Joanic. Walk along C. Pi i Maragall and take the 1st left. To get a cab home, come back to Pi i Maragall. Cover €12 with 1 drink, €15 with 2 drinks until 3am. Free with flyer. Open Th 1-5am, F-Sa 1-6am.
Tibidabo
MIRABLAU
P. Dr. Andreu
BAR, NIGHTCLUB
934 18 58 79 www.mirablaubcn.com
With easily the best view in Tibidabo and arguably the best view in Barcelona, Mirablau is a favorite with posh internationals and the younger crowd. It also happens to be near the top of Collserola mountain range’s highest peak. Reasonable drinks for the area (cocktails €7-9.50) and a view that will leave you feeling like you’ve ascended to heaven—a heaven that plays the Village People—earns this bar a Let’s Go thumbpick. A relaxed bar and lounge area upstairs changes into a energy-filled dance floor on the lower level, leaving those with two left feet room to spill out onto the terrace.
Take the L7 to Avinguda de Tibidabo or the Tramvia Blau to Pl. del Doctor Andreu. From the metro, walk up the mountain on Av. de Tibidabo to Plaça Dr. Andreu. From the tram, it’s to your left when facing the city. Credit card minimum Th-Sa €4.70. Drinks discounted M-Sa before 11pm, Su before 6pm. Beer and wine €1.80-6. Cocktails €7-9.50. Open M-Th 11am-4:30am, F-Sa 11am-5:45am.
MERBEYÉ
Plaça Dr. Andreu
BAR
934 34 00 35
More like a den than the clifflike Mirablau on the opposite side of the road, Merbeyé provides a classy, red-velvet atmosphere for those looking to embrace the romantic side of the picturesque surroundings. With a lounge whose lights are so low that seeing your companion may be a problem, Merbeyé creates the perfect setting to bring a date or possibly find another at the seemingly neverending bar. Smooth jazz serenades throughout, and with just one Mirabeye (Cava Brut, cherry brandy, and Cointreau; €9-10) you’ll be guaranteed to find yourself at the requisite level of chill. Take the L7 to Avinguda de Tibidabo or the Tramvia Blau to Pl. del Doctor Andreu. From the metro, walk up the mountain on Av. de Tibidabo to Plaça Dr. Andreu. From the tram, it’s to your back when facing the city. Non-alcoholic drinks €8-9. Cocktails €9-10. Food €2-7.60. Open W 7pm-1am, Th noon-2am, F-Sa noon-4am, Su noon-2am.
ARTS AND CULTURE
Music and Dance
For comprehensive guides of large events and information on cultural activities in the city, contact the Institut de Cultura de Barcelona (ICUB) (Palau de la Virreina, La Rambla, 99 93 316 10 00 www.bcn.cat/cultura Open daily 10am-8pm) or the the Guía del Ocio ( www.guiadelociobcn.com).
Although a destination for musicians year-round, Barcelona especially perks up during the warmer months with an influx of touring bands and impressive music festivals. The biggest and arguably baddest of these is the three-day electronic music festival Sónar (www.sonar.es) taking place in mid-June, which attracts internationally renowned DJs, electronica fans, and party people from all over the world. The Grec summer festival (www.bcn.cat/grec) takes place throughout the summer months, using mutiple venues throughout the city to host international music, theater, and dance. The indie-centric Primavera Sound (www.primaverasound.com) at the end of May is also quickly becoming a regional must-see. More information on local festivals is available in the Mondo Sonoro, which lists happenings across the world.
Classical and Opera
PALAU DE LA MÚSICA CATALANA
St. Francesc de Paula, 2
L’EIXAMPLE
90 244 28 82 www.palaumusica.org
Although the Bach- and Verdi-studded stage still hosts primarily classical concerts, this modernista structure also hosts a surprising variety of musical acts almost every night. Over 300 performances of choral and orchestral pieces, pop, acoustic, jazz, and flamenco grace its stage every year, including those from its very own Orfeo Català (Catalan choir) for which the building was constructed. If you’re just looking for an excuse to see the breathtaking Secret Garden-esque interior without a tour (or you really like giant air-driven, tubed instruments), drop by for one of their frequent and cheap organ performances—they need them to keep the organ pipes clean.
Jaume I. Facing Via Laietana from the Plaça de l’Angel exit, take a left onto the road. Walk for 10min. and take a right onto the plaza-like C. Sant Pere Mas Alt. Check the Guía del Ocio for listings. Concert tickets €8-175. Box office open M-Sa 10am-9pm, Su from 2hr. before show time. No concerts in Aug.
GRAN TEATRE DEL LICEU
La Rambla, 51-59
LAS RAMBLAS
93 485 99 13 www.liceubarcelona.com
A Barcelona institution since its founding in 1847, the Gran Teatre del Liceu is actively reclaiming its role as the premier venue for upscale performances after being closed due to fire in 1994. Classical, opera, and ballet grace the stage of its impressively restored auditorium, while a smaller reception room hosts discussions about the pieces and smaller events. If you’re afraid of committing to a ticket, drop in for a tour and hope to catch a sneakpeak of the rehearsal for the night’s performance.
Liceu. Face the plaza and the house with umbrellas on its side and walk to your right down La Rambla. Teatre is about a block away. Tickets available at box office, online, or through ServiCaixa. Box office open M-F 1:30-8pm.
Pop and Rock ’n’ Roll
RAZZMATAZZ
C. Pamplona, 88 and Almogàvers, 122
LAS RAMBLAS
93 272 09 10 www.salarazzmatazz.com
This massive, converted warehouse hosts big-name popular acts from reggae to electropop and indie to metal. The big room packs the popular draw (bands like Motorhead, Alice in Chains, and Gossip), while the smaller rooms hide up-and-comers like the Vivian Girls. Wherever there isn’t a throng of people for the concerts, you’ll find a young crowd pulsing to the beat of one of their nightly DJs. The labyrinthine nightclub spans across multiple floors in two buildings, connected by industrial stairwells and a rooftop walkway—definitely not intended for the navigationally deficient.
Bogatell. Walk down the diagonal street (C. Pere IV) away from the plaza and take the 1st slight left onto C. Pamplona. Razzmatazz is immediately on the right. Tickets available online through website, TelEntrada, or Ticketmaster. Tickets €12-22.
SALA APOLO
Nou de la Rambla, 113
BARCELONETA
93 441 40 01 www.sala-apolo.com
Host to major indie acts that come through the area (think Crystal Castles and Nouvelle Vague) as well as some touring hip hop and electronica artists. A regular Rumba club on Wednesday nights features a different saucy band every week, and popular Nasty Mondays (midnight, €11) and Nasty Tuesdays (midnight, €8) shake up the atypical party nights of the week.
Paral-lel. Walk along Parallel with Montjuïc to your right. Take a hard right onto Nou de la Rambla. Not to be confused with Teatre Apolo, which is on Av. Parallel. Tickets available on website. Rumba tickets €6-10. Other concert tickets €15-23.
Folk and Jazz
JAMBOREE
Plaça Reial, 17
LAS RAMBLAS
93 319 17 89 www.masimas.com
The black-and-white portraits of jazz musicians lining the walls tell of the club’s long-standing history. Jamboree has been hosting jazz acts for over 50 years, and manages to mix this rich history with a surprising dose of relevant contemporary artists—expect to hear a Billie Holiday tribute one night and the Markus Strickland Quartet the next. If you’re looking for something a little less predictable, their WTF Jam Sessions are popular with local musicians and will only cost you €4 to peep.
Liceu. Facing the house with the dragon and umbrellas on it, walk down La Rambla to your right and take a left onto C. Ferran. Take the 1st right to enter Plaça Reial. Jamboree is in the far corner to your right. Tickets available through TelEntrada. Jazz tickets €10-25 (normally €10-15), Su jam session €4, flamenco €6. Jazz performances Tu-Su 9 and 11pm, check site for exact times as some performances start at 8pm. WTF Jam Sessions M 9pm-1:30am. Upstairs Tarantos ho
lds flamenco shows daily 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30pm.
Theater
TEATRE LLIURE
Plaça Margarida Xirgu, 1
LA RIBERA
93 218 92 51 www.teatrelliure.com
Established in 1976 by the artsy inhabitants of Gràcia, the Teatre Lliure has become known for presenting works in Catalan, including contemporary pieces and classics from around the globe, and many original Catalan pieces birthed from its own theater cooperative. The present location at the foot of Montjuïc has housed the theater since 2001 but still maintains the feel of its bohemian homeland. Most tickets are more than reasonably priced, and many include entrance to a discussion after the show with the crew and theater critics.
Espanya. Face Montjuïc and go right on Av. Parallel. Take a right onto C. de Lleida and a left through the gate to enter the plaza. Tickets available by box office or ServiCaixa. Some original productions include talk with the artists and critics afterward; check website for info. Language of performance listed on website. Art exhibitions relating to current shows. Tickets €15-24. Art exhibitions on view on days of performances Tu-F 6-8:30pm, Sa-Su 4-6pm.
TEATRE GREC
Passeig de Santa Madrona, 36
LA RIBERA
93 316 10 00 www.bcn.cat/grec
No, this theater isn’t left over from the good ol’ days, no matter what its name may imply. This open-air Grecian-style amphitheater instead dates just from 1929, when it was carved out of an old stone quarry for the International Exhibition that gave birth to many of Montjuïc’s existing spectacles. These days the theater hosts a range of theater, opera, dance, and music performances during the summer months and is the main venue of the city’s annual Festival Grec, which takes place from mid-June to early August. Be sure to bring mosquito repellent—being nestled in the Jardins Amargós comes with a price.
Espanya. Head through the 2 bell towers marking the entrance to Montjuïc and follow the escalators to the top. When facing the palace-like art museum, walk along the street to the left and be sure to stay left as it breaks. Teatre Grec is on this road (Passeig de Santa Madrona) just after the Ethnological Museum.. Tickets available at Tiquet Rambles (Rambla, 99 93 316 11 11) Tiquet Rambles open daily 10am-8:30pm), Telentrada, and ServiCaixa. Most theater performances in Catalan or Spanish.
TEATRE NACIONAL DE CATALONIA
Plaça de les Arts, 1
BARCELONETA
93 306 57 00 www.tnc.es
This modern structure designed by Ricardo Bofill is a confusing steel and glass nod to the Parthenon. Inaugrated on September 11, 1997, the National Day of Catalonia, it has since been posed as the next cultural center of Barcelona, with an adjacent auditorium with a capacity of 36,000 slated to be completed in the near future. The two performance halls of the main building host contemporary Catalan and foreign plays, classics, and traditional Catalan dances and music from time to time, while the second building of the complex houses all of the workshops that make the stage tick. Take advantage of youth, if you have it—tickets for shows start from €12 if you’re under 25.
Glories. Face the rocketshaped Torre Agbar and take the 1st road to your right, Av. Meridiana. Teatre Nacional de Catalonia will be on your right. Tickets available through TelEntrada, ServiCaixa, Tiquet Rambla, and box office. Tickets €15-32, under 25 from €12. Box office and info open W-F 3-8pm, Sa 3-9:30pm, Su 3-6pm.
Festivals
Barcelona loves to party. Although Let’s Go fully supports this endeavor to its fullest extent, we still need to include some nitty-gritty things like accommodations and, you know, food, so we can’t possibly list all of the annual festivals around Barcelona. For a full list of what’s going on during your visit, be sure to stop by the tourist information office once you arrive in the city. As a teaser, here are a few of the biggest, most student-relevant shindigs:
FESTA DE SANT JORDI
La Rambla
This provides a more intelligent, civil alternative to Valentine’s Day. Celebrating both St. George (the city’s patron saint) and the deaths of Shakespeare and Cervantes, Barcelona gathers along Las Ramblas in search of flowers and books to gift to lovers.
April 23.
LA DIADA
Fossar de les Moreres
This festival is Catalonia’s national holiday celebrating the end of the city’s siege in 1714 as well as of reclaiming national (whoops, we mean regional) identity after Franco. Celebrations will be had and flags will be waved.
Sept 11.
FESTA DE SANT JOAN
The beachfront
These days light a special fire in every pyromaniac’s heart as fireworks, bonfires, and torches light the city and waterfront in celebration of the coming of summer.
June 23-24.
FESTA MERCÈ
Placa de Sant Jaume
This multi-week celebration of Barcelona’s patron saint Our Lady of Mercy, it is the city’s main annual celebration. More than 600 free performances and 2000 entertainers cloak the city in multiple venues, all of which are free. There is a contest in the Placa de Juame every year in which contestants have to build a human tower and have a small child climb up it.
Weeks before and after Sept 24.
BARCELONA PRIDE
Parade ends in Avinguda Maria Cristina
This week is the Mediterannean’s biggest GLBT celebration and takes place throughout Catalonia. Multiple venues throughout the city and surrounding region take active part throughout the festival, culminating with a parade and festival on the final weekend.
Last week of June.
Fútbol
Although Barcelona technically has two football teams, Fútbol Club Barcelona (FCB) and the Real Club Deportivo Español de Barcelona (RCD), you can easily pass a stay in the city without ever hearing about the latter. It is impossible to miss the former, however, and for good reason. Besides being a really incredible athletic team, FCB lives up to its motto as “more than a club.”
During the years of Francisco Franco, FCB was forced to change its name and crest in order to banish any nationalistic references to Cataluña, and thereafter became a rallying point for oppressed Catalan separatists. Once the original name and crest were reinstated after Franco’s fall in 1974, the team retained its symbolic importance and is still seen as a sign of democracy, identity, and pride for the region.
This passion is not entirely altruistic, however—FCB has been one of the best teams in the world in recent years. In 2009 they were the first team to win six out of six major competitions in a single year. Their world-class training facilities (thanks in part to the 1992 Olympics) supply many World Cuppers each year, leaving many Barcelonans annoyed that they are not permitted to compete as their own nation, similar to Ireland or Wales in the United Kingdom. Much to the chagrin of some hardheaded FCB fans, Spain won the World Cup in 2010.
Because FCB fervor is so pervasive, you will not need to head to Camp Nou to join in the festivites—almost every bar off the tourist track boasts a screen dedicated to their games. Sit down, kick back with a brew, and just don’t root for the competition.
ESSENTIALS
Practicalities
• TOURIST OFFICES: Plaça de Catalonia is the main office along with Pl. de Sant Jaume. (Pl. de Catalonia, 17S 93 285 38 34 www.barcelonaturisme.com Catalonia, underground across from El Corte Inglès. Look for the pillars with the letter i on top. Free maps; brochures on sights, transportation, tours, and about everything else you could want to find; booking service for last-minute accommodations; gift shop; money exchange; and box office (Caixa de Catalonia). Open daily 9am-9pm.) Plaça de Sant Jaume (C. Ciutat, 293 270 24 29 Jaume I, located in the Ajuntament building in Plaça Sant Jaume. Open M-F 9am-8pm, Sa 10am-8pm, Su and holidays 10am-2pm. Closed Jan 1 and Dec 25.) Oficina de Turisme de Barcelona (Palau Robert, Pg. de Gràcia, 107 93 238 80 91,012 in Catalonia www.gencat.es/probert Diagonal. Open M-Sa 10am-7pm, Su 10am-2pm. Closed Dec 25 and 26, and Jan 1 and 6.) Institut de Cultura de Barcelona (ICUB) (Palau de la
Virreina, La Rambla, 99 93 316 10 00 www.bcn.cat/cultura Liceu. Info office open daily 10am-8pm. Estació Barcelona-Sants (Pl. Països Catalans90 224 02 02 Sants-Estació Info and last-minute accommodation booking. Open June 24-Sept 24 daily 8am-8pm; Sept 24-June 23 M-F 8am-8pm, Sa-Su 8am-2pm.)
• TOURS: Self-guided tours of Gothic, Romanesque, modernista, and contemoprary Barcelona available; pick up pamphlets in tourism offices. A wide variety of paid walking toursalso exist, with information available in the brochures at the tourism office. The Pl. de Catalonia tourist office hosts its own walking tours and has information about bike tours. (93 285 38 32. €12, ages 4-12 €5). Catalonia, underground across from El Corte Inglès. Look for the pillars with the letter i on top. 2hr. walking tour of the Barri Gòtic. Tours daily at 10am (English) and Sa at noon (Catalan and Spanish Picasso tours (93 285 38 32) of Barcelona Catalonia Check for English, Spanish, and Catalan tour availability. Tour includes entrance to Museu Picasso. €19, ages 4-12 €7 Tu, Th, Sa 4pm (English) and Sa at 4pm (Spanish or Catalan tours with pre-booking).
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