Daily quickie: BARcelona

Months in Barcelona meant multiple late-night outings. Each evening was an adventure, checking out ultra cool hangouts and bars with awesome vibes. While divulging too much would be sure to spoil my fond memories, here’s a taste of Barcelona’s finest bars.

Chupitos (c/ Aribau, 77, Barcelona): This narrow, black-light-lit shot bar is always a party, bustling with locals and tourists from midnight to about 3 a.m., when the place clears out as party-goers make their way to the clubs. The specially trained bartenders at Chupitos specialize in making sugary shots for 2 Euros a pop. Large menus on the wall list hundreds of names, and though the names don’t say what the shots contain, it’s fun to pick a name, push your way to the bar and just go for it.

Some shots, or “chupitos,” are lit on fire and served with marshmallows that you roast before taking the shot; others are served with whipped cream on top; and yet others taste like super-strong mouthwash. There are even some “dirty” shots. My favorite was the Harry Potter with a flaming orange and all. If you’re lucky, and if you go often enough, the bartenders will even create shots just for you, like my favorite bartender, Raul, did. Chupitos is guaranteed fun.

Pipa Club (Placa Reial 7, Barcelona): This is a secret club in Plaza Real off of the famous La Rambla. Passers-by would never notice it, but those “in-the-know” know to ring the doorbell, climb the narrow stairs and be escorted into this secret jazz club with live music and strong drinks. Pool tables and couches add to the underground feel. It’s the perfect place for a chill night and a very local hangout.

Bosc de Les Fades (c/ Passatge de la Banca 5, Barcelona): This bar, a part of the wax museum off of La Rambla, is a sight to be seen. Meaning “Forest of the Faries,” this rather large lounge gets jam-packed and is decorated to resemble an actual forest. With tree stumps to sit on, leaves hanging from the ceiling and, of course, wax sculptures, the bar and its dim lights transport you to a magical place. Though it tends to attract mostly an older crowd, Bosc de Les Fades serves delicious sangria. A major plus – for Americans, that is – is that there is no smoking allowed inside because of all the wax decorations (It’s nearly impossible to find a bar in Barca that doesn’t allow smoking!).

La Oveja Negra (c/ Sitges 5, Barcelona): In one word, this basement-y bar is awesome. A five-minute walk from La Rambla, this tavern requires that you pass through a bouncer who looks like Hagrid from Harry Potter to enter the spacious basement equipped with foosball tables, high-tops with standing room and low tables for sitting with friends. More is definitely merrier here. Beer is ordered in pitchers to share, as is the sangria. Oveja Negra’s sangria is by bar the best in all of Barcelona – thick and syrupy, without fruit, and destined to give you quite a buzz. Be careful to watch your purse in the bar, though, because thieves target this popular place.

Dow Jones (c/ Bruc 57, Barcelona): At this touristy bar based on the Stock Market, the prices of the drinks rise and fall based on how many people are ordering them. Every half hour, the market crashes and all the drink prices fall. It’s really more of beer-drinkers bar, with only a few mixed drinks on the menu, but it’s fun to frequent for a relaxed night or before going out to a club.

Bar Marsella (c/ Sant Pau 65): This historic absinthe bar was opened in the early 1800’s, so in essence, it is a living museum. The gritty, grand room that makes up the bar has wirey tables and boisterous guests. The bar sells cups of absinthe with cubes of white sugar and a spoon, so that you can burn the sugar onto the spoon and mix it into the licorish-y alcohol. For those who are sissies, the bar also sells bottles of water to dilute the powerful taste of this liquor that gives this saloon its claim to fame.

Any bar on Carrer de la Mercé (Barcelona): This street is home to many little cocktail bars, but all specialize in “leche de pantera,” or the panther’s milk. This thick, alcoholic drink combines milk, gin, rum, peppermint and cinnamon for a tasty drink reminiscent of eggnog. Definitely worth trying for a local taste.

My end of the date rate the plate: While these bars don't serve any food worthy of good forking and spooning, they do deserve one heck of a big gulp!