Barcelona is one of Europe's big cocktail cities: bars from the world rankings hide behind a fridge door or a fake shop front, and at the classic bar on Aribau the martini count runs into the millions. Dry Martini and Monk come from my list of saved places; I added the other four based on Google Maps ratings and travel guide picks. The descriptions are compiled from Google Maps reviews. For an overview of all the city's bars, see this guide.
Prices are Google's average spend per person, valid as of 11 October 2026. Rate: 1 € ≈ $1.12.
In short
- The famous speakeasy: Paradiso in El Born, entered through a fridge door in a pastrami shop. On weekdays, come at opening time or expect a queue.
- Its little sibling: Monk, a few streets away, hidden behind a "grocery" front, with a DJ in the back room.
- The classic: Dry Martini on Aribau, where the counter of martinis served has passed a million.
- Unpretentious, with vinyl: Two Schmucks in El Raval, where the bartenders play the records.
- Late and fun: Kahiki tiki bar is open until 3:00 every night, and Espit Chupitos has 600+ shots at 2–3 € each.
El Born
Paradiso
El Born · cocktail bar, speakeasy · 10–30 € (≈$11–34) · Mon–Wed 17:00–2:30, Thu–Sun 16:30–2:30
Google Maps · website · Carrer de Rera Palau, 4
According to Google Maps reviews (4.3 from 7,500+): from the street it's a small pastrami deli, and the bar itself is hidden behind what looks like a fridge door. Inside is one of the most beautiful rooms in the city, with the menu on screens and cocktails served with real theatre; the bartenders explain every drink and are happy to pick something to your taste. Guest bartenders from abroad are frequent, and the pastrami sandwich gets as much praise as the drinks. The downsides: evening queues (ask at the deli counter how entry works that day) and some awkward corner seats.
Monk
El Born · cocktail bar, speakeasy · 10–20 € (≈$11–22) · Mon–Thu 18:00–2:30, Fri–Sat 17:00–3:00, Sun 17:00–2:30
Google Maps · website · Carrer dels Abaixadors, 10
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 4,900+): from the same team as Paradiso, entered through a corner shop dressed up as a grocery. There are two rooms: the back one has a bar styled like a church altar and a DJ, and the menu comes in a record sleeve. Reviewers praise the pretty signature cocktails, proper alcohol-free options and the fact that you can book. Others find it too loud and club-like, the crowd mostly tourists, and the drinks small for the price.
El Raval
TWO SCHMUCKS
El Raval · cocktail bar · 10–20 € (≈$11–22) · Mon–Thu 19:00–1:00, Fri–Sat 19:00–3:00, Sun 19:00–2:00
Google Maps · Carrer de Joaquín Costa, 52
According to Google Maps reviews (4.3 from 670+): a dive bar on the outside and a serious cocktail bar at heart. A refit kept the old atmosphere and added a DJ booth behind the bar, so the bartenders spin vinyl between drinks: hip hop, R&B, old Spanish hits. Reviewers remember the tzatziki martini and the curry colada, and above all a friendly, unpretentious team. Some find the cocktails on the sweet side, and on weeknights it can be almost empty.
Eixample
Dry Martini
Esquerra de l'Eixample · classic cocktail bar · 10–30 € (≈$11–34) · Mon–Thu 13:00–2:30, Fri–Sat 13:00–3:00, Sun 15:00–1:00
Google Maps · website · Carrer d'Aribau, 162
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 3,300+): a legend of the Barcelona cocktail scene, with jacketed bartenders, old armchairs and a counter showing more than a million martinis served here. The martini is the obvious order, but many also recommend the wasabi mule. Free snacks come with the drinks. On the downside, water costs extra and service slows at peak times.
Kahiki
Esquerra de l'Eixample · tiki bar · 10–20 € (≈$11–22) · daily 18:00–3:00
Google Maps · website · Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 581
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 6,300+): a tropical tiki bar near Universitat with a carefully done interior and cocktails served as a show. Reviewers praise creative drinks like the coco loco, the music and very welcoming staff, and it's usually not crammed, so you can actually talk. The one complaint: for some, the presentation beat the taste.
Espit Chupitos
Esquerra de l'Eixample · shot bar · 1–10 € (≈$1–11) · daily 22:30–2:30, Fri–Sat until 3:00
Google Maps · website · Carrer d'Aribau, 77
According to Google Maps reviews (4.2 from 1,800+): not a cocktail bar in the strict sense but a shot bar with 600+ options at 2–2.50 €: some are set on fire, some smoke, one comes with a head massage. A good place to start a night out with friends; the crowd is mostly 18 to 25. There are also complaints about rude behaviour from some bartenders.
One last thing
Barcelona's cocktail bars come alive late, but the famous ones queue from opening time: at Paradiso it's easiest to arrive around 17:00 on a weekday, and at Monk it's worth booking a table. For a classic without the queue, Dry Martini works even in the afternoon, since it opens at 13:00.
More on Barcelona: best bars, Sant Antoni and Esquerra de l'Eixample bars, old town bars, nightlife, craft beer, rooftop bars.