Best Bars in El Born
The Born neighborhood is one of the most popular and lively areas in Barcelona, and it’s also home to the Musik Boutique Hotel. Known for its narrow, cobblestone streets, unique shops, and impressive historic monuments, the Born is an ideal place to stroll, shop, and enjoy a good meal or drink while immersing yourself in the city’s cosmopolitan and vibrant atmosphere. And if you’d like to better understand the story behind many of those tapas, wines, and historic bars, check out our guide to the evolution of Catalan cuisine—the perfect guide to add context (and flavor) to your tour of the neighborhood.
One of the neighborhood’s main attractions is its wide selection of bars and restaurants—catering to all tastes and preferences—which have turned the neighborhood into the place to be for having a few drinks or grabbing a bite to eat. If you’re looking for bars in El Born for any kind of outing, you’re in luck: from traditional bars with a relaxed and cozy atmosphere to more modern bars with spectacular decor and a wide variety of beers, wines, and cocktails, El Born has something for everyone. In the following article from our Barcelona guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the best bars in El Born, all of them near the Musik Boutique Hotel.
Best Bars in El Born
Bar del Pla
Bar del Pla is one of the best bars in the Born district, and its location right next to the Picasso Museum makes it a great spot to grab a bite to eat or have a drink after visiting the museum. It’s a traditional bar with a rich history in the city; for many years, it has been a gathering place for residents of the Born. Here you’ll find a wide variety of tapas and traditional dishes—perfect if you want to immerse yourself in Barcelona’s magnificent cuisine. With a very welcoming atmosphere and simple yet effective décor, you can enjoy good food and drinks in an unbeatable location. Plus, if you want to soak up the sun and the atmosphere of the Born, you can do so on their outdoor terrace. If you prefer a more classic experience, you can enjoy your tapas at the main bar while watching them being served.
The Catalan Brewery
The name says it all, and you can pretty much get an idea of what this place’s strengths are and what to expect from it. La Cervecería Catalana is known for its vast selection of beers—both local and imported—as well as its menu of tapas and other traditional Catalan and Spanish dishes. With a lively atmosphere and impeccable service, this spot is perfect for enjoying a casual meal surrounded by friends or family.
El Xampanyet
If you’ve been looking for things to do in the Born or have even the slightest idea of what you’ll find when you arrive in the neighborhood, you’ve surely come across this name before. El Xampanyet isn’t just a classic—it’s one of the neighborhood’s go-to spots when it comes to dining. This spot never seems to go out of style, and year after year, thousands of people continue to visit it to sample its cava and tapas. And if you want to plan a complete itinerary to hit all the right spots, here’s our guide to the best tapas in the Born. Not only is it one of the oldest spots in the Born, but it’s also one of the most popular among both locals and tourists. There are often lines, and finding a table can be tricky, which is why we recommend arriving early or during off-peak hours. There, you can also enjoy its outdoor terrace while watching the pleasant hustle and bustle of the streets in the Born.
La Vinya del Senyor
This bar is known for its extensive wine selection and wide variety of tapas and traditional dishes. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with simple décor and an outdoor terrace that’s perfect for enjoying a drink in the summer. La Vinya del Senyor is the perfect place to enjoy a casual meal with friends or family.
Vermouth in the Born
Vermouth is a deeply rooted tradition in Barcelona, but it’s in the Born neighborhood where it has truly gained the most popularity and become another attraction and reason to visit. If you’ve never tried it, you should know that vermouth is an aperitif made from fortified wine, wormwood, and spices, and is usually served with a slice of lemon and an olive. Traditionally, in Catalonia, it’s also often served with a soda siphon so that everyone can carbonate it to their liking.
The tradition of vermouth in Barcelona dates back to the late 19th century, when this type of liqueur was first imported from Italy. Since then, it has been a very popular drink in the city’s bars and restaurants, especially on weekends, when it’s common to have a vermouth with friends or family before lunch. This custom has become a true tradition, as you’ll see if you take a stroll through the city on a Sunday. And if you’d like to round out your day with a classic local dish after your aperitif, here’s our guide to the best places to eat paella in El Born.
As we’ve been saying, the Born neighborhood is known for having some of the best bars for vermouth in Barcelona. If you want a quick answer, just scroll up a few lines in this article, since Xampanyet, Bar del Pla, and La Vinya del Senyor are all great places to enjoy a good vermouth in the neighborhood. However, here are some other suggestions for where to enjoy vermouth in the Born:
Bormuth
Another option whose name says it all. At Bormuth, you’ll find a restaurant offering exceptional value for your money, where you can enjoy the best traditional tapas and top-quality vermouth in a very relaxed and cozy atmosphere.
Kafka Café
Café Kafka, located just a few meters from the Mercat del Born, is a venue that blends the atmosphere of a literary café with that of a Saint-Germain bistro, embodying the bohemian, cultural, Mediterranean, and avant-garde spirit of 21st-century Barcelona.
Looking for something a little more off the beaten path? At Café Kafka, you’ll discover Barcelona’s most bohemian side and soak up the city’s cultural vibe. At this café, located very close to the Mercat del Born, you can enjoy a vermouth surrounded by an avant-garde and literary atmosphere.
Club Bananas Restaurant
Club Bananas Restaurant isn’t just a place to enjoy an extensive fusion cuisine menu; it’s also a spot with a great atmosphere, good music, and the chance to savor a vermouth either indoors or on the terrace. In short, the Born neighborhood is the perfect place to experience Barcelona’s vermouth tradition. But if you’re tired after a full day of sightseeing and walking around the city, another comfortable, high-quality option is to have a drink at the bar at the Musik Boutique Hotel, which offers an extensive selection of local and imported beverages and spirits.
Choose based on your plans: bars in El Born for every occasion
The Born isn’t the same at every hour or for every kind of outing. So, if you’d rather play it safe, here’s a quick selection of bars in the Born based on what you’re in the mood for at any given moment:
For classic tapas and a local atmosphere
Bar del Pla is a safe bet if you’re looking for traditional cuisine, high-quality ingredients, and an authentic atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to start your afternoon or grab a casual bite to eat after visiting the Picasso Museum.
For cava, vermouth, and the essence of the neighborhood
El Xampanyet is a must-visit spot in the Born. It’s perfect for a lively vermouth or a quick drink, always surrounded by the neighborhood’s characteristic bustle.
For wine lovers
La Vinya del Senyor stands out for its carefully curated selection of wines and its peaceful atmosphere, ideal for enjoying a leisurely drink, especially at sunset or on the terrace during the summer.
For a vermouth with a great atmosphere
Bormuth, Café Kafka, and Restaurant Club Bananas are excellent choices for enjoying vermouth in a variety of settings: from the most relaxed and classic to a more cultural atmosphere or one with music.
For groups or friends
Cervecería Catalana is perfect if you’re looking for a lively spot with a wide variety of beers and an extensive menu of tapas to share without any fuss.
So, whether you’re in the mood for a quiet night out or a livelier evening, there’s always a bar in El Born that suits you and the moment. And if you feel like continuing to explore other bars in El Born with character, this neighborhood always has a surprise in store. Plus, if you’re in the mood for a change of pace and want to discover quick bites between strolls, don’t miss Barcelona’s street food scene.
Enjoy the best bars in the Born at Musik Boutique Hotel
El Born is one of those neighborhoods you enjoy at a leisurely pace, one drink at a time. And the best part is that, after trying classics like Bar del Pla or El Xampanyet, discovering vermouths with character, or letting yourself be swept away by more bohemian options, you don’t have to go far to wrap up the night in comfort. At Musik Boutique Hotel, you’ll find the perfect spot to cap off the night with a great atmosphere and a carefully curated drink menu, all while staying in tune with the neighborhood’s vibe. Plus, if you’re in the mood to keep exploring in the same vein, you can check out Musik Boutique Hotel’s Barcelona guide to discover more hidden gems, routes, and recommendations just a stone’s throw from the hotel, and if you’d like to get some context before taking a stroll through the neighborhood, reading up on the history of El Born is the perfect way to start. And when you feel like switching things up and taking in the city from above with a cocktail in hand, be sure to check out the bars and rooftop spots serving Barcelona’s best cocktails. So now you know: head out, explore, raise a glass, and come back whenever you like, because in El Born, the best nights usually start on the street and end where you feel right at home.