Barcelona's best live music venues
To many people, music in Barcelona is synonymous with images of multi-level clubs, faceless DJs, partying until it’s light outside, and partygoers barely noticing what’s playing on the sound system. But there are also places that have plenty to offer the discerning music fan. So, when you want to listen to a specific genre of music, hear a revolutionary sound or see a band that will impact you for months to come, where do you go? And how do you avoid dragging your mates along to a new jam session that turns out to be the worst open mic imaginable? To help you with these dilemmas, here is a rundown of some of Barcelona’s best venues, ensuring you enjoy the live music on offer every night of the week.
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Teatre BARTS
The boundary between Poble Sec and Raval, Avinguda del Paral·lel buzzes with musical activity, providing endless choices for those seeking live entertainment. Theatre-club BARTS (Barcelona Arts On Stage) is one of the street’s most renowned venues, and sits in a location brimming with historical significance for Barcelona’s theatre scene. Originally known as Circo Español Modelo, the early use of this space as a theatre at the end of the 19th century marked the first rumblings of Avinguda del Paral·lel becoming a mini West End. Now managed by TheProject, one of the city’s main promoters, BARTS consistently offers a packed programme of acts guaranteed to please even the pickiest music fanatic. Upstairs is ideal for dancing not just with your feet, but with your heart at weekend events like Movin’ On, BARTS’ famous soul night, while the theatre downstairs doubles as one of the city’s most unique spaces to attend a concert. Past acts included LCD Soundsystem and James Vincent McMorrow. The venue also participates in a number of Barcelona’s annual festivals, including the Voll-Damm International Jazz Festival, Cruïlla and Primavera Sound.
Keep a close eye on the website for what’s on each month. Entrance fees vary.
More information here.
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Sala Apolo
Well-known for its DJ sessions that last until the wee hours, Apolo is one of the best live music venues in the city. With two stages, multiple bars and staggering acoustics, it gives music lovers the chance to hear amazing acts, both big and small. At the weekend, its rooms are regularly filled with the sounds of established and up-and-coming bands from a plethora of genres including rock, indie, garage, psychedelic pop and shoegaze. For attendees of last year's Primavera Sound, discounts on admission can be obtained using your Primavera Card. Don’t forget to register online beforehand.
More information here.
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23 Robadors
Small but charming, this stone-walled, underground music sanctuary comes highly recommended and will make you feel as if you’re in on a fabulous Barcelona secret. Opening its doors in 2004, 23 Robadors has been bringing music, dance and theatre to Barcelona locals for over a decade. Located on a side street in the Raval, you’ll spot the illuminated ‘23’ first, then head inside for a new genre of music every evening. Punters are treated to jazz, funk, rock, hip-hop and the venue’s famous flamenco sessions. If the array of music isn’t enough, they also serve pinchos at €1 a pop.
More information here.
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Big Bang Bar
Having evolved from a country house in the Raval—when the barrio was all vegetable patches and artisanal workshops—to a bodega, which at one point became a refuge for militant anarchist Jaume Vilà during the Spanish Civil War, Big Bang Bar is shrouded in history. The site found its true identity, however, in the Seventies when the gitanos of Carrer de la Cera began to fill the air with the songs and rhythms of their rich musical culture. Despite harsher restrictions due to a new interpretation of music licensing laws by the city council, Big Bang continues to serenade live music fans. On Fridays and Saturdays, the bar hosts notable jazz jam sessions, and open mic nights on Thursdays and Sundays give audiences a chance to witness Barcelona’s wealth of musical talent in their element. You never know what you might discover.
More information here.
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Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona
Bob Dylan’s guitar, Michael Stipe’s red shirt and Prince’s polka dot waistcoat line the walls of Barcelona’s popular Hard Rock Cafe, located in Plaça Catalunya, which means you don’t have to go far off the beaten path to find it. The first Hard Rock opened in 1971, all because two Americans couldn’t find a good burger in London. Their solution? Open their own burger place. These days it’s about much more than the food, although their burgers are still hard to beat. Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona is a sparkly venue with an extensive menu, making it the ideal place to see a show and keep the whole family entertained. Acts from Barcelona and beyond light up the stage at their AfterDark and acoustic sessions. New sounds, plus timeless classics will keep you buzzing all night.
More information here.
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Jam Circus
Set up as a space for actors, performers, artists and musicians alike to exhibit and display their work, Jam Circus is a hub of creativity in the heart of Poble Sec. It invites casts from all over the globe to showcase their talents in a cosy corner of the bustling city. The intimacy of the space is but one of its many assets. The bar is cheap, the crowds are friendly, and the walls are lined with books and artwork, keeping spectators engaged while waiting for the show to begin. Acts have come from as far away as Chile to show off their musical talents here. At the end of the night, after the music fades out, a hat is passed around for the audience to pay what they think the experience was worth. Proceeds go towards paying the act and staff. There is no pressure so those who cannot pay will still feel comfortable coming along for an enjoyable evening.
Jam Circus promotes a sense of community and collaboration—something which Barcelona is striving to hold onto. Kids are welcome too.
More information here.