La Champañeria (Can Paixano) Bar / Restaurant

Port Olimpic / Barceloneta, Barcelona –

Though La Champañeria’s location tucked away on a street surrounded by electronics stores seems a tad inauspicious, this authentic champagne and tapas bar still manages to pack in a crowd every day of the week – in large part thanks to the amazingly low prices and sensational food and drink.

Once past Can Paixano’s wood door, marked only by the people spilling onto the street, patrons find themselves in a dark room full of champagne bottles, hams slung on hooks, cooking smoke, and a bustling team of chefs.

The crowds and narrow space can make for an overwhelming scene, but it’s worth the trouble to elbow through to the bar and order a bottle of cava. Those who don’t know anything about Spanish champagne needn’t worry – they’re all pretty good and surprisingly inexpensive, so it’s hard to go wrong.

Fighting for position with the feisty patrons is an experience in itself, but for those who keep their sense of humor and their wits about them, La Champañeria is a lively place for an affordable dinner and drinks before hitting the late-night spots.