Streetlife: Parlament
CRUM. Parlament 15
Crum offers quality, friendly potatoes. The idea behind this starchy snack shop started with a fourth generation potato connoisseur and the desire to improve the standard patatas bravas dish. “Most of the time when you order patatas bravas they’re a big disappointment,” said Borja, who has a stake in Crum, which he admitted makes him biased towards their potatoes.
1UNIK. Parlament 13
A little less than a year ago, Clara moved her upcycling shop to this popular street. “I have too many creative ideas bouncing around my head to work a desk job,” she said. So she spends her time refurbishing old, battered things, making something new and valuable. In other words, upcycling. Clara explained, “It’s not recycling—taking a glass bottle and making another glass bottle. There’s a ton of work that goes into each commissioned piece to transform it into a new form with new life, and I love it!”
BIG FAMILY KIDS. Parlament 25
This kids’ clothing store is not only practical, but also adorable. Leopard leggings, velour tracksuits, handmade tutus and colourful corduroys line the racks, alongside miniature backpacks stitched from different fabrics to create animal faces and other youthful trinkets. Owner Laia opened her doors last May. She takes great pride in her new styles crafted from soft fabrics, all made in Spain.
ESCALERA DE INCENDIOS. Parlament 26
March 7th will be the third anniversary of this contemporary art gallery. Curators Maria and Anna always try to include young, emerging artists in their exhibitions, which generally last two months. “During that time, we ask every artist to plan activities and events that will attract and involve the community, along with being available to the public through live chats and gallery appearances,” said Maria.
CAFÉ COMETA. Parlament 20
Sophie, 26, from London and a waitress at Cometa since November, said, “Saturdays and Sundays we get a ton of hipster families in here, but during the week we also get a good mix of normal locals. Old people, people with dogs, regulars.” She enjoys getting to know this eccentric customer base in between passing out slices of homemade cakes and freshly made hummus during the café’s busy rush.
BODEGA VINITO. Parlament 27
With the entire front of this buzzing bar open, patrons spill out onto the street, chatting and sipping Spanish and Catalan wines. Manuel, 48, from Paris, said that he comes to Barcelona every two to three weeks and makes a point to stop in here. “It’s an authentic place,” he said. “The people are great and it’s cheap. The atmosphere is welcoming and communal, to the point that it feels like you’re having a casual drink in a friend’s garage.”
CRYSTALIA. Parlament 36
At this glimmering, extravagant store, crystal is their passion. Whether you’re looking for a specialised birthday present, corporate gift, trophy or statement piece for your home, this is the place to explore. Maybe you’ll fancy something anomalous like the large, white leopard perched in the window, a glass slipper or a fragile bouquet of sparkling flowers.
SIRVENT. Parlament 56
Sirvent serves possibly the best Orxata on the planet in an old-school ice cream parlour setting. The company was started in 1920 by nougat-maker D. Tomás Sirvent Planelles, whose son moved the shop to its current location in 1943. Since then, the Sirvent team has worked to diversify their products while maintaining the quality and traditional manufacturing methods that have been the trademark of the company from the beginning.
PASSATGE TAINOS. Parlament 35
Tainos is an eclectic place with mismatched furniture, chandeliers and window frames hanging from the walls, and it has gradually transformed from a clothes shop into a bar. “There are enough tables and random seats to accommodate a bigger group of friends, which is nice,” said Xavi, 31, from Barcelona. “It’s definitely a good place to stop in when you’re out for drinks in Sant Antoni, even if you don’t fit in with the hipster scene.”