Photo: Alterna2
By David Brydon
With such a diverse cultural and ethnic mix in Barcelona, it’s no surprise that the Music scene offers some fantastic places and just about every rhythm to dance to in the Catalan Capital. From Salsa to Blues, Rock & Roll to Jazz, Barcelona has it all on the live Music scene. Here are some of the best places to go:
Sala Apolo
Photo: Alterna2
Down in the theatre distict of Parallel, Sala Apolo has been rocking the beat on the Barcelona music scene for years. Booked as a live venue for artists such as Paul Weller, the grungy old theatre serves as a perfect backdrop for the alternative crowd. This is also one of the venues selected for the warm-up parties for some of the summer festivals such as Primavera sound and the Sonar music festival. Head on down mid-week for Flamenco and Rumba sessions, as well as the 'Nasty Mondays' night which has earned its fame on the circuit. Sala Apolo is located on Nou de la Rambla 11- just across the main Parallel Avenue.
London Bar
Photo: Kieran Lynam
Moving back into the old town, but still on the same street as Apolo, you’ll find London Bar. London Bar is an institution in the city (as bears the Council floor plaque to boot) and has been serving up impromptu concerts and great bands for the old town residents for decades. It’s also one of the few places in the old town that doesn’t charge to get in, and closes late – making it a great place to end the night. It’s a narrow but deep bar, with Becks on tap (one of the few places in town), friendly owners and staff and great music crammed in on a weekend. Expect anything from a 2 piece guitar combo to a full brass swing band. Find London Bar on Carrer Nou de la Rambla 34 – you can’t miss it.
Jamboree
Photo: Arteunporro
If Jazz is your thing, head on down to Jamboree – housed inside Plaça Reial, halfway down the famous Las Ramblas street. With such greats as Ella Fitzgerald having graced the stage, this underground jazz club is much more trendy and touristy on a weekend, but mid-week still pulls the jazz crowd in and Jamboree has won several awards for its eclectic mix of acts.
Harlem Jazz Club
Photo: BoHeMlo
Another ace in the pack is the Harlem Jazz club, located in the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter, and host to some of the best jazz fusions in town, including Brazilian, Gypsy, Cuban, Swing and just about anything else you can imagine. Free entrance apart from Tuesdays and weekends, when the entrance fee will also get you a drink at the bar. Located on Comtessa de Sobradiel 8 in the Gothic Quarter.
Razzmatazz
Photo: Toni Villen
Moving out of town slightly, to the industrial estate of PobleNou, and Razzmatazz looms over the neighbourhood bars. With 5 nightclubs in 1, Razzmatazz is the usual venue for breakthrough bands which haven’t quite made the grade in Spain - who then usually return to play bigger venues. Think Coldplay, Keane, Travis – all played late in the year and then came back the following summer to headline in the sports Arenas and FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium. That’s not to say that there isn’t some great local and international music, too. Located on Carrer Pamplona, number 88.
Sala Bikini
Photo: Alterna2
Another place worth a mention is Sala Bikini, located just below the Avenida Diagonal, on Carrer de Deu I Mata 105. Whilst the venue is fairly small, there’s plenty of room for rock, and I’ve seen some great bands there, such as Supergrass and Tricky and it always has a packed calendar with some of the funkiest live music around.