Best bars in the Born

The stylish and artistic neighbourhood of El Born is home to many museums, medieval churches and quirky shops, making it one of the most popular districts among tourists and locals alike. El Born is also abundant in trendy bars scattered among its labyrinthine streets, offering some of the best wine and G&T selections around. Although spoilt for choice, we have narrowed it down and composed our list of top 10 bars of the barrio.

• El Paradiso

  New to the barrio, El Paradiso Pastrami Bar blurs the lines between modish cocktail bar and trendy food haunt, uniting the innovative minds of Tuscan award-winning barman Giacomo Giannotti and gastro geniuses Rooftop Smokehouse in their latest project. From the street, Paradiso is inconspicuous, accessed through a door inside the Pastrami Bar, giving a Narnia-esque air of exclusivity and secrecy to a night here. Giannotti’s signature cocktails await, some classics and some designed by the barman himself, where his roots have been a source of inspiration in selecting seasonal, artisanal ingredients when creating new recipes. The drinks' quality and originality undoubtedly add to the clandestine bar’s reputation as ‘Best New European Bar’ (Mixology Bar Awards 2016). This is a must-see for the inquisitive-hearted.

• Ziryab

  Belgian-Brit Kate Burton was inspiration by her travels and work as a UN activist to create this fusion restaurant. She chose to blend Middle Eastern-Arabian cuisine with that of the Mediterranean, creating unusual and exclusive plates such as her Cleopatra Bacon-wrapped Dates, Quinoa Salad with spiced tahini dressing, and special Ziryab Fusion Crema Catalana—an Arabian twist on a classic Catalan dessert. The carefully considered fusion carries through to the cocktails. Try their Kirak Royal, containing cava and anise, or Zibaretto Sour, which uses Jordanian date syrup to sweeten the classic Amaretto cocktail. The bar-restaurant also has a shisha lounge, where you can choose from a broad selection of sizes and flavours as you soak up the therapeutic surroundings. Adorned with cushions, stone walls, lanterns, hanging chairs and candles, Ziryab can whisk you away on a magic carpet ride of cocktails and tapas for an evening to remember.

• The Lime House

  The little sister of Rubi Bar in the Gothic Quarter, Lime House first opened two years ago and is a popular haunt amongst students and young crowds desperate to try the countless available flavours of homemade gins. Robbie, 25, from Glasgow, is a regular at the Lime House, and he particularly encourages people to try their balsamic vinegar or chilli-infused gin: “Those are my two favourite ‘unusual flavours’, but it’s nice to try a different one each time”. Beyond the funky flavours of gin and tonics are €3.50 mojitos and a selection of tapas to satisfy customer cravings. The style and atmosphere of the Lime House—with dim lighting, stone walls and archways to give it a medieval yet cosy vibe—adds to the whole experience of sipping your way through a wasabi G&T.

• Número Nueve Cocktail Bar

  This trendy cocktail bar has an air of sophistication, from the attention to detail evident in the presentation of their drinks and dishes, to their modern and modish decor. This does not compromise the genial atmosphere of the place, however, where despite the bar’s relatively small capacity, customers continue to return for its friendly service and range of reasonably priced and unusual cocktails, such as Lychee Ginger (gin, ginger, lychee, lemon and sugar) and King’s Cup (green apple, bourbon, Grand Marnier, honey, lemon and Peyschaud's). Waitress Frida, from Sweden, claims “the family of Número Nueve always try to make their guests feel at home, serving exceptional cocktails and tapas alongside happy vibes.” For an amicable feel, and a touch of class, Número Nueve is the bar for you.

• La Vinya del Senyor

  Sophisticated and classy, La Vinya del Senyor (Catalan for ‘The Vineyard of the Lord’) is a sacred spot for wine lovers. Behind the counter, shelves adorned with countless bottles of wine assure that the bar is well equipped to appease any preference. Their selection is modified regularly to allow venturesome customers to experience a variety, as well. Bartender Daniel said, “We change our selection of wine by the glass every 15 days to give our customers something different to try, including wines that usually come by the bottle and are hard to find as copas.” Beyond their surplus of wine, the bar also boasts a traditional tapas menu, which can be enjoyed on their picturesque terrace situated beneath the elegant Basílica Santa Maria del Mar.

• Ale & Hop

  This brewery is hailed for its selection of craft beers and vegetarian and vegan food, even topping the RateBeer Best awards for three consecutive years for the ‘Best Restaurant for Beer in Spain’. The bar staff are well-informed of their artisan beers, offering advice and information about their international selection, from the saisons and other pale ales, to the wheat beers and stouts, making the hunt for a beer you’ll love that much easier. However, beyond beer, Ale & Hop has a range of natural wines and cavas, and dishes such as burgers and salads made with fresh ingredients from their ecological farm in Alt Empordà. The brewery is a great pit stop after a hard workweek, with long tables at the back for groups to hang out, or ample bar space to strike up a conversation with someone new.

• Espai Barroc- Palau Dalmases

  Tucked away behind large stone doors, Espai Barroc (translated from Catalan as 'Baroque Space') is a hauntingly beautiful medieval bar with live opera, jazz and flamenco performances throughout the week. Owner Jose Miñano, from Murcia, explains that the bar only offered classical music concerts when it first opened in 1995, but with increasing demand for the popular Spanish dance, it now hosts multiple flamenco shows every night of the week, priced at €25 including a free drink. Adorned with candelabras, mirrors, statues and velvety red chairs, the bar transports you back to the Middle Ages, drawing on its 17th-century surroundings. The entrance leads directly onto a large courtyard, with the bar and stage located at the back, giving an air of seclusion and sophistication. The striking aesthetic touches and traditional entertainment distinguishes this bar from the rest.

• Bar El Born

  Located on the touristic strip of Passeig del Born, Bar El Born offers something more traditional, from its decor to its menu. Large, dark green doors open to reveal several small antique tables clustered inside with a spiral staircase at the back leading to the second floor. The bar—open from 10am on weekdays to cater to those in need of a coffee fix to kick start their day—is often populated with regulars who enjoy the friendly faces behind the bar and reasonable prices of their beverages. Along with the wealth of available drinks, including their popular sangria, Bar El Born has a range of snacks, such as sandwiches and empanadas, making it a suitable spot for a casual pause any time of the day.

• Casa Lolea

  A harmony of tapas and vermouth, this bar is situated at the top of the district and has a very local vibe. Having only opened two years ago, the vermuteria attracts a regular influx of clientele seeking quality food and drinks at affordable prices. Despite predominantly focusing on vermouth, the bar also offers artisan sangria, popular amongst frequenters. Trevor, 38, from Ireland, insists, “It’s the only place I come to when I want sangria, and I’m a big fan of their tapas dishes, such as the bravas because they use quality ingredients that make their food tastier than most.” The mindful presentation of food and drinks, and sophisticated decor and fine details—where even their trademark bottles are splashed with the bar’s colour scheme, with a matching bottle opener attached—all give Casa Lolea an edge over the others.

• Antic Teatre

  Originally constructed in 1650, patrons of this charming bar can still observe its theatre roots in the layout and restored features. Besides now being a place where many people go for a slow drink after a busy day, Antic Teatre continues to be used for plays, performances and artistic projects to this day. The creative space is located close to the emblematic Palau de la Música and is easily overlooked for those none the wiser about its spectacular indoor-outdoor courtyard hidden within. The large tree growing in the middle of the space is adorned with birdcages and lights, giving the space an aesthetically pleasing and somewhat magical dimension. The terrace is perhaps responsible for the calming atmosphere of the bar, where groups of friends and families come to enjoy the surroundings with a beer, glass of wine or €5 cocktail, and perhaps catch a show or concert at the same time.