Hidden amongst the Gaudi architecture and Catalan culture of Barcelona lies a secret world of clandestine charm. Welcome to the city’s best-kept secrets: the speakeasy bars. As the sun sets over the Mediterranean, these elusive watering holes come to life, offering a glimpse into the bygone era of glamour and mystery. From sophisticated Spanish lounges to rough and ready hidden haunts, Barcelona’s speakeasy bars have something to suit every cocktail-seeking local or traveler.
So, join us on a journey through the cobblestone streets of this Catalonian city as we unveil the best speakeasy bars in Barcelona. These hidden Barcelona bars will whisk you away to a time when jazz music filled the air, and the art of mixology was a whispered secret. From hidden entrances to carefully crafted cocktails, come with us to discover the allure of Barcelona’s most exclusive speakeasies.
Be sure to check out our guide to the best cities to visit in Spain, too!
8 Best Barcelona Speakeasy Bars 2024
Paradiso
Ranked number one in ‘The World’s 50 Best Bars’ list 2022, there is no denying that Paradiso deserves a spot on our round-up of the best speakeasy in Barcelona. Hidden behind a fridge door inside an otherwise run-of-the-mill pastrami shop in the El Born neighbourhood of the city, this Barcelona speakeasy bar combines the elegance and sophistication of the swinging 1920s with the modern-day urban hipster vibes of a cosmopolitan city.
When it comes to the drinks at this speakeasy bar in Barcelona, you can expect the over-the-top flamboyance that’s all the rage at the moment – think everything from smoke and fire to dry ice and bubbles. But it’s not just the cocktail theatrics that make the drinks at Paradiso stand out; all the drinks on the menu are seasonal, with ingredients locally sourced from the Santa Caterina Market. For something fresh, why not try the Legacy, mixed with Santa Teresa 1796, olive oil, rosolio, fennel, caper honey, and citrus? Prefer something sweet? Order the Paradiso Express – a concoction of Zacapa 23 Rum, Ketel One vodka, Lustau Pedro Ximenez, coffee, banana, and sesame.
Gatsby Barcelona
As one of the most exclusive dining spots in the city, Gatsby is a speakeasy-style bar in Barcelona where avant-garde glamour and dressing up to the nines is the norm. Inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerland’s novel and the later screen adaptation starring Leonardo Di Caprio, this Barcelona speakeasy bar is hidden in the heart of the city, within an unassuming shopping centre. Designed by Alexis Cogul of Danda Studio, Gatsby is lavishly decorated, with plush velvet banquet seats, chandelier lighting, and gold accents.
Take a seat in the large dining area and sip on cocktail classics with a luxurious twist. Think Expresso Martinis with Grey Goose Vodka, Bloody Mary’s with freshly squeezed lemon juice, and Hugo Spritz’s with Saint Germain Liqueur and elder flower syrup. Meanwhile, world-renowned head chef Federioc Schatz Encina will whip up a menu focused on seasonal produce inspired by his international background, and live entertainment will take to the stage to put on an enthralling show.
Bobby’s Free
Claiming to be the ‘most clandestine cocktail bar in Barcelona’, Bobby’s Free is a must-visit on the list of speakeasy bars in Barcelona. Originally established as an Irish pub in 1975, this Barcelona bar has been transformed into a United States’ Prohibition-era spot, with a secret door hidden inside a 1920s-style barbershop. Before entering, though, you must get past the fedora-wearing doorman, who will deny all knowledge of the bar without the secret password which changes monthly.
Once you make it inside, you’ll be transported to a another era, welcomed by an unique, authentic Barcelona speakeasy, with a fully stocked bar, dim lighting, and plenty of happy customers. Enjoy bespoke cocktails like the Bobby’s Kiss (dry gin, cherry marasquino, cocoa, strawberry, and orgeat) and the Boulevardier (Jack Daniels Rye, Cirzano Sweet Vermut, and campari). They also serve a huge selection of spirits, soft drinks and alcohol-free cocktail options.
Punch Room
Following on from its oh so popular London counterpart, the Punch Room brings a touch of prohibition-style sophistication to Barcelona. Local spirits and ingredients make up the carefully curated cocktail menu at this speakeasy bar in Barcelona and are served up in swanky silver bowls. Inside, you’ll find a cosy, dim-lit space, complete with billiards table, black-granite fireplace, comfy leather seating, and deep green velvet furnishings throughout. The walls are oak-panelled and are lined with images from renowned local photographer Andrea Torres.
When it comes to the drinks at this Barcelona speakeasy, they specialise in what was the first modern cocktail, once a favourite among pirates, sailors, noblemen, and soldiers – the punch! Choose from delightful twists on this 17th-century beverage, including options with grapefruit, cardamom, pineapple, Earl Grey tea, lemon sherbert, Cayenne pepper, honey, ginger, orange blossom and more.
Old Fashioned
Looking for the best Old Fashioneds in the city? Look no further than this tiny speakeasy bar in Barcelona. Situated in the quiet neighbourhood of Gracia, Old Fashioned is easy to miss, catering only to 30 customers at a time. Inside, seating is limited and tables turn over slowly, but it’s always worth the wait. Jazz music plays in the background, while professional bartenders, dressed in suits, ties and suspenders, concoct delightful whiskey creations, giving off an iconic, old-school vibe.
As the name suggests, this Barcelona speakeasy bar specialises in Old Fashioneds, but they also have an exceptional range of G&Ts and cocktails to choose from. We’d of course recommend their Old Fashioned above all, but if your not a whiskey fan, opt for the Martini Tiramisu, the Al Capone, Jack Rudy, or Joe Profaci, named after famous prohibition gangsters.
La Whiskeria
Giving Old Fashioned a run for their money when it comes to whiskey, La Whiskeria is undoubtedly another one of the best speakeasy cocktail bars in Barcelona. Nestled in the iconic Raval neighbourhood, this Barcelona speakeasy is timelessly elegant. With the original bar having opened over 50 years ago, in 1969, La Whiskeria has an authentic, old-world charm about it, with a selection of whiskeys from all across the globe stacked behind the bar.
With over 1,000 references of every variety, from single malts to bourbons ans scotches, there’s a drop or to of ‘liquid sunshine’ to suit all palettes. Not only can you sample legendary brands like Balvenie and Kavalan, but you’ll find new blends from scores of local and independent distilleries. Not one for drinking cocktail neat? Don’t worry – take a look at their cocktail menu and take your pick from the likes of Eden Sour (Toki Japanese whiskey, melon liqueur, apple, lemon and soda water), and their take on the classic Old Fashioned (Michters US 1 Single Barrel Rye, sugar cane syrup and house bitters), as well as a variety of gin, rum and mezcal based beverages.
Hemingway
Tiny but perfectly formed, Hemingway is a cosy speakeasy-style bar in Barcelona that specialises in rare gins, worldwide whiskeys, and craft cocktails. Housed within a basement, you’ll have to look hard to spot this one. Once found, you’ll be greeted inside by a teeny tiny, moody space with a higgledy-piggledy bar and framed pictures of the eponymous American novelist on the walls.
Hemingway uses only the finest spirits and freshest ingredients to mix up their unique cocktails. A fan of whiskey? We’d recommend trying the Jon Snow cocktail – a concoction of bourbon, coconut, ratafia, coffee & chocolate tincture, and orange essence. Alternatively, opt for the Nikon – a blend of vodka, passion fruit, lemon and vanilla all served in a Nikon camera lense. Other favourites include the Watermelon Mule, How I Met Your Father, Aged Negroni and more.
Madame George
Designed by Daniel Spinella, this speakeasy bar in Barcelona combines the Peruvian and Irish origins of its owners to create a rich tapestry of style and beverage. Situated in the heart of the Poblemou neighbourhood, this Barcelona speakeasy bar has been ranked second in the TimeOut Top 10 list of bars in Barcelona with history. With a flamboyant wallpaper, a teardrop lamp, ornate gold-framed mirrors, and a patchwork of rugs above the bar, Madame George is fun and unique in every way.
Enjoy the finest cocktails in a cosmopolitan atmosphere, while a DJ spins vintage soul and funk in the corner. We’d recommend trying the lychee-tini, made with vanilla-infused vodka, blended lychee, apple, and lemon juice, and a touch of lychee liqueur. They also specialise in rum-based drinks, being home to over 25 varieties of Caribbean rum, as well as rare Irish whiskeys.
Barcelona’s speakeasy bars offer a hidden world of charm, elegance and intrigue that beckons both locals and tourists to experience an uninhibited journey through time. From the clandestine entrances to the carefully crafted cocktails, these speakeasy bars in Barcelona transport patrons to an era of prohibition-era mystique.
So, whether you’re seeking a quiet escape from the bustling city of a taste of Barcelona’s thriving nightlife scene, these speakeasies have something for everyone.
Now you’ve discovered the best speakeasies in Barcelona, be sure to check out our guide to the best cocktail bars in Havana, too!
Techno-Mads 