Barcelona comes alive after 5 for tapeando at bars, where drinks pair with tapas in small-plate portions, bite-sized pintxos on bread, or sharing-size raciones. Order anchovies, olives, marinated mushrooms, chorizo, jamón ibérico (ham), grilled shrimp, pan con tomate (garlicy tomato spread on baguette), patatas bravas (fried potato cubes in a spicy sauce), tortilla omelet, or lobster in brandy and tuna tartare.
In Ciutat Vella (Old City) neighborhoods near La Rambla (a half-mile from the World Trade Center port and 2 miles from Moll Adossat cruise terminal), look for venues on The World’s 50 Best bars and restaurants lists — including Cañete and dimly lit Paradiso, where guests reach the Dalí-esque wooden bar through a pastrami shop. In medieval El Born, the award cites Cal Pep for freshly sourced seafood specialties at a counter or in a brick-walled dining room; Bar Brutal, where artisanal wines accompany seasonal tapas; and Floreria Atlántico, where Argentinian tapas accompany cocktails.
After tapas, the evening’s options await: Attend an FC Barcelona fútbol match; an opera at Gran Teatre del Liceu; a concert in Palau de la Música; a drag show at El Cangrejo Raval; or a flamenco performance at a tablao or in the 14th-century cathedral, Santa Maria del Pi … or simply shop until 8 p.m.
Dinner starts later, at about 10 p.m. For Michelin-starred gastronomy, twins Javier and Sergio Torres gained three stars at Cocina Hermanos Torres, Alberto Adrià presents a 40-course tasting menu at Enigma, and Jordi Artal presents a creative menu at Cinq Sentits. In Eixemple, there’s a choice of bars and restaurants at swank El Nacional; and morsels of top gastro-tapas-bar fare at Mont Bar and at Bar Mut, featuring sommelier service, a wine wall and terrace.
The “Gaixample” area boasts LGBTQIA+-friendly establishments: La Carrà memorializes the Italian singer-actor Raffaella Carrà; and Priscilla Café evokes The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, a 1944 Australian dramedy about three drag queens.
In seafront Barceloneta, Can Ramonet features paella in a former winery, and late-night party goers flock to Opium Barcelona and Eclipse, a chic disco on the 26th floor of the iconic W Barcelona.
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