Barcelona: Data Sheet
05-13-2013, 03:09 PM
BCN is a tough one to crack. There is so much here to see, you could take six months easily. I have been here for five months off and on since late September. Working most of the days/weekends, but I have explored a lot.
Firstly, as G says, stay away from La Rambla, tourist hell equivalent to Times Square. Don't bring your car, parking is a pain. The metro system here is one of the best I have seen. Taxis are everywhere, any hour.
Friday night is Barcelona's night out, with Saturday being second. The locals are pretty cold to newbies/new friends. My advice,(if you are not here long) go for the tourists first, expats second, Spanish third, and Catalan girls last. Catalan girls are difficult to catch. There are plenty of beautiful women to go around, just got to be in the right area at the right time. Usually the locals have dinner at nine or ten, hit the bars at 11 or 12, clubs after one am. Bars close at 3, clubs at 6.
Locations I like, Marmalade in Raval, I was in here a couple Friday nights ago on a date, plenty of nice looking women. La Luna in Born for drinks. Take a date to Rubi bar in Born, nice mood setting, walk her by the Opera house on the way, super beautiful building tucked out of most tourists view. Hell, see a Flamenco show here at the Opera house, I have heard it is the best in town, I have been trying to get there for months. La Ovella Negra near the top of La Rambla is usually packed with tourists, I think a ho(s)tel or something must be getting kickbacks or something. On the top of Hotel Duquesa de Cardona there is an excellent terrace bar, go there at night to have a nice view over Barcaloneta. There are many sweet bars in Born and Gotic, just wander and pick one. Gracia is a really neat neighborhood, this is were most of the younger/hipper people that keep Barcelona going live. A lot of expats here, worth exploring. I didn't spend much time up there, but what I saw, I like.
Clubs: I never go before 12, usually closer to one or two. Two hot spots for all the tourists Opium and Shoku. Another club is tucked up by Gracia is Suttons. Bring your VIP game, as table service appears to have taken over here. Lots and lots of talent. I only was there once and they were playing top 40 instead of house. Bling bling is nearby, never been. I like the club Be Cool a short walk from Suttons. Nice underground club, have heard some great djs here, but I don't think it would be great for pickup, more of a bring your own talent place. More serious about the music and not the show. Apolo, go here Monday night, I have been trying to get here for so long, and work has not made it possible. This place is open seven days a week usually. Always something going down, Mondays are legendary though. Summer is coming, and that means Mac Arena Mar will have Sunday sets back. This club is on the beach, and gets hopping after 11(a little earlier due to it being a work night I suppose). A lot more people outside the club on the sand, if you do this BYOB. The club is just a roped in area anyways, probably best to get entry and float in and out. Razzmatazz, this place should be seen, super club with five different scenes, usually a younger crowd. Most club's cover charge includes one free drink.