thebarcelonaguide:

Two Bars – One Band – Live Music

Shhhhhhh. Do you hear that? Yes, it’s the sound of silence. Barcelona is quiet. As August progresses the good people of Barcelona have gone off to their beach houses, their country village cottages and to other sunny vacation spots. You’ll notice that there are fewer cars on the roads, and that many of the city’s bars, cafes and shops are shut up for the month. In Spain, August means ‘fiesta’. Music and Events in Barcelona So don’t fight it. Get into the relaxed...

August 6th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Night Clubs in Barcelona – What I Don’t Know Could Fill a Book

Clubbing is something I don’t do. Sure, when I first came to the city I went to a few clubs or ‘discos’ as they are called here and tried to dance around and have a good time. Honestly though, the club world is not mine. A couple weeks ago a friend of mine from Sweden had his daughters and their 17-year-old high school friends here visiting. ‘So which clubs should we go to tonight?’ they asked me, and I racked my brain to think of some safe, ‘cool’ place...

August 5th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Cheapskate Barcelona; The Tips You Need to Save

So you’re doing the shoestring thing? No problem. Here are some cheapskate tips for saving a buck, or a Euro as it were, in Barcelona. Here are the ’5 S’s’ to saving big: Shop: for your lunch at the supermarket or open air market. Buy a baguette, some cheese and a coke and eat your lunch in the park or on the beach. Buy at : Santa Caterina Market - http://www.mercatsantacaterina.net/ Sip: Cheap beers? Cheap bars? consider Bar Leo in Barceloneta, popular for its super cheap...

July 30th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Best Day Trips from Barcelona 2: Cadaques

You’ll have to get up pretty early in the morning to get to this special beach on the Costa Brava, but I’d say it’s worth it. Cadaques is well-known for its white houses which squeeze together along the village’s egg-shaped shoreline. Along the Cadaques Trail Cadaques is popular with city-slickers from Barcelona as well as the French, as it is in northern Catalunya, near the French border. Really, it’s best to stay the night in Cadaques, but if you rent a car, you could...

July 29th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Live Music and Jam Sessions: Can Luis

It was like this. We went out on a Friday night to the free concert in Ciutadella park that the city puts on throughout the summer. Sometimes these concerts are great, and sometimes they are painful. On that particular Friday, the music was of the painful variety, or at least, not to my taste. What started out as a few of us on a picnic blanket with some snacks turned into a group of twenty people, all out to see what sort of magic Barcelona could offer on that warm July night. When the park closed,...

July 28th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Best Day Trips from Barcelona -Garraf Beach

For those who have a week or more to spend in Barcelona, it’s worth it to get on the RENFE train and head out of town down the coastline on a day trip. While the city has beaches, they are notoriously crowded, polluted and yes, even a bit dangerous when it comes to being scammed or pick-pocketed. Get up early and spend a day at Garraf, a small beach village about 40 minutes by train from the city center. Garraf can be crowded on the weekend, but nothing like Barcelona. Also, Garraf is cleaner...

July 27th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Cheap Barcelona Party: All-nighter in Poble Sec

Cheap Barcelona Parties Ah Summer….Barcelona is a great city in the summer (except for how smelly it is….and if you’ve been here in August and walked down the Gothic streets, you know what I am talking about) because of all the parties. It’s no wonder Barcelona has the ‘fiesta-fever’ reputation it does, honestly, the city does know how to have a good time. One of the many ways Barcelona’s residents let their hair down is at their local neighborhood parties...

July 24th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Happy Hour and the movie El Guateque: Friday the 24th of July

Looking for some local fun this Friday? Consider heading to Barcelona’s Gracia neighborhood to La Cova for Happy Hour and a screening of the movie El Guateque by Blake Edwards. La Cova is a cultural center tucked away in Gracia near the Fontana metro stop. They’ve always got something interesting, fun, and cheap going on there, so if you cant make it to this even, keep your eye on La Cova for future nights out. La Cova, Barcelona Cultural Center The 24th of July 09 from 7pm to 9pm –...

July 23rd, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Live Music in Barcelona: Acoustic Anarchy

Barcelona has long been a hotbed for all that is rebellious and anarchy in general. To this day there are still many anarchy groups which meet regularly around the city to organize just how to go about de-organizing society….. But this coming 31st of July will not be the kind of hard-core anarchist event that Barcelona’s CNT is famous for, but rather a gathering to celebrate creative chaos. The idea is simple and goes like this: A group of musicians will meet for the first time to compose...

July 21st, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Cafe Tacvba Live in Barcelona, Spain

I wish the ticket fairy would give me a ticket to see Cafe Tacvba on their 20:20 tour which makes a stop in Barcelona this July 25th! Celebrating their 20th anniversarry, this fabulous and legendary Mexican band will have played 20 shows in 20 countires. The band will be playing at Sala Razzamatazz in what is the last concert on the tour. I remember the first time I heard Cafe Tacvba’s Eres about 8 years ago (so not that long really, considering they’ve been around for 20!) and...

July 20th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Spanish Red

True, it’s a bt hot right now to drink red wine. Mostly during the summer months folks in Barcelona grab for the Rose or whites from Navarra and Galica, or if one is a true Spanish red-drinker, they simply put their red in the fridge. Spanish Red It’s common here when the weather reached the 80′s to go to a restaurant for a Menu of the Day, and be served a bottle of chilled red wine. At first I didn’t know if I would like this, but as it turns out it was just fine and much...

July 19th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Spanish Breakfast

When in Spain, do as the Spanish do (or Catalans do, in the case of Barcelona). Breakfast in Spain is not the most important meal of the day, that’s lunch, and those who like a hearty spread of bacon and eggs may be disappointed by Spanish offerings. Spanish Breakfast - By Regina W. Bryan Along La Rambla you’ll find some restaurants catering to tourists offering an English Breakfast of beans, toast, eggs, etc. Also, in a few bars around town an American-style brunch is served on Sundays....

July 17th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Free Music in the Park : Summer Concerts

Like most things that are free, Ciutadella’s summer musical lineup is hit and miss. All this month every Friday there is free music in the city’s main downtown park, Ciutadella, from 10pm on. Archway on the way to Ciutadella Park The game plan is to arrive a bit early with the following supplies: -wine -tablecloth or something to sit on - picnic munchies -candles -all your friends Then set up camp in the grass by the gazebo and listen to the music while snacking for an hour. That’s...

July 15th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Music: Luz Verde at the Apolo – RockN’Roll

Luz Verde, a local Barcelona band, will play this coming Thursday the 16th at the downtown Apolo theater. Don’t miss it! One of the perks of living in the city is having a plethora of cultural activities available on any given night. The price one pays for this entertainment is living in the noise, hustle and yes, pollution, but maybe it’s worth it? Barcelona has music happening every night of the week, and sometimes it’s downright hard to choose what to do; there are so many options!...

July 13th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Spanish Drinks – Summer drinks to refresh!

I’ve got two fans going day and night in my house in Barcelona, and depending on where I am in the flat, I position the fans accordingly. This summer has started off with a heat wave which has left many folks feeling tired, sweaty and in need of a siesta and a cold one. Spanish Drinks Of course ,when we think Spanish drinks, we think sangria. It makes sense that sangria would be a popular summer drink in Spain, as it is fruity, cold, cheap to make and usually pretty strong. However, I’d...

July 12th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

On Sale Spain Style – Time to Shop

Spain sales have begun! Sale Spain Twice a year Barcelona, expensive as she is, goes on sale. Sales, or rebajas, are in July and January, just when folks are the brokest. Sales are pretty much the only time I shop for clothing, and the discounts are deep, starting at 50% and ending at 70% off. The sales started on the first of July and are in full swing right now, shops packed with buyers eager to get he best booty before it’s sold out. Here are a few of my favorite shops to hit for the sales,...

July 10th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Barcelona Food – Rita Rouge in the Center

Rita Rouge offers terrace seating and daily specials in the heart of the city’s Gothic Zone. Barcelona Food I was o my way to Ra Restaurant, only to find it packed with a wait, so we ventured on and opted for Ra’s next-terrace neighbor, Rita Rouge. In the summer there is nothing nicer than eating a ‘menu del dia on a leafy, Jasmine -filled terrace, and that is precisely what Rita Rouge offers. A ‘menu del dia’ is a the daily special and at Rita Rouge it costs €14...

July 8th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Serious Eats

Somor Rostro is Serious Eats. Serious Eats at Somor Rostro This is probably my favorite restaurant in Barcelona. In fact, I thought about not posting on it to keep it as my own little secret, but the truth is that I want this creative little restaurant to thrive and stay in business. Honestly, I don’t know how there is not a line out the door every night of the week at Somor Rostro. It’s delicious. It’s unique. It’s charming and tasteful. It has great service. It’s...

July 6th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

BCN Restaurant – Why Ugarit is a Must

Ugarit has three things going for it: good eats, nice wait staff and a Gracia location. BCN Restaurant I was taken aback when I went into Ugarit last Tuesday and was greeted by a smiling man who said, ‘Table for two, right over here please.’ ‘What’s this?’ I thought to myself, and then remembered that it was called service, something I’ve grown to live without in Barcelona. Sorry if it’s a bit harsh, but it’s true. Barcelona excels in many ways, but...

July 5th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More

Live Music Tonight: The Irrepressibles and La Troba Kung-Fú

Tonight come hear two bands at the Festival Grec in Barcelona. ç The Irrepressibles and Troba Kung- Fú The Irrepressibles are known for being one of the most unusal bands from the UK today. Unusual can be good or bad, and since tonight will be my first experience with the group, I can’t say wht exactly to expect from them – so maybe expect the unexpected. They’ve been compared to the Pixies, Prince and the Sex pistols, so imagine all of that mixed together and then add in their...

July 4th, 2009 | Barcelona | Read More