{"id":469,"date":"2025-10-04T14:51:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T11:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aleksblog.com\/en\/?p=469"},"modified":"2025-10-04T15:06:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-04T12:06:22","slug":"barcelonas-oldest-bars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aleksblog.com\/en\/barcelonas-oldest-bars\/","title":{"rendered":"Barcelona\u2019s Oldest Bars: Where Hemingway & Picasso Drank Absinthe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Barcelona\u2019s Oldest Bars: Where Hemingway & Picasso Drank Absinthe<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Aleks<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Hola, chicos!<\/p>\n

In the very heart of the Raval district, among narrow streets and historic buildings, hide two bars that seem frozen in time.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll tell you about the oldest bars in Barcelona, where the mirrors from the 19th century still haven\u2019t been polished. Or where to go in the evening in Barcelona if you want a taste of history.<\/p>\n

Bar Marsella: drink like Hemingway<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Bar Marsella<\/a> (Google Maps link). Opened in 1820, it has preserved its authentic atmosphere and unique charm for more than two centuries.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\"Bar<\/p>\n

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A legendary meeting place for the creative elite<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Inside, almost nothing has changed since its regulars: Hemingway, Picasso, Gaud\u00ed, Dal\u00ed. Peeling paint on the ceiling, dusty bottles, mirrors covered with patina.<\/p>\n

Not some kind of gimmick \u2014 genuine vintage and authentic style. Don\u2019t get it twisted.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Absinthe, the French way<\/strong><\/h3>\n

No food. No trendy cocktails either. Just beer and absinthe, prepared in the classic French ritual: a sugar cube is placed on a spoon over the glass, cold water is poured over it, and sweet drop by drop dilutes the green drink.<\/p>\n

I personally prefer the Czech version \u2014 where the sugar is soaked in absinthe and set on fire. But back then, the Raval district was strongly influenced by the French bohemian scene, and at Marsella they still follow their canon today.<\/p>\n

Truth is, modern absinthe isn\u2019t the same \u2014 it\u2019s no longer made using the traditional method, and the thujone content (that hallucinogen) has been reduced to a minimum. But the strength, 50\u201370 degrees, remains. So it will hit you. Just don\u2019t expect to see the Green Fairy like Verlaine or Hemingway did.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Saved from closure<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In 2013, Bar Marsella faced the threat of closing due to a change in the building\u2019s owners. However, thanks to the efforts of local residents and fans of the place, the city authorities bought the building to preserve this cultural landmark for future generations.<\/p>\n

Also, Woody Allen filmed Vicky Cristina Barcelona<\/em> here.<\/p>\n

Worth a visit? Absolutely. I love places like this. Get one absinthe for two \u2014 the taste is an acquired one. A bottle of beer each, and you\u2019re ready to continue exploring Barcelona.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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London Bar \u2014 bohemian Barcelona of the early 20th century<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you want to soak up even more of the Barcelona atmosphere from the days of Picasso and Hemingway, head to the nearby London Bar<\/a> (Google Maps link). Actually, I\u2019ve confused everyone a bit. If you\u2019re staying near La Rambla, it\u2019s better to start here first, then go to Marsella. Just a three-minute walk between them.<\/p>\n

London Bar opened in 1910 and has hardly changed since. The interior is a bit nicer than Bar Marsella, but still feels like a museum without restoration. The place is no less iconic: Dal\u00ed, Mir\u00f3, Picasso, artists, and just the city\u2019s eccentrics used to drop by.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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As I\u2019ve mentioned, in the early 20th century the Raval district was the bohemian center \u2014 theaters, cabarets, flamenco tablaos. London Bar found itself right in the thick of it.<\/p>\n