The Best Bars in Catalunya

Set within the Monument Hotel, this serene space offers inviting lounge areas and a tranquil swimming pool. The culinary experience, crafted by acclaimed chefs Martín Berasategui and Gabriele Milani, is available year-round - though the terrace, open exclusively in spring and summer, offers a particularly enchanting setting for dining al fresco.

Led by Marc Álvarez and Simone Caporale, this acclaimed venue is considered one of the finest cocktail bars in the world. It is divided into two distinct spaces - the vibrant Drinkery House and the more intimate Esencia. The menu features over 25 expertly crafted cocktails, alongside a thoughtful selection of non-alcoholic creations. With impeccable service and a refined yet welcoming atmosphere, it’s a standout destination for cocktail enthusiasts and style seekers alike.

A bar with a classic ambience where the focus - as the name suggests - is on the classic dry martini. Owner Javier de las Muelas is a legend of the local cocktail scene and of course also serves other drinks and delicious snacks.

While many bars lean into spectacle, this one is defined by its focus on essence. A quiet favourite among discerning spirits aficionados, it offers depth over drama - yet still embraces imagination. Soon to open is Stravinsky’s Parfumerie, an inventive extension featuring a cocktail bar, an experimental lab, and a fictional museum dedicated to a Russian perfumer and alchemist. Innovation is at the heart of the operation, with house-made liqueurs and bespoke spirits crafted through techniques such as Rotavapor distillation, maceration, fermentation and low-temperature cooking. The bar pays subtle homage to its past life as a traditional grocer’s, preserving the original counter and a striking display of spice jars suspended in formaldehyde, a nod to both history and experimentation.

This bar makes you feel like you're in the last century. The charming 14 de la Rosa focuses entirely on sherry culture, whether straight or in cocktails. But it's worth a visit even if you're not a sherry aficionado: there are good wines and excellent coffee.

A serene escape high above Passeig de Gràcia, Terrat offers contemporary cuisine crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Sunset is the prime time to visit, when cocktails are served against the backdrop of golden hour. Open from April to October, with access reserved for hotel guests from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. On weekends, don’t miss Gold & Dusk - a sophisticated series of DJ sessions, tapas and cocktails.

Opened in 2018 and now helmed by Ignacio Ussía - whose credentials include acclaimed establishments such as Vía Veneto, Ideal, and the world-renowned Gaggan - this venue delivers an experience as polished as its pedigree suggests. Guests can begin with a refined drink and an elegant bite in the lounge, or proceed to the tasting room for a curated menu that leans confidently into Asian influences. Each course may be paired with inventive mini-cocktails, described by the team as “a symbiosis of solid and liquid”, a concept that speaks to both playfulness and precision. The cocktail menu is equally arresting: signature serves arrive in bespoke vessels, often with theatrical flair. Highlights include the smoky allure of the Colima de Jalisco and the mysteriously named Ley Seca, whose presentation is as bold as its flavour. This is a destination where gastronomy meets spectacle - and neither takes a back seat.

There has been a gimlet bar at this location since the 70s. After a gentle renovation, the Marlowe Bar inspired by the fictional detective Phillip Marlowe - also a lover of gin cocktails - opened its doors. This is excellent here, but there are many other drinks.

This bar in the Eixample district has been around for over thirty years. It attracts an older clientele, many of whom are regulars. They appreciate the elegant atmosphere and the large selection of cocktails, ranging from classics to signature drinks.

When you enter Boadas, you are transported back in time. The cocktail bar was founded in 1933 and is the oldest in the city. Illustrious guests such as Hemingway, Picasso and Dalì have drunk here. The team naturally masters all the classics.

Perched atop the iconic Hotel Majestic on Passeig de Gràcia, La Dolce Vitae pairs sweeping city views with elevated Mediterranean cuisine by celebrated chef Nandu Jubany, alongside executive chef David Romero. A refined selection of signature cocktails and a curated wine list completes the experience. Open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. year-round, the terrace is a timeless choice for stylish dining above the city.

At The Barcelona Edition, just beside the Santa Caterina market, this rooftop spot offers an informal Mediterranean menu with modern flair. Guests can enjoy lunch, dinner, sunset cocktails, and weekend DJ sessions in a relaxed yet stylish setting. Tuesdays are dedicated to the aperitif, with a sunset music session that sets the perfect tone for the evening.

Atop the Grand Hotel Central on Via Laietana, this minimalist rooftop offers sweeping views over the Gothic Quarter. With an exclusive bar, Balinese beds, and a striking infinity pool, it’s a refined escape above the city. This year, a series of full moon events invites guests to stargaze through professional telescopes, paired with exquisite desserts from L’Atelier, the acclaimed Catalan patisserie.

Tucked away in the Hotel Borneta, in the heart of the Born district, this intimate rooftop terrace overlooks the leafy expanse of Parc de la Ciutadella. A standout feature is The Egg, a striking sculptural piece by Argentine artist Pilar Zeta, lending the space a surreal, contemporary edge. From 5pm, guests can enjoy a menu of cocktails, appetisers, and light snacks - with drinks crafted by mixologist Giorgio Savini, whose creations blend precision with playful sophistication.

At the Almanac Hotel, the rooftop terrace offers a unique perspective on the city. By day, binoculars are placed throughout, inviting guests to take in views of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks, with QR codes providing cultural and historical context. By night, the mood shifts: the cocktail menu is inspired by constellations and planets, while esoteric experiences such as tarot readings and astrological chart sessions add a mystical touch to the evening.

Known as the “hotel of a thousand eyes” for its striking architecture, this design-led property stands proudly on Via Laietana. Its rooftop features a spectacular glass-walled swimming pool with views of Barcelona Cathedral and sweeping 360º panoramas over the city below. The menu offers refined snacks and tapas from La Passhola, paired with expertly crafted cocktails. Culinary direction comes courtesy of Michelin-starred chef Romain Fornell.

For over a decade, this venue has occupied the former Harry’s Bar and is now run by the Pernia family, a respected name in Barcelona’s cocktail scene. At the helm is Adriana Chía - the first woman to win the prestigious World Class competition and one of the most celebrated mixologists in the industry. The bar’s name pays tribute to a character from Casino Royale, a nod that carries through to a selection of cocktails inspired by Bond himself. Here, the classics are reimagined with elegance and restraint, no theatrics, just precision and craft.

Rising high above the city on the 25th floor of the Nobu Hotel, near Sants station, this is one of Barcelona’s highest terraces. The menu features informal tapas, best enjoyed with a cocktail as the sun sets over the skyline. Saturdays from 7pm bring curated music sessions, adding a laid-back rhythm to the panoramic views.

Opened just two years ago, this venue is the European counterpart to the legendary Florería Atlántico in Buenos Aires, widely regarded as one of the world’s top fifty bars. Conceived by the visionary Tato Giovannoni, and backed by notable names such as Diego Cabrera of Salmon Gurú and entrepreneur Alejandro Resnik, the bar brings Argentine spirit to European soil with unmistakable flair. The concept is immersive: an underground space cloaked in shadowy, oceanic hues, evoking the mysterious ambience of a shipwreck resting on the seabed. Within this atmospheric setting, Argentina’s rich culinary heritage meets world-class mixology. The result is a seamless blend of tradition and innovation - bold, refined, and utterly transportive.

Perched on the sixth floor of The Serras Hotel, just moments from Port Vell and Barceloneta, this rooftop offers sweeping views of the Mediterranean and the marina. An infinity pool, chill-out lounge and refined atmosphere make it an ideal coastal escape. The menu focuses on tapas and Mediterranean dishes crafted with seasonal produce, while signature cocktails and laid-back music set the tone for long, elegant afternoons by the sea.