How well do you know Barcelona City?

Barcelona is unforgiving by way of entertainment and like it or not after a very short time living in this City you’ll know what Barcelona bars serve up the best drinks, what  Barcelona restaurants serve the best Barcelona Tapas,  where to shop – when to stop , and even have a favourite Barcelona Beach. Barcelona City is littered with advertisements, posters are pasted carelessly on to walls, thousands of leaflets are handed out daily and you’ll even hear the odd instantly recognisable sound of a helicopters rotar blade slicing through the sky with a giant banner in tow. Everywhere you look there’s an invitation to discover something new and before long you yourself become a walking A-Z of Barcelona. However, have you ever sat down and considered how well you really know Barcelona City?

There’ll be a small majority out there who appear to know everything, characters with such a wealth of knowledge they impress and astound even the brightest of folk. Yet, with a past and present as colourful, complex and diverse as Barcelona’s it’s impossible to know it all. Therefore, read on and make room for a few more nuggets of information about Barcelona’s past and present that may of escaped you.

Barcelona’s History and Traditions uncovered,

When it comes to famous faces gone by and remarkable Barcelona architecture archives definitely border on the verge of impressive. The city is drenched in history and for every building, structure, space and name there is a story to be told. Look up and marvel at the impressive La Seu Cathedral, Sagrada Familia, and Casa Batlló. Wander through Parc Guell and been blown away by the colours of Gaudi’s influence. Take a glimpse at the famous Picasso museum. Or, go in search of the impressive collection of photographs from Dali’s life currently exhibited in the old town.So where did it all start?

Legend suggests it was founded by Hercules, 400 years before Rome however, others argue the city got it name from the great Barca family of Carthage and was founded in the 3rd century BC. This City is constantly full of surprises and the unsolved mystery of how Barcelona came to be only adds to its intrigue.

Along with its history Flamenco and Tapas are two words commonly associated with Barcelona. Few have been here and not sampled Barcelona Tapas, suffice to say every other restaurant specialises or at least dabbles in it. Thousands flock daily to the hugely popular haunts like Xampanyet whilst others take a smaller, less crowded approach to the Barcelona Tapas dish. Whichever way it comes it may interest you to know that Tapas isn’t a type of food. Tapas is a way of eating food, a small dish, mainly taken with a drink.

Alongside Tapas many who know Barcelona also associate it with the magnificent, spectacular Flamenco performances that are showcased here. In fact “Flamenco dance” is a phrase that’s echoed all over the City. Fascinating then to discover it isn’t predominately a dance! In fact Flamenco contains four main elements, the Guitar, the vocals, las palmas (hand claps) and in fourth place comes the dancing. It’s also interesting to learn that Flamenco originated in the South of Spain especially when you consider that Barcelona does Flamenco so very well.

Barcelona Today uncovered

Loving Barcelona comes from a mixture of history, of traditions and of what’s been introduced more recently. Nowhere, will you find the combination of New and Old living so perfectly in unison. For the Cities modern society it wouldn’t be the same without the lasting stretch of sand that creates the Barcelona beaches we all know and love. Yet, although the majority recognise that those beaches are man-made, what’s impressive is that until 1992 there were none!

Yet, for everything we love this City for unfortunately it’s not completely perfect and one gripe shared by many living here, often involves the chaos of the traffic. In today’s society Barcelona and traffic go as hand in hand as a red rag and a bull, quite aggressively to say the least. However, the extent of the anarchy on the roads only becomes apparent when you look at the facts. Some suggest at one time there was an accident happening every 90 seconds! Probably why a large amount of people choose to walk. Also, bearing in mind there’s a whole 130 acres, that’s 260 football pitches, dedicated to walking zones why wouldn’t you?

So, next time you’re stumbling through this familiar City just stop and think. Question how much you actually do know because in reality when you start digging deeper, Barcelona has a tendency to reveal some hidden secrets making it all the more exciting.

- Kerry Jessop

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By now it’s fairly obvious that we LOVE everything about the Gracia Festival. Can you blame us? Check out our newest video footage from the 2010 Festa Major de Gracia as it takes you right into the center of all the action! Watch the people in the streets  “Move their bodies” to the original songs of their favorite bands or covers of all-time classics. If you pay close enough attention, you might even pick up a new dance move to show off to all of your friends! (Hint hint) you should probably start watching/practicing now…

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The 2010 Gracia Festival came to a close this year with Calle Verdi del Mig taking home the prize for not only best decorated street, but also the award for best website design, and the best reuse of materials and innovation. Normally a landslide victory, Verdi’s “surreal forest” snuck past the runner’s up at La plaza de Rovira i Trias with a margin of victory of only 2 points. After having participated in the Festa Major de Gracia four other times without any special mention, the designers of the “dream garden” at Roviera i Trias could not have been more pleased to be awarded the Gracia Festival’s second prize overall,  as well as the accolade for “best lighting.”

Check out our newest video: Barcelona Gracia Festival 2010 – Part 2

Part 1 Found Here: Barcelona Gracia Festival 2010 – Part 1

Another surprising victory came as the “den of witches” at Plaza de la Vila took home 3rd prize in this year’s Gracia Festival awards ceremony, after never having placed higher than 7th in competitions past. However some disappointment and controversy came from the south of this Barcelona neighborhood as typical crowd favorites, Progrés (seventh) and Fraternitat (fourth) left the Festa Major de Gracia without ever reaching the winner’s podium. Better luck next year, guys!!

All in all we hope you enjoyed the 2010 Gracia Festival as much as we did! If you weren’t able to attend, then check out all of SuiteLife’s video footage from the Festa Major de Gracia to see just what you missed at this year’s celebration and to get yourself ready for what should be an even greater production 2011!! See you there!

~Leslie

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I’ll preface my Ibiza review by saying that, I do get it. Sort of. I absolutely understand what this party island has to offer. Lovers of house music (among other things) can travel to Ibiza every summer to work on their tan by day and see some of the world’s best djs perform by night…or morning… So yes, nightlife in Ibiza is pretty crazy and perhaps my expectations were just a little TOO high, but after my weekend get-away I’d have to say that I’d choose Barcelona over Ibiza parties any day of the week. Here’s why…

Wake up ->beach ->disco ->sleep (but probably not) ->repeat. Sounds ideal right? I literally could not have been more excited for my trip to the Ibiza party island. I even watched YouTube videos of ridiculous Ibiza parties as I packed my suitcase and listened to the HOUSE MUZIC playlist on my iTunes.  So when my friend Mari and I exited the plane in the Ibiza airport and saw the neon advertisements for AMNESIA SUNDAYS plastered on the luggage carousel, it was clear that for better or for worse, we had arrived.

We knew that our hotel was a little ways outside of town, but given that it is high season and even the cheapest, bare-bones hostels near most Ibiza nightclubs are astronomically expensive, we figured that we were making the best choice. Wrong. The island is huge, so unless you plan on shelling out a lot of cash to stay centrally, you have to rent a car to get around. There’s no need to lecture on the dangers of drinking and driving, so obviously your rent-a-car becomes a poor choice for travel to and from the famed Ibiza nightclubs. Thus, you’re once again stuck with the €30 cab rides that you were trying to avoid in the first place. Trust me, this hassle will seriously detract from your ability to fully enjoy nightlife in Ibiza.

Nightlife in Ibiza

On the first night we went to one of the most famous Ibiza parties at Pacha: “the world’s best club” home of the world’s best djs.” I’ll give credit to whoever did the decorating in that place though, because it was pretty incredible -or at least what I could see in between debilitating blasts from the fog machines. Half-naked women danced around in gigantic champagne glasses, while others frolicked around the stage in sparkly corsets and stiletto pumps. Oh la-la how magical!!  Every room was absolutely jam packed with people (mostly men) most of whom were hollering at and actually grabbing every female that passed by. At this point I’m thinking to myself, did I seriously pay €50 just to get man-handled at one of the TOP Ibiza nightclubs?

The music was quite good, although not one of the best djs I’ve heard (Tiesto IN Barcelona, anyone??) SO theoretically if you’re able to keep your 20 euro drink from spilling, all while fending off the sexually frustrated male club goers ranging in age from 16 to 45, and finally make your way to the dance floor then you’re definitely in for a good time!!!!!!! *please note my sarcasm*

In an attempt to be as thorough as possible, Mari and I were sure to check out all of the “top” Ibiza nightclubs. I can therefore tell you with confidence that they were all more of the same: Good music, insanely crowded, theme park-sized venues, ridiculous cover charges (60 euro to enter Space on a Sunday afternoon), crowds ranging from shirtless 16 year olds to 50 year old divorcees, overpriced drinks, etc etc.

Ibiza Beach Clubs

The beach scene was pretty similar. Upon arriving at Playa de’n Bossa, home of Bora Bora and Space, one of the most infamous Ibiza nightclubs, I was unpleasantly surprised by what I found. The dirty streets parallel to the beach were full of vendors selling knock-off Gucci bags and Ray ban sunglasses, and promoters shoving flyers in your face about various “HOT HOT”  Ibiza parties. And if they weren’t selling you a €50 ticket to one of the  “HOT HOT” Ibiza nightclubs they too were hitting on and/or groping every female that passed them by. This was a far cry from the pristine sand beaches and fabulously chic venues that I had envisioned when I dreamt of the Ibiza party island.  I must say that the Bora Bora restaurant/club was…well…entertaining

Mari and I soaked in the scenery as we drank our 20 euro mojitos (no joke) and danced amongst a crowd of people that were either so drunk they couldn’t stand, on some sort of illegal drug, or hooking up on the dance floor. Partttyyyy!!!

We did, however, encounter a few exceptions to that which is typical nightlife in Ibiza. Enter Blue Marlin beach club. Hidden away on Cala Jondal, the Blue Marlin stood out like a God amongst mere mortals. The Mazarati parked out front set the stage for a place where the “Ibiza elite” could come to lay on the white canopy beds, sip on their €100 bottles of Moet, and relax to the interplay of the melodies from the saxophone player and resident DJ. I’d be lying if I said that the place wasn’t beautiful. Plus the meal we had was fantastic in comparison to our other Ibiza meals, but again everything comes at price (and a high one might I add).  Blue Marlin- from the people hanging out there to the staff- can be best described as snobby. But hey, if you have lots of money to blow on your vacay to the Ibiza party island and enjoy the aforementioned scene, then you’d probably love this place.

Don’t get me wrong. I DID have a lot of fun experiencing it all- from the absurd Ibiza parties to the larger than life Ibiza nightclubs. However, if I had it to do over again my Ibiza trip would have gone a little something like this: Hit up one of the famous Ibiza nightclubs (just for the story) and then rent a car and spend the rest of my time driving around the island and exploring the small bars and beaches that are “off the beaten” path.

Next, I’d come back to Barcelona a few hundred Euros richer and head down to Opium del Mar and party like a rockstar for one-tenth of the price. But hey, that’s just my humble opinion!

~Leslie

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Trendy and posh, funky yet chic- these are just a few of the words that can be used to describe one of the most treasured neighborhoods in Barcelona- El Born.  From designer boutiques to hip nightclubs, El Borne is THE place in Barcelona to see and be seen at any time of day and all year round. Just minutes away from the chaos of Las Ramblas and the crowded coastline of Barceloneta, El Borne is a sanctuary for tourists and locals alike.

The centerpiece of this historical neighborhood is the famous Passeig del Born. Historically, this tree-lined street once functioned as the epicenter of all public festivities in Barcelona, ranging from jousting tournaments and holiday celebrations to the burning of religious dissenters during the Spanish Inquisition. Don’t worry though- these days you’ll need only to concern yourself with dodging the light-up-propeller-helicopter-toy-things (you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about when you see them for yourself) as they fall from the sky back into the hands of the men who will try to sell them to you for a euro just as their toys smack you in the head. No thanks buddy, I think I’ll spend my euro on the Estrella beer that your friend is trying to sell me instead.

Passeig del Born by Day

The great thing about Passeig del Born is that there is literally ALWAYS something to do here. Although the ambiance during the day is much more laid back before the dark sets in and the party begins, some sort of excitement can be found around every corner.  The benches on Passeig del Born are undoubtedly one of the best places in Barcelona to sit and enjoy some gelato or a slice of pizza, and “discretely” stare at the well…interesting.. crowd of people as they pass by.

Another one of my favorite places on Passeig del Born to partake in the extreme sport of people watching would have to be the ledge along the “Fossar de les Moreres,” a Catalan monument directly across from the Santa Maria del Mar church. While you’re at it, take in a bit of history by reading the poem enscribed on the torch of eternal flames.  It’s dedicated to the soldiers who defended Catalonia against the invasion of King Felipe V’s troops in 1714, and written in three languages if like me, you’re amongst the unfortunate, non-Catalan speaking crowd.

Time will fly by as you take part in the fun of “observing” while simultaneously being “observed” by other El Borne visitors. Before you know it, the sun will be setting over Passeig del Born, as it transforms into it’s nighttime alter ego.

Passeig del Born by Night

There is absolutely no better place to be in the city as the afternoon fades to evening, than sitting at one of Passeig del Born’s numerous outdoor cafes, enjoying a Clara or glass of wine and chatting with friends or that special someone (if you’re so romantically inclined).  Although I’m cheating because it’s not technically ON Passeig del Born, the outdoor tables at the Bubo Wine bar, located right in front of the Santa Maria Del Mar Church, are best location to do just this. Watch the street performers- from guitar and violin players to salsa dancers- as they display their craft against the beautiful backdrop of the immense basilica church that lights up the sky at night.

As the sun sets, you’ll slowly notice the bars, restaurants, and the street itself filling up with people. Sunday through Monday you can find groups of friends sitting or standing in groups right in the center of Passeig del Born, talking, laughing, and drinking. The energy is electric on even the slowest of summer nights, as Passeig del Born offers a little something for everyone.

SuiteLife TV’s Video Profile of Passeig del Born!

Passieg del Born “Must See’s”

Now that you’ve got an idea of what you can expect upon visiting this lively street, here are a list of places you absolutely MUST visit while you’re there.

PIZZA DEL BORN

Although for personal pride reasons, my visits here slowly decreased upon being offered a “frequent customer card,” I have to insist that you go Pizza del Born and try one of everything. Often referred to as “the best pizza in Barcelona,” Pizza del Born offers a flavor of deep-dish pizza for any set of taste buds. And with a “happy hour” deal of 3.50 for two slices of pizza and a beverage of your choice, you can’t go wrong. Sit inside amongst tourists and local hipsters or take your pizza to-go and enjoy the summer breeze outside on the stone benches. Personal favorites: Jamón y piña (throwback to an American staple: the Hawaiian pizza) MMMM my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

CREPES AL BORN

They had me at “cocktails and crepes.” With a menu that offers a wide array of both sweet and savory crepes and cocktails that are potent and delicious at the same time, this bar located centrally on Passeig del Born is a no-brainer. Sit at the bar and watch the attractive staff mix up €5 mojitos right in front of your eyes, and enjoy yourself amongst a lively and diverse crowd. If you’re feeling crazy, you can throw a €3 tequila shot into the mix. After all, what goes better with a banana and nutella crepe then a little bit of tequila? I’m joking!! But seriously…

ORIGINS

This restaurant gets so packed on the weekends that they need 2 locations on Passeig del Born just to meet the demand. I love this place for a few reasons- the first being that the staff is EXTREMELY friendly and attentive. On one of my first visits, the owner himself came out and showed me and my friend exactly how to eat toast the “Catalan way.” Additionally, the extensive menu describes the history of every dish that is offered, so there’s always something to talk about if you experience a lull in conversation! Personal favorite: La ensalada de frutas secas y queso de cabra. Don’t miss it.

DE TOT AL BORN

This reasonably priced supermarket in El Borne has a little bit of everything, from some tasty pre-made meals, to food on the shelves that hasn’t actually passed the expiration date!! Not to mention, (lovers of odd soda flavors rejoice): they even have Dr. Pepper and Cherry Coke-a-Cola. Woo hooo!

SANDWICH AND FRIENDS

Calm down, food snobs- give me a chance to explain myself. Although it is sometimes regarded as Spanish “fast food,” the menu at El Borne’s Sandwich and Friends has some hidden gems if you know where to look (Personal favorite: La Oliva). And might I remind you that quick service isn’t all that bad!!!!  During the summer the tables outside are always packed with extremely posh looking diners, snacking on their salads and looking through their Ray Ban Wayfarers at their undoubtedly cool blog articles that they’re browsing on the Google Reader of their iPhone 4Gs. And shhhhh you didn’t hear it from me, but if you don’t feel like eating or drinking, the WiFi password normally rotates between “bocadillos” and “cristina”

Side note: CASA DELFIN is also another good choice if you’d like to sit outside on Passeig del Born and enjoy some tapas or a glass of wine.

RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER….

There’s just too much going on around Passeig del Born not to mention a few of the neighboring “MUST SEES.” I’ll keep the list very short, as I don’t want to blow your mind with too much Bornformation. (too cheesy?)

PICASSO MUSEUM

Museums are a great way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon, but do you know what’s even better than viewing the famous collection of one of the most renowned artists of all time? Answer: Viewing said collection FOR FREE.  Entrance is free after 3 PM every Sunday and all day on the first Sunday of the month. So go to El Borne and get yourself a free dose of culture this Sunday!

EL XAMPANET

An authentic Catalan tapas experience. Heart of El Borne. Friendly staff. €6 bottles of Cava. Need I say more?

LA FIANNA

With the red interior, dim lights, and comfy couches and sofa beds, it’s clear why this El Borne bar lands on SuiteLife’s list of TOP 25 First Date Spots in Barcelona. Get there early if you want a sofa bed, because this place gets PACKED on the weekends. The food is mediocre, but for €3 you’ll get one of the biggest glasses of wine that I’ve ever been served in this city. The mojitos are also a crowd favorite, so check it out!

There are literally so many cool places on Passeig del Born, and El Borne in general, that I feel guilty only including a few.  This street and those around it can provide any wanderer with endless hours of entertainment. So whether you’re drawn to El Borne for the food, shopping, or the culture, be sure to spend a large chunk of you time on Passeig del Born!

~Leslie

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Haven’t had a chance to swing by our favorite Barcelona neighborhood for this year’s Festa Major de Gracia? Well, shame on you! Don’t worry though, because the SuiteLife Team has you covered! We’re SO dedicated to bringing you the most up-do-date information on what’s happening in Barcelona that we’ve been hanging out day and night at the Gracia Festival just so that YOU can stay informed.  It’s fine, you can thank us later!

We’ve put together an awesome video highlighting some of our favorite scenes so far from the 2010 Gracia Festival, and after watching it we’re sure you’ll practically be running to the Festa Major de Gracia to check it out for yourself! This video will give you a taste of everything the Gracia Festival has to offer- from the fantastical street decorations on Calle de Joan Blanques to the daring stunts of the castellers in Plaza Rius.

Part 2 can be found here: Barcelona Gracia Festival 2010 – Part 2

I went to the Festa Major de Gracia for the first time last night, and was absolutely blown away by what I saw. Not only are the decorations out of this world, but the vibe that that each street gives off is distinctive and more interesting than the next. I just aimlessly wandered around the streets of Gracia for hours, taking in the sites and stopping periodically to listen to whichever concert jam session was the most appealing to my ears. Entertainment at the Gracia Festival is endless, so I’ll definitely be going back to the same Barcelona neighborhood tonight! I highly suggest you do the same!

See you in Gracia!

~Leslie

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Gracia Festival: 2010

August in Barcelona is typically characterized by lazy summer afternoons and long siestas at the playa, with most locals and business owners taking off for vacations that render the city a ghost town. However, starting on August 15th one Barcelona neighborhood will kick off a thrilling week-long festival filled with parades, rock concerts, fireworks and more, that will inject some much needed life into our beloved sleepy city. So clear your calendar for the 15th-21st of August (if that’s even necessary), and head up-town for the 2010 Festa Major de Gracia.

Gracia is a Barcelona neighborhood, known for its bohemian/hipster vibe, lively bar and café scene, unique boutiques, bustling squares and “effortlessly cool” residents.  Well in advance of the Gracia Festival‘s opening ceremony, these residents begin preparing elaborate and colorful decorations- from giant paper mâché statues to delicate hanging lanterns- that correspond to the theme that they’ve chosen for their street.  They put in countless hours of labor in hopes that their hard work will render them winners of the prestigious award of “best decorated street,” based on the amount of creativity and originality that is displayed in their larger than life arts-and-craft projects.

About La Festa

The first reference of the Gracia Festival dates back to 1817, when Gracia was but a small, independent village, and not yet a part of Barcelona itself. Steeped in history and tradition, this Catalan “Festa” gives visitors an opportunity to get to know this one of a kind Barcelona neighborhood, all the while catching a glimpse of true Catalan culture at its finest.
Starting on the 15th, the district’s squares such as Plaza del Sola, Plaza Rius, and Taulat will house sports activities, rock, jazz and classical music concerts, food and wine tastings, and theater performances. Be sure not to miss out on some of the Festa Major de Gracia favorites:

Head over to Plaza Rius to see Cataluña’s traditional castellers (human castles).  Watch in anticipation as these brave souls climb on top of one another’s shoulders, forming teetering human links well above the ground. You should also be on the lookout for the Correfocs, or dancing devils, who frolic through the streets whilst banging on drums and setting off fireworks from the ends of their pitchforks. For a seemingly safer activity, check out the Gigantes, or giants parade, where enormous figures representing kings, queens, and nobles stroll around the streets at ground level and without any flammable objects.

What to Expect at this Year’s Festa Major de Gracia

There are a few changes to this year’s Gracia Festival to make it more family-friendly than years past. First of all, 70% of the activities will be taking place during the daytime, with events ending at 2 am during the week and 3.30 am on the weekends. (This still seems pretty late to me, but what do I know). Also, concert volumes will be reduced by 50% so that Gracia residents can get their beauty sleep.

The party kicks off from the balcony of Gràcia Town Hall at the inaugural ceremony on the 15th of August, with a speech from the chef Isma Prado and the much anticipated revelation of the festival theme, which is kept a BIG SECRET until the very last moment. In 2009 the Festa Major de Gracia theme was ‘Nova Cançó’- a nod to the 50th anniversary of the movement that promoted Catalan music and freedom of expression during the Franco Era. So be there or be square, and start placing your bets for this year’s theme now.If you were wondering, my money’s on a full-scale, larger than life tribute to Andres Iniesta and Spain’s victorious World Cup Squad…

Gracia Festival Cliff Notes:

Where: Gràcia district of Barcelona

Dates: 15th-21st of August

Entry Fee: FREE and no tickets required

Tip 1: Avoid the massive metro crowds by getting off at Lesseps or Diagonal (L3) or Joanic (L4) and walking to the neighborhood, instead of using the Fontana stop.

Tip 2: Go during the day when there are fewer people and better lighting in order to get the best photos possible of the street decorations.

Tip 3: Google translate in hand, check out the Festa Major de Gracia site for a detailed event program

Don’t miss: The street decorations on Calle Verdi and Calle Joan Blanques

See you there!

~Leslie

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Listen closely Barcelona newbie, and if anyone asks you didn’t hear it from me, ok? Bars like this don’t just pop up every day! So if you want some insider information on a Barcelona bar unlike any other in the city, then take careful note of what I’m about to tell you.

It happens at even the finest of bars in Barcelona, and sadly we’ve all experienced it: the utter disappointment that comes after taking the first sip of a drink that was poured so poorly, you feel like the bartender should instead be paying YOU to drink their awful concoction. So if you’ve thought to yourself on more than one occasion “Man, even I could pour a better drink than this guy,” then head over to a little place called Le Cyrano and put your money (€4 to be exact) where your mouth is!

Be very careful though, because you might miss it if you aren’t paying attention. There’s no flashing neon sign out front beckoning you inside, and it’s not promoted by the countless Barcelona nightlife groups on Facebook as the “hottest party in the city!!!!!!!!”

Well now you too can smirk knowingly at those who walk right past Aribau 154, oblivious as to what they’re missing out on. You’ll find yourself shaking your head as they pass by on their way to some other overpriced Barcelona bar, where they’ll spend the night yelling over loud music and sipping on their pricey, watered-down vodka tonics. So come on Barcelona newbie, let’s get you inside of Le Cyrano instead.

The Le Cyrano Concept:

It’s very simple and almost too good to be true. Just follow these 5 easy steps and you’ll be on your way to obtaining a beverage that is priced and poured perfectly to your liking.

1)    Stride up to the bar
2)    Tell the Le Cyrano bartender your drink of choice for the evening
3)    Wait as they bring the corresponding bottle (yes I said bottle) over to you
4)    Take said bottle, and pour for YOURSELF as much (or as little) as you want into the glass provided
5)    Pay €4 and be on your way with desired drink and mixer in hand

Voilà! It’s as easy as that. You can now head back to your table of equally content friends who you’ll find munching on bowls of free popcorn and enjoying the company of the local crowd.  Well Congratulations! Now you’re officially a part of the insider crowd at Le Cyrano. Feels great right? Now how could any other bars in Barcelona compete with that?

Le Cyrano Helpful Hints

Le Cyrano opens at 23:00, and if you want a table in a prime location (and who wouldn’t?) you should arrive a few minutes early. If you show up too close to closing time the other insiders will have beaten you there, so don’t make a newbie mistake and arrive fashionably late to this Barcelona bar!!

Might I also suggest that you be reasonable with the amount of alcohol that you pour into your glass. Putting the more obvious reasons aside, if you fill up your ENTIRE glass then you’ll likely be met by the disapproving gaze of the red headed spit-fire owner. She’ll snatch the bottle from your hand before you know it and then make you wait and eternity the next time you attempt to order. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen!

So no more complaints about poorly made drinks at other bars in Barcelona! Head over to Le Cyrano at Aribau 154 and party to the fullest on any budget! Check it out for yourself and let us know what you think, but don’t forget- let’s keep this insider tip our little secret!

- Leslie

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How to speed date in Barcelona

Have you ever tried Barcelona Speed Dating? I did. Of course I never thought I’d end up speed dating in Barcelona, but hey, you have to give everything a try if you want to have a Barcelona date, right? When me and my friend got some free Barcelona Speed dating tickets from our friends at DateClub last Saturday, we started a heated discussion if we should go or not and ended up saying yes but we seemed to be both excited and ashamed at the same time.

We were a bit anxious as to actually entering the venue, but once we did we were relieved. The bar wasn’t nearly as crowded as we had imagined. The lights were dimmed so it was quite pleasant and non-threatening.After, we got a little pack with a number and name badge and we sat around for a while observing other people entering the bar ready for their Barcelona dating experience. A lot of people were already talking to each other at the bar, but we weren’t really sure if they were friends, speed dating regulars, or just overly enthusiastic newbies.

The Barcelona speed dating event was divided in two different age groups ranging from 27-37 and 37-47. Most people came on their own, but when we went outside to catch a bit of fresh air and relax, we also met other girls participating more for fun and to give it a try instead of searching desperately for Barcelona love.

Around 8.30 the girls went to a specific table with their number and off we went. It was quite relaxing for us girls because we where the ones sitting at our table while the guys were the ones parading from table to table every 5 minutes. In total we spoke to 16 different guys and after the first 5, my mouth was more than dry. Also, 90% of attendees where native Spanish, so I got a really good chance to practice some of my Spanish skills. During our conversations, which basically covered questions like, where are you from, what are you doing, hobbies, etc. we had to fill out a speed dating card and make comments on potential candidate. After the 16th person we talked to, we definitely had improved our Spanish skills and had a lot of fun talking to a bunch of guys from different backgrounds.

My personal Resume:

In general Most of the guys where coming from an engineering or mechanical background and lived in or nearby Barcelona. All of the attendance made a good impression and didn’t feel sketchy to me in the least. In the end I wasn’t lucky in finding my ‘Mr. Right’ but it was a great experience and I can recommend Speed dating in Barcelona if you’re looking for entertainment and a fun night out. A ticket normally costs 20 €, but look on internations.org, they give away free tickets sometimes. A day after the event, you can fill out your profile on their website and check off all the girls/guys you liked.

If there’s a match (meaning that the person you checked as wanting to meet again has also done the same thing), you are able to exchange your email address. I personally don’t believe that Barcelona speed dating helps you find your true Barcelona love, but it definitely helps you get to know other fun people to hang around with. If you have found your perfect Barcelona love already check out our free Top 25 Spots to take a date in Barcelona.

- Miriam

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Didn’t get your fill of electro music at this year’s Barcelona Sonar Music Festival?  Well, electronic music-junkies rejoice because the 2010 Barcelona Music Conference has arrived just in time to fill in that digitally produced musical void!

Some of today’s biggest names in DANCE music will be in town for this year’s show, which will undoubtedly shoot the Barcelona Music Conference to the top of the list of absolutely must-see events celebrating electronic music.

First, I’ll go ahead and admit that before coming to Barcelona, not even one megabyte of my iPod was occupied by anything remotely resembling electronic music. My inner music elitist turned up its nose at the mention of anything that could be considered even somewhat “techno.” If you can’t name-drop your new favorite band in a conversation with your cool hipster friends then why even listen to it, right?

But all joking aside, despite the fact that today I still couldn’t tell you the difference between “electro” “trance” “house” and “dance” music without first consulting my dear friend Google, one thing’s for certain- I’m officially one of electro music’s newly converted fans. There’s just something entrancing about being inside one of Barcelona’s best nightclubs, surrounded by pulsating lights and the deep sound of the house beats that keep you dancing like crazy ‘til dawn. I attended the Barcelona Sonar Music Festival back in June, and can truthfully say that it was one of the most incredible musical productions I’ve witnessed in my entire life. And given the lineup for this year’s Barcelona Music Conference, I have extremely high hopes that this festival will produce similar results.

The 2010 Barcelona Music Conference will take place on the 6th and 7th of August at the Fira Montjuic, and play host to some of the best dance DJs in Europe, including Armin Van Buuren (voted number one in the world by the esteemed DJ Magazine), Paul Van Dyck and Groove Armada, just to name a few. Over 40,000 people are expected to attend in hopes that the event will transform Barcelona into the epicenter of Dance Music in Europe. Well here’s to hoping!

Festival attendees will get their fill of different genres of dance music, ranging from ‘Trance’ to ‘House’ during a 2 day, 12 hour “macrosesion” that begins at five each evening and ends at five the next morning. In addition to the main event at the Fira Montjuic on Friday and Saturday nights, Barcelona Music Conference will be hosting a series of sessions each night throughout the week at venues such as Opium Mar and Sotavanto, in order to jump start the party. Check out the BMC site for the full list of events!

Ticket prices are €35 if you want to attend just one night of the festival, or €50 for both. These can be purchased online at ticketmaster.es or multiple locations around the Barcelona city center such as El Corte Ingles or any ServiCaixa.

So whether you’re craving the addictive sound of thumping electro beats, or simply want to experience a European music festival at its finest, the 2010 Barcelona Music Conference at Fira Montjuic is sure to provide you with hours of spectacular auditory and visual entertainment!

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