Historic Bars in Barcelona

Casa Almirall

Historic Bar

Party Earth Review A local favorite for more than 150 years – making it the second-oldest bar in town – Casa Almirall is a cozy bar that appears to have changed very little since it first opened in the 1860s. Cool Modernista-styled doors and windows beckon to inquisitive tourists to drop in for a drink after visiting the ... more

Carrer de Joaquín Costa, 33
08001 Barcelona

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4Gats

Historic Restaurant / Bar

Reviewed by urszula z.

"The place where Picasso used to spend his precious time... so don't be surprise if sometimes you will have to wait for a table. Hidden in the narrow s ..." more

Carrer Montsió, 3
08002 Barcelona

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London Bar

Historic Bar

Party Earth Review Literature buffs and aspiring bohemians won’t want to miss London Bar, a legendary venue just off Las Ramblas. Opened in 1910, this famous tavern was once frequented by such illustrious figures as Ernest Hemingway and Joan Miró, and even Dalí and Picasso were known to drop by on occasion. The faded splendor of the art deco ... more

Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 34
08001 Barcelona

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Cafè de l’Òpera

Coffee Shop / Historic Bar

Party Earth Review Kitschy tourist traps abound along the famous Las Ramblas stretch, but Cafè de l'Òpera – in business since the 1920s – isn’t just another overpriced coffee shop. True, folks might pony up an extra Euro or two for items here, but the Art Nouveau-style interior usually offers enough free tables for anyone who wants to take ... more

La Rambla, 74
08002 Barcelona

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Boadas

Cocktail Bar / Historic Bar

Party Earth Review Although situated just off the main Las Ramblas thoroughfare, Boadas is rumored to be the very first cocktail bar in Spain, so it would be hard to dismiss it as just another tourist trap. The venue was opened in 1933 by Miguel Boadas, who cut his teeth working at Ernest Hemingway’s favorite Havana haunt, La ... more

Carrer dels Tallers, 1
08001 Barcelona

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El Xampanyet

Tapas Bar / Historic Bar

Reviewed by Sam S.

" My Take: El Xampanyet is a must for cava (Catalonian Champagne) lovers visiting Barcelona. Although it has tables and benches, it turns into a standi ..." more

Carrer de Montcada, 22
08003 Barcelona

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There aren’t a ton of stellar historic bars in Barcelona, but the few that are around are timeless classics that anyone would be remiss not to visit at least once.

The cool thing about historic bars is that they’re not going anywhere – you’re all but guaranteed to be able to hop in any time, any day, and any year and expect the same experience. They also have remarkable histories and usually boast of their famous clientele from days past.

One of the really great Barcelona historic bars is London Bar. Opened in 1910, this bohemian hotspot has been frequented by everyone from Ernest Hemingway and Joan Miró to Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Ironically, one of the things that makes this classic spot a modern favorite is the fact that it’s one of the rare central spots in Barcelona with free Wi-Fi.

Another really classic historic spot is Marsella’s, where the same writers and artists above went for their absinthe.

Whether you’re a local looking for some drinking roots or a visitor wanting to hit every bar Hemingway drank in (good luck), you’ll be able to find some great old school watering holes in Barcelona as long as you know where to look.