Paradiso is the Born speakeasy hidden behind the door of a working pastrami shop on Carrer de Rera Palau, run by Giacomo Giannotti and Margarita Sader and ranked the world's best bar at the 50 Best in 2022.
Tip: The pastrami counter at the front is the entrance; the bar is through a curved freezer door at the back. Walk-ins fill the room by 20:00; reserve online for a seat.
Address: Carrer de Rera Palau 4, 08003 Barcelona
Two Schmucks on Carrer de Joaquín Costa in Raval runs a counter-serve cocktail list with low-fi food, a no-fuss door and a dog mascot, repeatedly ranked among the world's best bars at the 50 Best.
Tip: Door is first-come, first-served; the room fills early. The fast-casual cocktail list is the draw and the food sliders are the late-night snack.
The Original Old Fashioned on Carrer de Santa Teresa in Gràcia is the 30-seat speakeasy from Bruno Rodrigues, with one of Spain's largest bourbon and rye lists and fifteen variations of its namesake cocktail.
Tip: Tuxedoed bartenders serve theatrical builds in smoking treasure chests; the Pappy Van Winkle pours are the splash. Walk in early for a seat at the eight-stool bar.
Bobby's Free on Carrer de Pau Claris in Eixample is the speakeasy hidden behind a working barbershop with a monthly-rotating password posted on Instagram and a Prohibition-era cocktail menu.
Tip: Find the password on Bobby's Free Instagram before you go; the door staff want it at entry. No reservations; arrive around 19:00 to beat the queue.
Solange on Carrer d'Aribau in Eixample is the James Bond themed cocktail bar run by the Pernías family of mixologists, with a menu split into sections named for Bond films and a long luxury-spirits list.
Tip: Cocktails follow the Bond canon; the off-menu martini service is the splurge. Quiet on weeknights, packed weekends; book a stool ahead.
Caribbean Club on Carrer de les Sitges in Raval is the windowless rum bar opened in the 1970s by the family behind Boadas, with vintage Cuban cocktails like the Canchánchara and a brass-porthole front door.
Tip: Easy to miss; look for the porthole on the door of a 12th-century building. The Canchánchara and the thrown Negroni are the orders.
Arena Madre on Carrer de Balmes in the Gaixample is the Grupo Arena flagship gay club with commercial house and pop on the main floor, a Sunday drag-and-pop night and Monday striptease shows.
Tip: Doors at 00:30; the room fills after 02:00. Sunday drag show and Monday striptease are the long-running fixtures.