The El Born neighbourhood is one of the most popular and lively areas in the city of Barcelona, and it is also where Musik Boutique Hotel is located. Known for its narrow cobbled streets, unique shops and impressive historic landmarks, El Born is an ideal place to stroll, shop and enjoy good food or drinks while soaking up the city’s cosmopolitan and vibrant atmosphere. And if you feel like understanding what lies behind many of those tapas, wines and historic bars, you can take a look at our guide to the evolution of Catalan cuisine, a perfect way to add context and flavour to your route through the neighbourhood.
One of the main attractions of the area is its wide range of bars and restaurants of all styles, which have turned El Born into one of the trendiest places to grab a drink or enjoy a casual bite. If you are looking for bars in El Born for any kind of plan, it is easy to find the right spot here: from traditional bars with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere to more modern venues with striking décor and a broad selection of beers, wines and cocktails. In the following article of our Barcelona guide, we present some of the best bars in El Born, all of them located close to Musik Boutique Hotel.
Best bars in El Born
Bar del Pla
Bar del Pla is one of the best bars in El Born, and its location very close to the Picasso Museum makes it a great option for eating or having a drink after visiting the museum. It is a traditional bar with a long history in the city and has been a meeting point for local residents for many years. Here you will find a wide variety of tapas and traditional dishes, perfect if you want to dive into Barcelona’s excellent gastronomy. With a cosy atmosphere and simple yet effective décor, you can enjoy good food and good drinks in an unbeatable location. If you want to enjoy the sun and the lively Born atmosphere, you can also do so on its outdoor terrace. And if you prefer something more classic, you can enjoy your tapas at the main bar while watching the service in action.
La Cervecería Catalana
The name does not mislead anyone, and you can more or less guess what its strengths are and what to expect from this place. La Cervecería Catalana is known for its very wide selection of beers, both local and imported, as well as for its menu of tapas and other traditional dishes from Catalan and Spanish cuisine. With a lively atmosphere and excellent service, this spot is ideal for a more informal meal surrounded by friends or family.
El Xampanyet
If you have been searching for things to do in El Born or you have even a basic idea of what you will find when you arrive, you have probably already seen this name before. El Xampanyet is not only a classic, it is also one of the neighbourhood’s key reference points when it comes to food and drink. This place never seems to go out of style, and year after year thousands of people come here to try its cava and tapas. And if you want to put together a full route and go straight to the best options, here is our guide to the best tapas in El Born.
It is not only one of the oldest places in El Born, it is also one of the most popular among both locals and tourists. There can often be queues and it can be tricky to find a table, which is why we recommend going with time to spare or avoiding peak hours. Once there, you can also enjoy its outdoor terrace while watching the pleasant bustle of El Born’s streets.
La Vinya del Senyor
This bar is known for its excellent wine selection and its wide range of tapas and traditional dishes. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with simple décor and an outdoor terrace that is perfect for enjoying a drink in summer. La Vinya del Senyor is a great place for an informal meal with friends or family.
Vermouth in El Born
Vermouth is a deeply rooted tradition in Barcelona, but El Born is where it has truly become especially popular and has turned into an extra reason to visit. If you have never tried it, vermouth is an aperitif made from fortified wine, wormwood and spices, and it is usually served with a slice of lemon and an olive. Traditionally, in Catalonia it is also served with a siphon so that everyone can add sparkling water to taste.
The vermouth tradition in Barcelona dates back to the late 19th century, when this type of drink was first imported from Italy. Since then, it has been a very popular choice in the city’s bars and restaurants, especially at weekends, when it is common to have a vermouth with friends or family before lunch. This ritual has become a real tradition, as you will quickly notice if you walk around the city on a Sunday. And if you want to round off the plan with a classic local meal after the aperitif, here is our guide to the best places to eat paella in El Born.
As we mentioned earlier, El Born is known for having some of the best places in Barcelona for a proper vermouth. If you want a quick answer, you can simply scroll back up in this article, because El Xampanyet, Bar del Pla and La Vinya del Senyor are all great options for having vermouth in the neighbourhood. However, below we will share a few more ideas for enjoying vermouth in El Born.
Bormuth
Another option whose name does not mislead. At Bormuth you will find a restaurant with excellent value for money, where you can enjoy some of the best traditional tapas and high quality vermouth in a very relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Café Kafka
Café Kafka, located just a few metres from Mercat del Born, is a venue with a character that sits somewhere between a literary café and a Saint Germain style bistro. It captures a bohemian and cultural Barcelona that is Mediterranean, forward looking and distinctly 21st century.
Looking for something more alternative? At Café Kafka you will find Barcelona’s most bohemian side and the city’s cultural vibe. In this spot, very close to Mercat del Born, you can enjoy a vermouth surrounded by an avant garde, literary atmosphere.
Restaurant Club Bananas
Restaurant Club Bananas is not only a place to enjoy a great fusion cuisine menu, it is also a venue with a lively atmosphere, good music and the option to enjoy a vermouth either indoors or out on the terrace. In short, El Born is an ideal neighbourhood to enjoy Barcelona’s vermouth tradition. But if you are tired after a full day of sightseeing and walking around the city, another comfortable and high quality option is to have a drink at the bar of Musik Boutique Hotel, with a wide drinks menu and local and imported spirits.
Choose based on your plan: El Born bars for every moment
El Born is not experienced the same way at every time of day or with every plan. So if you prefer to go straight to the right places, here is a quick selection of bars in El Born depending on what you feel like:
For classic tapas and a local vibe
Bar del Pla is a safe bet if you are looking for traditional cuisine, great produce and an authentic atmosphere. It is ideal for starting the afternoon or for a casual bite after visiting the Picasso Museum.
For cava, vermouth and the neighbourhood’s essence
El Xampanyet is a must in El Born. Perfect for a lively vermouth or a quick drink, always surrounded by that unmistakable buzz that defines the area.
For wine lovers
La Vinya del Senyor stands out for its carefully curated wine selection and its calm atmosphere, ideal for an unhurried glass, especially at sunset or in summer on its terrace.
For vermouth with a great vibe
Bormuth, Café Kafka and Restaurant Club Bananas are all excellent choices for enjoying vermouth in different settings, from relaxed and classic to more cultural or music led environments.
For groups or friends
La Cervecería Catalana is perfect if you are looking for a lively spot, with a wide variety of beers and a generous tapas menu designed for sharing with zero fuss.
So whether you are in the mood for a calm plan or a more energetic afternoon, there is always a bar in El Born that fits you and the moment. And if you feel like continuing to explore more El Born bars with personality, this neighbourhood always has a surprise waiting. Plus, if you want to switch things up and grab quick bites between stops, do not miss our street food in Barcelona guide.
Enjoy the best El Born bars at Musik Boutique Hotel
El Born is one of those neighbourhoods best enjoyed slowly, one drink at a time. And the best part is that after trying classics like Bar del Pla or El Xampanyet, discovering vermouth spots with character or leaning into more bohemian options, you do not have to go far to end the night comfortably. At Musik Boutique Hotel, you have the perfect place to round off the evening with a great atmosphere and a carefully selected drinks list, without losing the neighbourhood’s rhythm.
And if you feel like adding more plans in the same style, you can keep exploring the Musik Boutique Hotel Barcelona guide to discover more corners, routes and recommendations just steps from the hotel. If you want a bit of context before a walk through the area, reading the history of El Born fits perfectly before heading out. And when you feel like changing the plan and seeing the city from above with a cocktail in hand, make a note of our guide to the best cocktail bars and rooftops in Barcelona.
So there you have it: head out, explore, raise a glass and come back whenever you feel like it, because in El Born the best nights often start out on the street and end exactly where you feel at home.
