BARCELONA

Barcelona is bursting with pubs, hedonistic gay bars and frenetic clubs, and the whirr of live jazz, rock, flamenco and salsa is never far away. The calendar is crammed with holidays and festivals, and Barcelonins are usually buzzing with the anticipation of an upcoming event.



Terrazza

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behind Poble Espanyol
Montjuic
Avda del Marquès de Comillas
tel: 93 423 12 85   
Move to 'the terrace' for rejuvenation when you run out of steam. Some of the biggest international names play at this atmospheric, fun club, which can be relied on for some of the meatiest dance tunes on vinyl. In winter it moves indoors and becomes the Discothèque, which is also very cool.

La Vinya del Senyor
Plaça de Santa Maria del Mar 5
La Ribera
tel: 93 310 33 79   
A wine taster's fantasy, this bar has a stunning location looking out over the spires of Santa Maria del Mar. Choose from almost 300 varieties of wine and cava from around the world and enjoy inventive platillos (mini-tapas) as you sip. Tables by the window upstairs provide excellent views of Barcelona.

La Paloma
C/del Tigre 27
El Ravel
tel: 93 301 68 97   
Start the night listening to the band and dancing cha-chas and tangos with your parents, then finish it hanging out with beautiful young things listening and dancing to groovy DJ compilations. Arrive for the last half hour of the band (avoiding the queues) and grab a balcony table for a grand view.

Boadas 1
C/dels Tallers 1
El Ravel
tel: 93 318 88 26   
The founder of this 1933 Art Deco cocktail bar learned his craft serving Hemingway in the famed Floridita Bar in Havana. The walls are covered with mementoes, including a sketch by Miró of contented customers sloshed on the hundreds of enticing cocktails on offer here.

Dot Light Club
Carrer Nou de Sant Francesc 7
Barri Gòtic
tel: 93 302 70 26    Website
This little treasure, in the back streets of Barri Gòtic, glows every day of the week. It's a place made for whiling away many happy hours. There's a red-lit bar at the front for a chat or a snuggle, and the small, congenial dance floor out back is awash with projections of cult movies.