Anyone into the dance music scene (massive in Barcelona, by the way) will appreciate this one.
Barcelona Summer Week! Between the 3rd and the 9th of August, Barcelona will be playing host to the likes of David Guetta, DJ Tiesto, Armand Van Burren and Fedde le Grande, and over 100 more.
It’s not one single event, rather an invasion. It will take place across 30 clubs and 7 beaches with a normal attendance of over 50,000 people.
As I said, the line-up’s extensive, so if you want to see, just follow the link here to the Barcelona Summer Week website, also your one-stop shop for buying the tickets.
Get the party started!
It’s getting hot in town. Go out around midday and you might melt! Your clothes stick to your skin, and you realize that you’re onto your third or fourth bottle of water (ahem, beer).
Well the crafty Barcelonans have just the solution! In the North of the city, in the privileged and vibrant district of Gracia, you’ll find El Parque de la Creueta del Coll, complete with open air swimming pool.
Once a quarry, this site is now home to a very chilled-out Summer spot. There is quite a spectacular sculpture by Chilladas suspended above the pool called ‘Elogio al agua’ which means, ‘I praise the water’, and hopefully you will too.
It’s within walking distance of the famous Parc Guell, and could be just what you need to cool down after a walk around Gaudi’s spectacular park.
So bring a picnic, take a swim and relax under the palm trees away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
A day’s entrance to the pool is only €3, and the closest metro stop is 5-10 away called Penitents.
As you may know, three of our hostels (Sound, Mar and Ramblas) are in the lively, fast-paced and often mischievous district called El Raval.
Which is why we’re particularly excited about this party, because it’s the annual street party of our beloved Raval.
The locals really get into their element here. The streets are decorated, and music and dancing rules the neighbourhood.
You’ll find plenty of live music, flamenco and tango shows and inevitably a lot of fireworks (we are in Spain, after all).
So, if you’re around on the 16th, 17th and 18th of July, and you want to party, head to the Contemporary Art Museum (MACBA), the Street Unió, the street Carme and la Rambla del Raval and the street Junta de Comerç, and you’ll while the day (and night) away in style.
Have fun!
Every summer Mr. PaellaMan comes to Barcelona Dream Hostel, to cook great paellas for the travelers! The spanish dinner it's every tuesday and friday from 8pm. The ticket cost 10€ and you get: paella, one glass of sangria, pa amb tomaquet and icecream!! Don't miss it!!
Montjuic is the place to be this Saturday! Between 8pm and 2am, there will be a free (yes, free) music festival going on all over the park.
Well, really it’s acts from many festivals coming together in the iconic Montjuic park complex to give everyone an incredible night.
There will be acts from big-name festivals, such as Sonar and Primavera sound alongside lesser-known cultural gems like the Catalan percussion festival. For sure there’s something going on to please everybody!
Now, Montjuic’s a big place and the acts will take place across 13 different locations around the park. So that you know who’s playing , when and where, here’s a link to a map with all this helpful stuff on.
Now what more could you want? Live music, sampled from Barcelona’s finest festivals, showcased all around beautiful Montjuic at absolutely no cost. I’m sure I’ll see you there!
How to get there: The main entrance to Montjuic is from Plaza España, connected to the L1(red) and L3(green) metro lines. Alternatively, take the L2 or L3 to parallel, where there is a funicular to the top.
If you are around Barcelona the night of the 23rd go to the beach, and believe me you have never seen a party like this before. This is the night of Sant Joan, one the craziest nights in Barcelona. Tradition says that this is the shortest night of the year, when the spring is gone and the summer arrives. Bonfires and fireworks are all over, music and champany, all to celebrate that the summer is here and t it’s time to enjoy the sun at the Mediterranean sea side.
The plan it’s to get some drinks, go to the beach and let the spirit of Sant Joan do the rest. There is a legend that says that the night of Sant Joan you can see the sun dancing while is rising!!! It might be that the sun dance, or it can be la sangria, or the rum. If you find a bonfire write a wish on a paper and trough it inside to burn. Fire is the purifying element which liberates us from misfortune, so let your dreams become truth.
To get to the beach area from any of Be Hostels, it’s better to do it walking or by public transport. The metro will be running all night long.
Let us share Sant Joan with you! Let’s share our magic night! THE SUMMER IS HERE!
Another one of Barcelona’s must-see music festivals, Sonar is back in town!
Between Thursday the 17th and Saturday the 20th, Barcelona will once again be alive with the Sonar buzz. Internationally renowned artists, DJs and audiovisual pioneers will be taking the city by storm.
The fun begins with Sonar de Día (Sonar by day), every day at 12:00 at CCCB.
On Friday and Saturday, this continues well into the early hours of the next day with Sonar de Noche (Sonar by night) at Fire Gran Via (M2)
2manydjs, The Chemical Brothers, Dizzee Rascal, Flying Lotus, Hot Chip and The Sugarhill Gang will be playing to name but a few (click here for full listing).
Sonar by night is mostly music based, but during the day sessions you can enjoy some alternative cinema, robotic art exhibitions and if you’re interested in producing your own music, then SonarPro is right up your street with `product demonstrations and opportunities to chat with experts and industry professionals.
The cost of a complete Sonar pass is €155, or €165 on the door.
Day and night tickets are available (for €45 and €65 respectively).
For details on how to get there, click me.
So rock out, have fun, and enjoy this City of Sound.
I walk to work every day down the Avenida Parallel, one of the city’s main thoroughfares. And never once have I thought “Maybe they should shut the traffic off for 30 hours and have a big party in the middle of the street.” Maybe I’m just lacking in imagination, but it would have seemed a little unfeasible anyway.
Well, they’ve found a way, and that’s precisely what they’re going to do! From 00:00am this Saturday, the 12th, until 11:00am on Sunday, traffic will be diverted away from this enormous street and the party can begin!
Avenida Parallel has been called “the Broadway of Barcelona” because of its many theatres and venues. This Saturday, the theatres will be coming out on the streets to you, with scenes from popular plays, comedy sketches and more.
There’s plenty of music and dancing as well: DJ sets, hip-hop, rumba, tango, samba, break-dancing and capoeira (which if I’m not wrong is half dance and half martial art).
The sports section will include athletics, tennis, basketball and of course, football.
See you there!
Do you think you have seen everything about Barcelona? Be hostels suggest you an alterative tour to discover the Olimpic Mountain called Montjuic.
Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and let us guide you through this little paradise of Barcelona. It is filled with history,culture,sport and art.With breathtaking panoramic views over Barcelona and the Mediterranean. We take the cable car to the "Castell de Montjuic" at the summit and make our way down through this green haven of Barcelona, where nature meets with culture.
Morning Adventure: 10am-14:30pm (Tues-Sun)PS! (Bring something to eat,we will break for a Pic-Nic in one of the gardens,comfortable shoes and sunscreen).
Sunset Magic fountain Adventure: 5pm-21:30pm (Thur-Sun).The tour finishes at the spectacular Magic Fountain show with lights and music in front of the old national palace at plaza Espanya.
The price is 25€ per person and includes: Funicular, Cable car, Friendly English speaking guide.
You can buy tickets at recepction or show up at the meeting point 15 min before the tour begin. Look for your guide wearing a black MDA t-shirt with orange baseball cap with a big smile. Meet in front of DinoPan, in the little square just up from Paralel metro station (the one ant the end of carrer Sant Pau). The meeting point is at walking distance from Barcelona Mar Hostela and Barcelona Sound Hostel.
Have fun amigos!
Hey everyone! Whatever your budget, we all appreciate getting something for nothing and the less you spend, the further you can go.
Which is why this one’s about things to do in Barcelona sin pagar, without spending a cent.
First up is Parc Guell. You’ve probably heard of it; it’s the park our man Gaudi designed and so is a bit like a big, free, open-air museum of some of his finest works. That’s up in the North of the city, and if you’re not in the mood for the walk, might cost you a bus ticket – but it’s well worth it.
Whilst you’re up there, you might also want to check out Parc de la crueta del coll. As parks go, it’s quite beautiful. As Barcelona parks go, it’s average. However, during the Summer months, the artificial lake becomes a public swimming pool so get your speedos on!
Montjuic’s next. Home to several interesting attractions, and just off Plaza Espanya. It’s said to have the largest Medieval Jewish cemetery in all of Europe. Just behind are the sprawling botanical gardens. There’s also an old military fort and watchtower, which back in the day was used to defend the city from the sea. Googling ‘Montjuic’, it should come up with all sorts of stuff about a magic fountain – and it’s true! Well, I don’t mean the magic bit, but there is a huge fountain which several nights a week (9pm) puts on a spectacular display for the public with lights, music, the works.
Just next to the fountain, you’ll also find the Caixa Forum, an art gallery showing temporary exhibitions from photography, through painting to sculptures and ceramics. Only one of a few free galleries I’ve tracked down, you could also pay a visit to Casa Asia which offers photography exhibitions, orientated unsurprisingly around Asian culture. That’s on Avinguda Diagonal, one block from the intersection with Passeig de Gracia.
If you take a left off La Rambla (facing up towards Plaza Catalunya), you should find, among other things, Foment de les Arts i del Disseny on Carrer dels Angels which covers pretty much anything to do with art and design. Then there’s Sala Metronom, strictly contemporary art in the Ciutat Vella on Carrer Fusina.
Providing you’re here on a Saturday, the Port Vell Antique Fair is a fairly good idea. Every Saturday from 10am to 8pm between Maremagnum and the Columbus statue, old dusty stuff galore!
So there you go, travelling doesn’t always have to break the bank.
Enjoy your time in Barcelona!
Walking Planets!
Great Deal only this weekend!!!! The new walking tour company of Barcelona, Walking Planets is offering their inaugural tour for FREE!!!!! This new company works with official local guides, who will show you the neighborhoods of Barna as they really are, and promise to make you feel as a real barcelonés by the end of the walk :)
The FREE tour this weekend (15th and 16th of May ) will guide you through the Raval area. The tours meets 9:50 am at the Columbus Monument, at the port end of Las Ramblas. (the nearest metro stop is “Drassanes” on the green metro line L3). The tour takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
To participate in the walking tour, you will need to send them an e-mail at info(at)walkingplanets.com (include the names of the person, the date you would like to go on, and the name of your hostel where you are staying at)
To find out more about them and their other tours visit www.walkingplanets.com
Yes, it’s that time of the year again!!! :) The Bike Show BCN (Festa de la Bici i dels Patins de Barcelona) is on this coming weekend. Barcelona’s biggest bicycle show, which brings together the fans of this wonderful way of transportation.
Bike enthusiasts gather on the Parc del Fòrum on the 15th and 16th of May for 2 days. (The nearest metro stop is the El Maresme Fórum of the yello line L4, but of course the best way to get there is no a bicycle, for which there will be free parking spaces at the fair. ) The event is free and there are plenty of activities to attend, such as BMX Freestyling and Flatland show, Dirt Jumping, Freeride Woodpark, workshops and presentations on GPS, Trial, Electric Bikes, Skatebikes, and much much more. The programs are from 10 am until 8 pm on Saturday and from 10 am until 3 pm on Sunday.
Of course all the biggest brands of the industry will be there as well with their latest pedal powered inventions and accessories. Last year the show was attended by 30,000 visitors, who took part in the different activities. The biggest one being the 10 am Sunday people’s bike parade. This year the cyclist start from the crossing of carrer d’Aragó and carrer Balmes, the skaters from the intersection of Passeig the Gràcia and carrer Aragó. Both marches leave at 10 am on Sunday and will arrive at the expo later on.
All I know is that it will be a lot of fun to be there, especially with the great weather that is expected for this weekend.
Hope to see you there too :)
Marty Ungi, from Hungary, Be Hostels head receptionist.
For me the Rumba Catalana is like a rollito de verano – a summer fling. We came across Sant Gaudenci Rumba Club, winding in and out of the streets of Gracia, taking turns to peddle the bike while looking for the club KGB that someone had suggested earlier on in the evening, in a previous bar. In Barcelona, Rumba is street music. It´s not performed to an audience, but equally performed by the audience and the group on stage, interacting. Everyone was clapping or singing or passing the instruments between them, while the singer of the Impagaos laughed and sang upfront, his crazy blue eyes gleaming. I'm sure everyone has a favourite music that they find liberating, but for me the hot energy, playfulness and nonchalance of the rumba Catalana sums up the atmosphere in Barcelona when the summer sun comes out and you are too content to think about anywhere else on Earth.
I guess Gato Perez and Peret, (The King of the Rumba), are more or less where the movement of Rumba started in Barcelona in the 50s. It is hard to define exactly where it fits in as a genre of music, especially for me since I know little about the Cuban Rumba that influences it, but today, its fusion with Flamenco, local rock, traditional Catalan instruments and topical lyrics has turned it into something unmistakeably from Barcelona. It grows right here, in the city, in the local bars. Waiting for the cold winter months to pass they sing about having a good time.
In the summer they move out into the streets, for the festivals of the barrios or “ neighbourhoods” of Barcelona. Rumba Catalana is like Flamenco in that sense that it started with the Catalan gitanos - gypsies that play it in the street. Rumba is everywhere and anywhere because all you need is a guitar or Flamenco cajon (a wooden box that you sit on and tap the sides) and some people to clap and dance, and in Barcelona after a few beers in the warm air thats what we do.
I too am waiting for the summer fiestas to begin – but for the moment we make do with the Rumba Club in the Sala Apolo, just up the street from Barcelona Mar and Barcelona Sound Hostel. Ask at reception.
Gemma Temlett, from Zimbabwe, afternoon receptionist.
Hey guys! If you, like me, enjoy to see the world in different perspectives, Tibidabo is the perspective you can't miss out during your stay in Barcelona.
Tibidabo is a mountain located in the back of the town, and is also the highest point in the town (512 m above the ocean). Tibidabo is a natural park full of paths to get lost and enjoy the view of Barcelona at your feed. The essence of Tibidabo is without a doubt "El Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor", a cathedral on the top, which you can actually see from all over Barcelona. With its amazing statues, work of mozaik and the INCREDIBLE view from the top floor (after you've climbed all the stairs), this temple is absolutely one of the most important must-do in whole Barcelona. Right beside the temple is an old fashioned amusement park with different kinds of rides, paris wheels, roller coasters, etc. Tibidabo offer things to do for everyone!!
To go there you can always use the bus that goes from the town center (Plaça Catalunya) all the way up to the top. You can also take the local subway, and afterwards an old style tram and then use a gondola all way up. However, if you, like me, prefers the challenge and the natural experience you “simply” walk by food (3 hours from city center). Like this you can enjoy the natural park and you see more of the amazing spanish nature and when you reach the top you´ll really feel that you've accomplished something during the day.
From the highest point of Barcelona you're able to see everything in a bigger and mightier perspective than any other place in town. If it sounds good to you, do go to Tibidabo!
De va la änna Gött!
Rickard Haeggman, Viking from Sweden and also night receptionist at Barcelona Sound Hostel.
This week is going to be great week in barcelona!! The neighbourhood of L`HOSPITALLET is giving good vibrations to spring ! The program of the festival will have all kind of oportunities to let you come inside the spanish mood and join people in the street.
Will make part of it sport activities, concerts in the company of: Los Delicuentes, O`Funkillo, Estopa and some others spanish groups that will give the best “ made in Spain “. I can assure you that you will have a great time. All concert are for free and they start from 21h at: Avda. Josep Tarradellas (delante de la Tecla Sala) of the city Hospitalet.
The parties of Hospitalet also will provide you a street show of “els gegants”, “ el caltells “ and “el Foc” showing you the special culture of this neighbourhood. CANNOT MISS IT!!!! Starts at 22 untill 25 of april.
Party , exposicions, culture, music , big parks , good views , nice people, welcome to the powerfull BARCELONA, take some sun and relaxxx...! Barcelona can give you all you are looking for.
Be Happy Here!
Luis Pires from Portugal, night receptionist.
Mecal 2010 is back to barcelona year after year to give you the best is made in “ short feature film “. the twelfth edition comes with spring time and you can watch it untill de end of the week ( had already started and finish at 18 of april ). This year the festival recieve incredible 3500 films , and tryed to do the best selection for the festival. You will be able to enjoy the best is made around the world , splited in diferent environments and giving you different ways of the city ( “CINES MALDA”,”RESIDENCIA D`INVESTIGADORS”, “LOUNGE CLUB MAU MAU “and “MACBA”) . For a big festival , a big party ! The organisation prepared 2 parties, the first one in JAZZY DOWN FLOOR (calle princesa 53) friday 16 april, and the second on thursday 15 april , starting at 00h30 with disco-funky at CLUB MARULLA ( calle escudellers , 49).
Party , exposicions, culture, music , big parks , good views , nice people, welcome to the powerfull BARCELONA, take some sun and relaxxx...! Barcelona can give you all you are looking for.
Be Happy Here!
Luis Pires, from Portugal, Night receptionist.
SEMANA SANTA, the holy week, a movable feast beginning on Palm Sunday, this year the 28th of March, and runs to the Resurrection Sunday the 5th of April. Though, if it wasn’t for the sumptuous and seductive sculptures of chocolate in the sweet shops it would be easy to miss that we are now entering the most holy week in the Spanish religious calendar.
A group is passing by the window of the hostel attracting attention in the dusty streets of Sunday morning. In these hours the streets are normally mostly walked by the last tired guests of the night before or men with dogs and newspapers.
The parade is neatly dressed carrying small bouquets of palm branches heading for the church. In Barcelona the most important event of Semana Santa is the blessing of the palms on Palm Sunday. Traditionally godmothers present their godchildren with a large palm branch. The palms are taken to mass and blessed by the priest, and then taken home and hung on balconies for the rest of the year to ward off evil.
But in this multicultural city it is easy to forget which strong culture that surrounds this capital of Catalonia. A lot of the local Barcelona residents also leave the town themselves to celebrate the holidays in nearby villages or foreign destinations.
But this doesn’t mean that Easter is not celebrated in Barcelona. If you like to have a look at an Easter parade there will be one starting at the church “La Iglesia de Sant Agustí” in plaça Sant Agustí at 17.00 Good Friday the 2nd of April, and another at the same time at the “Iglesia de Sant Jaume” in Calle Ferran. The Easter is celebrated with processions called pasos which are colorful parades of large decorated floats with statues of Christ, the virgin Mary or other saints. Men carrying crosses are dressed in long tunics, masks and pointing hoods, a dressing that is copied by the Ku Klux Klan.
Though, if for you, as for me, Easter is closer combined with chocolate eggs than mass and palm branches you should make your way to the Chocolate Museum (Museu de la Xocolata, Calle Comerç, 3). The museum takes you through the history of the chocolate and there will be a few special courses available during the Easter period.
No matter how you end up spending your time I wish you a very nice Semana Santa in Barcelona
Ane, from Denmark, morning receptionist
Are you, as I am, a fan of Cuban music, dance and drink? Then you should know that Barcelona has surprisingly much to offer.
Heading up from Placa Catalunya, a couple of stops on the metro or a stroll past Gaudi’s buildings on Passeig de Gracia you’ll reach the enchanting neighborhood of Gracia. This area is full of nice restaurants and bars and quite a few of them have a Cuban theme. Let’s start of with Raïm. This is one of my favorite bars and it’s perfect if you’re looking for a lively place full of atmosphere. The bar used to be an old catalan wine bar, and the name actually means “grape” in catalan. Other than the name and the dusty wine barrels in the corners, everything about the bar is undoubtedly Cuban. The decoration consists of old photographs of Cuban artists and revolutionaries, the music is salsa, rumba and son, and the drink consists of… rum! Even though the beer is quite cheap you should definitely go for a mojito or a cuba libre made with something out of the bars big rum-collection, (try flor de caña). The bar can be really busy on weekends and both locals and not so locals crowd around the bar, however, there is always space for some spontaneous salsa-dancing on the crowded floor. Raïm is also the hang out spot for lots of the local rumba-musicians and if you’re lucky you’ll get caught up in the middle of an improvised concert.
Just a block away from Raïm, you´ll find another Cuban bar. Its called Elsa, named after its landlady. The bar is less known than Raïm but on weekends it will fill up with the usual crowd of Elsa-regulars. The owner of the bar claims she is a famous Cuban bolero-singer and if she is in a good mood she’ll demand everyone’s complete attention, and burst out singing “Guantanamera” or some other classic.
At 2.30am things start to quiet down in Gracia, so if you still haven’t had enough of mojitos, you can always go a few blocks down to the latin night club Mojito and dance salsa until dawn.
Emmy Lindstam, from Sweden, afternoon receptionist
Raïm Bar: Progrés 48
Elsa Bar: Torrent De L'Olla 78
Club Mojito: Carrer Rosellón, 217
On 20 and 21 of March ,Barcelona celebrates the 52nd edition of the prestigious "International Rally vintage car Barcelona - Sitges. It's a unique opportunity to see classics in perfect condition, more than 80 cars participate in the meeting, all of them predate 1928. The event is based in three days. The first day (Saturday, March 20) participants will exhibit their vehicles in a closed parc that is located in the central Paseo Lluis Companys, near the monument Arco de Triumfo of Barcelona.
The rally will take place on Sunday, March 21st. Departs from Plaza Sant Jaume de Barcelona, with participants dressed up with clothes of the period . The output will be held at 11 am, when the cars they headed towards the town Sitges, after running several streets of Barcelona and the towns of L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Cornella de Llobregat, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Viladecans, Gava, Castelldefels and Coast of Garraf.
When the motorcade reached historic Sitges (Port D'Aiguadolç), following a parade through different streets,cars will be displayed in the campus again La Fragata. The point of this test is not there first, but will especially appreciate the aesthetic aspects and time.
Really an interesting show that has few references in Europe, another opportunity to see the tour of time, in this case in the automobile industry.
I'm going!
Miki from Barcelona, receptionist.
Drivers pictures. Andrew Bush spend half of the 90´s seated in his car with a gadget armed with an analogical camera and a flash roaming round roads and highways in Los Ángeles searching for photos of drivers. All type, color, humor and size. With brand new cars, beautiful, classics and horribles.To demostrate that even inside our car an extention of our prívate property that has the virtue of moving we are in the eye of anyone. Exhibited like anyone else. And at the end far from the social pretention is a curious collection of people caught in a day to day situation: talking alone, whistling singing, thinking in something else, looking at the sea…
Free entrance
Where: Galeria 3punts, c/ Aribau, 75
When: Mon. from 16:30h to 20:30h, Tue. to Sat. from 10:30h to 14h and from 16:30h to 20:30h and till the 30th of Abril
Eva Guiu, from Barcelona, morning receptionist.
Last weekend I had visitors staying over in Barcelona. It was there first time here and I wanted to give them an unforgettable impression of the city. So I took them to the magic fountain in the Monjuic area.
The Magic Fountain is a light and sound performance, shown at the big water fountain, which is in front of the breathtakingly beautiful Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. It is a tremendous setting and environment to what is an excellent show.
The Magic Fountain of Montjuic is a stunning attraction in Barcelona that was designed by Carles Buigas for the international exhibition in 1929.. The fountain apparently still uses the same mechanisms to run the show that it did back when it was created in 1929. It was forbidden during the Franco area but since the Olympic Games in 1992 it runs again on a regular basis. Tourists and locals usually go to Montjuic and enjoy seeing a great show. The water seems to dance to the rhythm of the music.
It is a must see when your are staying over the weekend in Barcelona. Be aware that on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the fountain doesn’t operate and in the wintertime (October-April) it only runs on Fridays and Saturdays.
One of the best aspects of the shows is that they run in session over and over again and it is well worth sticking around to watch the show from different viewpoints. Just be careful of pick pocking like you have to be in all Barcelona and above all around tourist attractions.
Before going to the Magic Fountain there are other things to see nearby such as: the National Museum of Art and the Caiaxa Forum Museum with exhibitions of contemporary art.
Finally I offered my friends an amazing introduction to Saturday nightlife. Feeling elated by the music and different colours we were absolutely prepared to hit the nightlife.
Elena Murray, from Germany, morning receptionist.
Even though the title sounds like something directly out of a science fiction movie, this is some kind of attempt at being a small article about a bar, despite the fact of this having quite a bit of pure fiction.
So here we are, just like it sounds, there still remains a genuine and authentic spot, where the the glow of the lights and it's glamor opens the book to it's history.
The hole we are talking about is called "El Marsella", situated in the very heart of the bustling neighborhood "El Raval" very close to where many of you guys are staying, the SOUND and MAR hostels.
El Marsella was established in 1820, and has the honor of being known as the oldest bar in Barcelona, and since that very first day of it's inauguration the dust have never been cleared off any the bottles.
Nothing more than crossing this threshold, and your senses carry you to another dimension. The sweet anisette smell of the the ABSINTHE, otherwise known as “The Green Fairy”, hits you directly in the deepest part of your lungs, and before your eyes a gran spectacle appears, that seems to have come right out of one of the great Bukowsky's "black novels". It is here in the dirty den, among this smoke and alcohol, where the old shaking ceiling fans continue to stir up that smoke and it's history at the same time.
The grotto is modernistic in style with the noble and hardwood decor that are responsible for finishing off it's mysterious and truly bohemian look.
If you are observant and at the same time fortunate in finding yourself someplace to sit, (you'd better get there before midnight) you'll be able to see mixed up fauna of all kinds; veterans at the bar who look like they have come directly from Vietnam, the local folk chatting it up happily, and why not, a few spaced-out tourists putting on their amazed faces.
Within this decadent ambiance the shining star is definitely without a doubt the Absinthe, a drink discovered by a doctor in France in 1792, which was made by the combining of aniseed and wormwood, originally used as a medicinal treatment.
During the 19th and 20th centuries it was consumed primarily by artists and bohemians alike who made it the fashionable drink, mainly because it intensified their own creativity due entirely to the psychosomatic colloidal properties of wormwood which chemically resembles marijuana. It is especially dark green or blue in color, with a strong aroma, a biter taste, and a very high alcohol content.
The most habitual way to prepare it, is putting a spoon with a lump of sugar just over the top part of an empty glass, then pouring the absinthe bit by bit over top of the sugar. Then the sugar must be melted, once caramelized, the sugar is then added to the glass of Absinthe, and can be mixed with either water, or any kind of lemon or orange soft drink.
Throughout many decades it has been strictly prohibited in Europe, with the exception of Portugal and Spain, yet now having legalized it's consumption in other countries, Spain and Portugal remain the only two that continue to distill it using the traditional method.
Great geniuses like Manet, Degas, Van Gogh, Picasso make reference in their works of art to “Absinthe” and many others like Bodeleire, Oscar Wilde, Toulouse Lautrec, Monticelli, Hemingway, Rimbaud were the the greatest consumers of this potion, are the regulars you would have found at this bar in their time. Most recently, this bar played it's part in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona, making it a sure bet.
Here, you can drink whatever, but if you decide to go for “The Green Fairy”, control your yourself, and don't get on the night receptionists nerves, or I'll refuse to divulge you any more secrets of the Barcelona occult.
And now, it's your turn, step through the door, and welcome, a hallucinating trip...
Mele, from Canary Islands, morning Receptionist.
Every year during the last weekend in January the Barcelonian neigborhood of Gracia celebrates the Mallorcan festival of ¨Sa Pobla¨ In honor of Mallorca’s patron saint of animals and farmers, San Antoni Abad.
It`s a festival of arts and entertainment that originated on the island of Mallorca which is part of the balearic islands.
Gracia`s plazas fill with colourful processions and red devils. Everyone gathers around open bonfires and dance to Malloran folk instruments.
On Friday, concerts begin at 10pm in the Centre Artesà Tradicionàrius (CAT) with unique performances from some traditional Mallorcan groups. The festivals main events take place from 11am on the 30th with artisan markets, typical food and drink, castellers (towering over the crowds), lively parades, carrefocs and customary dances. The bonfire is finally lit at 11pm and the celebrations continue on into the night. In addition, until 28 February, the CAT and the Ayuntamiento de Gràcia show a collective exhibition combining the work of 30 new and established Mallorcan artists.
Irene from Colombia-Catalunya, afternon receptionist.
A rainy Tuesday night, time for some drinks to cut the week in half. At 7PM I met with some friends in La Champañeria, the most famous Cava bar in Barcelona and our favourite place to splurge on cava and tasty, greasy food! Cava is the Spanish variant of Champagne and is mainly produced in Catalunya. Of course we started with some glasses of cava for €0,85 each and croquetas. Followed by more glasses of cava and bocadillos (sandwiches). Don´t even think about sitting down and relaxing in La Champañeria! It´s standing in a crowd, made up of locals and tourists, old and young, and using your elbows to get to the bar to order. After finishing the delicious bocadillos, you can just throw your napkins on the floor. Who said anything about etiquette?! When we were all very happy and satisfied, everybody went their own way. My friend and I ended up in a cute little French bar called Pastis, not far from ´Barcelona Mar Hostel´. This bar featured strange pieces of decoration, cards, pictures etc. everywhere, French music and the right amount of cigarette smoke to make it look cozy but not disgusting. We were lucky ´cause after a glass of red wine, a duo started playing tango music on guitar and accordion. So we decided to stay a bit longer. We found out that this bar has live music a couple of nights a week! We´ll come back for sure!
www.canpaixano.com
www.barpastis.com
-Tamar from Holland, morning receptionist
If you are bored of the busy shopping streets of Barcelona, go to The Outlet Off Shop, held for the first time this Saturday the 9th of January. A small but completely different market in Barcelona. This market is an outlet. You can find clothes and accessories but also fabulous vintage pieces, artwork and heaps of other stuff. Apart from shopping, you can enjoy the performance of Estel Seguí from the group Circodelirium and have a bite to eat. The market starts at 12PM till 8PM. To get there you can take the metro line 1 till Marina. The building is called Art Factory T45, the street name Calle Ali Bei 114.
Annalisa from Italy, Morning Reception Trainee
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