Live Music In Barcelona 2012

I like just about all music, except for Death Metal and House. Here are three very different concerts for a musical March in Barcelona!:

1. 30 Minutes of Music (30 Minuts de Música) with Mercadante & Llull

At one of my favorite Barcelona hideaways, the Ateneu Barcelonès Marcelo Mercadante y Gustavo Llull will put on three 30-minute concerts on the 11th of March. The first one begins at 6pm. Tickets are just €8.00 (or get them here for a discounted price).

2. Antonio Mesa – Bcn Jazz Flamenco

At the central Barcelona club Jamboree, jazzman Antonio Mesa will play two sets on the 8th of March, one at 8pm and another at 10pm. Tickets are €12.00 each online.

3. Tinariwen at Sala Apolo

Called world music, or a ‘fantastic fusion of North African and pop music’, Tinariwen promises to be a unique show not offered every day in Barcelona. Tickets for this one are €30 each, less online here: tix

Post and photos by Regina Winkle-Bryan. See more of her tips on Spain at : The Spain Scoop.

Jazz Si

JazzSí Club Taller de Músics is tucked into the edgy Raval neighborhood in central Barcelona. This is not a fancy place, but it is an excellent spot to see live music for cheap. JazzSí Club Taller de Músics offers up flamenco, pop, rock, blues, Cuban tunes and jazz on different nights of the week. A Jam Session open to all musicians happens every Saturday at 7:45pm for those who play play jazz. On Sunday there’s another Jam Session at 6:30pm for those who play jazz. You can just come and watch, too, for €6.00 which includes a drink.

On Fridays JazzSí Club Taller de Músics puts on a flamenco show and it is one of their more popular events. This show begins at 8:45pm and is €8.00 with a drink. I’ve been to this flamenco performance and can vouch for it. However, the musicians at JazzSí Club Taller de Músics often change from show to show.

On Thursdays check out their Cuban grooves at 8:30pm for €7.50. Wednesdays entrance is free but you must buy something at the bar, same goes for Tuesdays. Mondays there’s a jazz show at 7:45pm, and entrance is just €5.00. The nice thing about this club is that the shows begin early, meaning you could eat afterwards.

See more on JazzSí Club Taller de Músics here: http://www.tallerdemusics.com/jazzsi-club/

Post and photos by Regina Winkle-Bryan. See more of her tips on Spain at : The Spain Scoop.

What do gators and opera have in common?

One of Barcelona’s strangest bars is undoubtably the Born neighborhood’s Palau Dalmases: Espai Borroc. I’ve just been once, and it is an experience I will never forget. The place is so bizarre, and totally worth a visit just to say that you’ve had a glass of wine in a 16th century Barcelona palace.

Unlike other bars, there is a doorman at Palau Dalmases who will decide if you’re fit to go in. If you pass the test you’ll go through several doors and a courtyard into the lavish bar space where taxidermy beasts watch you watch whatever show is on that night. Live opera is performed on Thursdays at 11pm and Bossa Nova is on every Sunday at 9pm. There is also flamenco performed occasionally.
Expect to pay at least €20 and maybe more depending on what you drink. For the right sort of date, Palau Dalmases is a unique and fun option. Dress up to make sure you’re allowed through the door!

Open from Tuesday to Saturday 8PM – 2 AM
Sundays, 6PM – 10PM

http://www.palaudalmases.com/biography.htm

Post by Regina Winkle-Bryan. See more of her tips on Spain at The Spain Scoop.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smoo

Bars for sipping

Three budget to mid-range options for sipping in the city:

El Celler del Nou Priorat:

This is a place that most tourists are not going to find, and a place that most locals, unless from the Sants neighborhood, don’t know about. The area around Sants train station is not a Barcelona destination, known for blue-collar housing and its slightly out-of-the-way-location. It’s overlooked and has become popular with artists and students in the last few years. El Celler del Nou Priorat is a basic wine bar in the heart of this neighborhood which serves simple dinners and Priorat wines, among others. It’s no secret that my preferred Catalan wine is a Priorat.

MORE: c/ Vallespir 19
Barcelona Tel: 934-905-952

Rita Rouge:

In the Raval area of the city, RitaRouge is a low-lit, funky bar, perfect for shooting the breeze over cocktails on a Friday night. Though it’s a bit chilly now to use Rita’s large terrace, it’s the spot to be in the spring and summer. Lunch and dinner are also served here.

MORE: http://www.ritarouge.com/english.html

Ménage à Trois:

First of all, let me say that I have NEVER had good service at Ménage à Trois. But, I keep going back. Why? Because the area it’s in has very little in the way of decent bars. Near it is the Rambla, teeming with crapy, overpriced bars, and further in there’s little apart from shopping. Despite mannerless staff, Ménage à Trois has a sweet terrace and full bar service.

c/ d’en Bot 4
Barcelona Tel: 933-015-542

Post by Regina Winkle-Bryan. See more of her tips on Barcelona at The Spain Scoop.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/camkage/