Firebug

A smooth sipping stop from the people that brought you Milk, Firebug is a bar, bistro and restaurant in one in a gorgeous light-filled two-floor space on the pleasant Passeig de Sant Joan boulevard. Antique suitcases have died a noble death in order to grace the counter of the sturdy slaloming bar, eye-catching rugs and cushions with bright ethnic patterns have been liberally scattered around both decks, and dusty hardback tomes of Spanish classics convey a welcome air of sophistication.

Behind the bar you’ll find a comprehensive drinks menu, which amongst other things includes an indulgent array of gins and two denominacion de origen Catalan vermouths (…g’n’ts and vermouths being very much en vogue in Barcelona these days!). The kitchen serves up multi-cultural bar snacks, tapas and small plates, allowing guests to experience Spanish social dining – and in fact there’s no need to wait until dinner as during the day Firebug is a very pleasant place to stop by for brunch, which is served between 9am and 4:30pm.

Found just a few blocks up from Arc de Triomf, Firebug is both centrally located and yet blissfully safe from the tornado of tourists that rampage nonstop through the Old Town.