Lively cultural spaces in Barcelona
Barcelona is history, culture, architecture... and it is also a breeding ground for artists, musicians, and singers who have honed their craft by touring the city's bars with their guitar in tow. Estopa, Manolo García, Antonio Orozco, or even Rosalía, took their first steps in the music world by offering concerts in small bars and venues, whether or not they were equipped for live music. We are not talking, therefore, about established venues like Razzmatazz, Sidecar, Apolo, or Luz de Gas. Instead, we refer to generally dimly lit places, with an improvised stage among the bar tables where the singer of the moment could receive immediate feedback on their performance. Any space was good if it allowed them to showcase their repertoire while dreaming that a talent scout would offer them a professional opportunity.
Now, a municipal regulation has created a new type of establishment that protects these kinds of venues. They are called Living Culture Spaces and include bars, cafés, and other venues with a capacity of up to 150 people who wish to offer live music. The requirement to be eligible for this new category is, in addition to the capacity, to have a stable cultural program of live music, with a minimum of 40 events per year. In this way, the regulation protects these spaces that are vitally important for the cultural and musical fabric of Barcelona and allows young talents to start a cultural circuit through venues that, now, will be protected by law. We review some of the most famous in our city:
London Bar
Opened in 1910, this historic bar on Nou de la Rambla street welcomed within its walls Picasso, Miró, Hemingway, Machado, and Carlos Gardel. Marble tables, modernist decor, and a haven for Barcelona's bohemia. Since its opening, it operated continuously for 106 years, until the death of its owner, Eli Bertran. In her will, she appointed as heir the creator of the Historic Raluy Circus, Carlos Raluy, to whom she bequeathed the premises in the hope of giving it a new life. Thus, Raluy reopened the London Bar in 2018 with the hope of placing the business at the center of Barcelona's cultural life, with the idea of preserving the cultural programming through circus performances and live music.
Michael Collins Pub
One of the most legendary Irish pubs in Barcelona, with over 20 years of history. Located almost at the foot of the Sagrada Familia, El Michael Collins brings together all the essence of Irish culture in its two adjacent venues: native beer and whiskey, fast food to soften the blow of alcohol, sports at all times on various screens, and a continuous program of live music with performances that cover both traditional Irish music and international music 'covers'. A great option for having a couple of pints while listening to old folk songs that transport you to old Ireland.
Mediterranean
Located on Balmes street, 'el Medi' as it is known by the regulars, is a pub that opens 365 days a year and offers live music in a small format. Its regular schedule includes about three or four daily sessions, although special concerts and stand-up comedy performances are also organized for notable dates. The most curious thing about this venue is that despite its extensive musical offerings, entry to the place remains free. It is, therefore, a legendary spot in the Barcelona nightlife where one can escape to enjoy good live music, watching singer-songwriters cover songs from other artists.
Lunatic
A small street in Les Corts, almost where the city blends with the first streets of L'Hospitalet, houses another one of those havens where you can enjoy live music. El Lunatic, a basement that hosts a small bar with a mini-stage where live music sessions are offered on weekends and holiday eves, as well as stand-up comedy shows. Indeed, we are before one of the temples of stand-up comedy in Barcelona, which some of the most prominent comedians of today have passed through.
Aware of the tremendous vitality of live music in Barcelona, the Núñez i Navarro hotels also offer various musical performances open to all the public of Barcelona, where you can enjoy the best international jazz, soul, or pop-rock music while savoring delicious signature cocktails in a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere. Such is the case with the Acoustic Nights at The Corner Hotel, on Thursday evenings, a classic afterwork event in the Eixample. There, we can enjoy the best international music performed by Cece Giannotti, in a true sonic journey through the world of music.
Soul, funk, R&B, and black music have their own special place in the incomparable setting of the lobby of the Hotel 1898, in the heart of Barcelona's Las Ramblas. It's an ideal spot to enjoy music with a good cocktail, listening to classics from Otis Redding to Amy Winehouse, and including Michael Jackson and Rihanna. A great way to start your Saturday night before dinner or just to have a drink after a long day on the streets of Barcelona.
And how are you, the hotel group also offers other evenings to enjoy music in all its styles: Cuban son, jazz, electronic... And of course, Catalan rumba as well. After all, it's a living culture of Barcelona
