In this new City Selection by Torres Brandy, Javier Reynoso will guide you through different neighborhoods of Barcelona. The goal: to get away from the masses and enjoy the city with all five senses. Because Barcelona is more than sun and beach; it’s culture, cuisine, and home to the best cocktail bars in the world for two years in a row. Bravo, Barcelona!

Monk

On this occasion, Javier Reynoso meets us in the Born neighborhood, in what appears to be a 24-hour supermarket. Really? Yes, behind this small grocery store lurks one of the trendiest cocktail bars in the city: Monk. 

Not only is it worth it for its exquisite and playful cocktail menu, the brainchild of Giacomo Giannotti, who is also in charge of Paradiso, the best cocktail bar in the world in 2022, according to 50 Best Bars. There are several reasons why Monk will surprise you. Its decoration blends in with the Gothic vaults and arches of the late 18th century building in which it is housed. Bits of the city’s history mixed in with the cocktails. A must-see.

Bobby’s Free

We move on to the Eixample district, to meet up at the clandestine cocktail bar, Bobby’s Free. This time, it looks like we’re going to get our mustache done in a barbershop.

Again, nothing is as it seems. Only if you know the password, which you can find on its Instagram profile, will you be able to get into this cocktail bar inspired by the 1920s and the era of Prohibition. Bobby’s Free offers a rogue atmosphere that features live music (Thursday to Sunday, see schedule). As for the cocktails, well… Originality in its purest form! Let yourself be amazed by the Hollywood cocktail, a hit made with Torres 15 brandy, passion fruit, pineapple, white cocoa and caramel. Irresistible.

Barcelona’s flavors also come through in its unique gastronomy. Culinary tradition, creativity and fusion are some of the hallmarks of the small restaurants where chefs put all their passion and experience at the service of their guests.

Alapar

Product, flavor and fusion. This is how Alapar is defined, a Mediterranean Izakaya that fuses Japanese techniques and dishes with seasonal local products. Jaume Marambio, Vicky Maccarone and the team see to every little detail. They’re all about passion and quality, and it shows in the dishes. Their culinary approach relies on offering Mediterranean products while applying Asian cooking, pickling, marinating and cutting techniques. As they themselves say: “We bring together two cultures that, combined, are wonderful.” Bon appétit!

Avenir

If you want a taste of traditional Catalan cuisine, this is one of the places. It’s an unpretentious, bistro-style eatery where you will enjoy small dishes or portions that fuse the flavors of the sea and the mountains. Don’t leave without trying the cured mackerel with coconut ajoblanco (almond-garlic soup) with burnt garlic and curry. Or one of its desserts. You will fall into temptation.

Montana Gallery

Barcelona is a world leader in street art and graffiti, and Montana Gallery has contributed to this. This exhibition space was created in 2007 with the aim of showcasing the talent of young local artists and established leaders on the international urban art scene. This shop and art gallery brings together artists from different corners of the world, where they buy everything they need for their creations. Take a stroll through Born and drop by this art gallery. It’s worth it, honest.