson, Josep Maria Gotarda, Ideal boasts a classic rather out-fashioned English style, and hides a dark quite small interior space, dressed with lots of wood and red velvet armchairs. In such an intimate and cosy atmosphere we will enjoy excellent traditional cocktails. Gintonics are the house’s specialties.

Dry Martini

The Dry Martini cocktail bar is internationally renowned as one of the best in the world. Created by cocktail master Javier de las Muelas –inexhaustible source of creations- in the late seventies, this luxurious bar boasts an elegant classic style decoration and a very select ambience. Nextdoor is the wonderful clandestine restaurant Speakeasy. As the counter says, Dry Martini has served over a million Dry Martinis.

Tándem Cocktail Bar

Although the outside might go quite unnoticed, the drawing of the two men on a tandem bycicle hides a space with a real intimate ambience. Behind the long bar made of noble wood, a young team of experts dressed in uniforms practice the art of mixing with astonishing agility.

Harry’s Bar

The music of the piano dominating this cocktail bar with classic interior design creates a special ambience and invites to relax and talk softly. Both the musical repertoire (which the regulars often join carried away by the emotion of the moment) and the cocktail list correspond to the most classic style.

Milano Cocktail Bar

As if it was the Chicago in the Prohibition times, dark stairs lead to the basement where this cocktail bar with dim light boasts a design that inevitably evokes the Hollywood of the forties. Barman Juanjo González moves gracefully between bottles of select spirits to the rhythm of a good selection of jazz music.

THE MODERN ONES

Negroni

Classical in offer and service but contemporary in interior design and ambience, Negroni is a cocktail bar that boasts a minimal design that attracts a young and select clientele. With the black as predominating colour, the space presents a dark atmosphere that invites to midnight confessions and contrasts with the original red lamps made out of Campari bottles (one of the ingredients of the Negroni cocktail).

Why Not cocktail Bar

Why Not has nothing to do with the stereotypes of the typical classic cocktail bars. It welcomes us with a sophisticated modern and original interior design, that will catch our attention with a white neon bar that confirms we are in an uncommon place. The cocktail menu includes the most traditional preparations but also an interesting selection of recipes of their own creation that will not delight absolutely everybody.

Noti Goodbar

This is the cocktail bar of the restaurant placed the old headquarters of the late Noticiero Universal (popular newspaper founded in Barcelona in the late nineteenth century). An elegant space that boasts an exquisite modern design and a sophisticated ambience, perfect to start the coolest nights in the city. Enjoying of one of the most classic cocktails in this New York-inspired setting is priceless.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

XixBar

Although its eclectic and, let’s say, curious decoration may seem the main attraction of this charismatic cocktail bar, the truth is that nothing gets to overshadow what, according to many people, are the best gintonics prepared in Barcelona. In the Gin Corner we can but up to 20 different gin brands.

Torre Rosa

Bartenders Jordi and Carles Reig are responsible for the fantastic menu featuring creations of their own –we can also find the traditional ones- that Torre Rosa offers. This cocktail bar is placed in a magnificent house from the early twentieth century built for a family of indianos, and has been an interesting option in Barcelona’s nightlife for over twenty years. The fantastic garden, surrounded by palm trees and pines, is a real delight.