Lluís' Experience in Barcelona

What is it like to live in Barcelona? Would you recommend it?

First I just want to say that I was born and have lived all my life in Barcelona but am registered as an Erasmus student as I am going to Padova in February. I am going to tell you about a few cool places and offer you some tips.

What is it like for a student to live in Barcelona?

Spectacular.

Thursdays are the best day to party as it’s the day all university students go out. Around Aribau street and Diagonal avenue area, the best options without doubt are: Costa Breve (raves and reggaeton, then mainstream classic tunes from artists like El Canto de Loco or Melendi at the end of the night). Spirits and a mixer are €2 all night and the entrance ticket is around €15 I think. Sutton and Bling Bling have an amazing atmosphere. Also, Otto Zutz with its 3 floors playing raggaeton, more mainstream songs as well as hip hop. Soho is also good although the people who go there tend to be quite young, around 18 years old.

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Entrance costs more or less the same: between €15-20 with a drink included. I should say that in Sutton and Bling Bling, a spirit with mixer costs €13. I can’t remember the prices in Otto Zutz and Soho but it is similar. Therefore, Costa Breve is by far the best option with spirit and a mixer only €2. Then there is Luz de gas with its clientele of people generally older than 35 and straight in front is Sala b, considered the younger version of Luz de gas. I have heard that it’s fun and has 2 floors. On Mondays the place to go out is Apolo which hosts the event 'Nasty Mondays' in Paralel avenue. Entrance is €15 with a spirit and mixer included. I would always book online in advance as the queues are miles long if you try and buy a ticket there. They play rock and indy music and there is no dress code. A spirit with mixer at the bar is only €10 and they usually play some bangers, guaranteeing a great atmosphere. The layout of the club is also impressive as it is a converted theatre with 2 levels. The only downside is if you are a smoker. As they don’t use stamps and there is no terrace, if you go out to smoke you cannot get back in.

The solution is to smoke on the dance floor yet this tactic doesn’t come without its risks, if a doorman sees you he or she will kick you out (I have been both a witness and a victim to this). Another similar bar/club nearby to Apolo lounge is Plataforma. I’ve heard it’s good fun and there is not a dress code there either. It also plays similar music to Apolo with loads of great Spanish hits.

Tuesdays are also good at Apolo lounge. They play more alternative music although it is not as popular as on Mondays.

Razzmatazz is the place to be on Wednesdays which puts on a gay night. The music is brilliant, it’s mostly rave or reggaeton. Entrance is cheap and drinks are available at the bar as is normal in Barcelona.

Fridays are another great day to go out partying in Barcelona. All the places I have already mentioned are good options. I haven’t mentioned the clubs by the beach in Barceloneta like Opium, Shoko and Pacha: these are always fun on Fridays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (most days basically). These are predominantly frequented by foreigners. If you want to practice another language it’s the perfect place to make friends drunk and maybe even more, on the terraces facing out onto the beach.

Clubs like City Hall or Boulevard in Las Ramblas are also supposed to be decent but I cannot testify myself as I have never had the pleasure to go there.

Another good venue for Fridays is Bikini lounge, next to L’illa Diagonal shopping centre as well as the universities. It’s a fun club with a lot of reggaeton and good international music.

Finally, if salsa and bachata is what you're into, the clubs for you are The Mojito plus another one which I cannot remember the name of in Diagonal and Paseo de Grácia.

Was it complicated to find accommodation in Barcelona? Can you offer any advice?

Research and look at flats well in advance. In relation to halls of residence, Penyafort next to the universities and all the Resa halls (there are 3 or 4 spread across the city) are incredible. They are always legendary drinking sessions there.

What’s the food like in Spain? What are your favourite dishes?

Sign up to a gym as there is a risk you will put on some weight in 6 months.

Restaurants/bars I recommend:

• Ciudad Condal – Excellent tapas, it’s located in La Rambla de Catalunya.
• El Nacional – A bit more expensive tapas, located in Paseo de Grácia. It is a bit hidden but has a great vibe to eat as well as to enjoy a few drinks.

What places do you recommend to visit?

• La Carretera de les aigües is a walk you can do in Colloserola mountain range (facing the amusement park Tibidabo). This is the perfect place to go for a run and is easily reached by car or by bus.
• La Sagrada Familia without a doubt. It’s spectacular. Book a ticket in advance online so you can avoid the queues.



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• Park Güell is another must see. Entrance is very cheap as well.
• Go to watch a Barcelona game at the Nou Camp. Essential.

• Barceloneta beach (where Opium, Pacha, Shoko, etc. are).



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• El Born and the historic centre of the city.
• The Cathedral.
• To impress a date, the restaurants Mirablau and Mirabé offer the best views in Barcelona. A spirit with mixer is €10 but it’s worth it.
• The neighbourhood of Gràcia (I recommend turning off your phone and google maps and just getting lost around there). From 8/9pm onwards, the squares Plaza del sol or de la Revolución are filled with students and young people drinking and hanging out. There is a great atmosphere.

I’m sure I’ve left some things out, but you will go on discovering places.

And what about to eat in Barcelona? Which are your favourite places?

If we are talking bars then there are countless options so I’ll just focus on the ones in my neighbourhood.

• Wonderbar and No T’hi Fxis are two great bars to get drunk cheap (a spirit and mixer is €5) and next to the clubs on Aribau street.
• The Irish pub Dúblins has good beer (it has Guinness) at affordable prices.
• Pippermint is also good to get drunk before heading over to the Aribau area.

• 2 minutes away from the square Plaza Universidad is La Surenya which sells super cheap beer.

What places do you recommend to go out and party in Barcelona?

Explained above.

¿Any piece of advice you would give to future students living in Barcelona?

Enjoy the experience. Manage your money well and take advantage of Thursdays!