"This ultramodern space—part wine bar, part restaurant—has a daunting wine list with more than 3,000 labels, plus a rotating list of 50 that you can try by the glass before committing to a full bottle. Skip the iPad and put yourself into the hands of your knowledgeable server."

"It’s got trendy cocktails, DJs, and a fashionable crowd, but the real reason to head to this swanky lounge is for the views—of the sea, the sky, and the whole of Barcelona below. Located 26 stories up, on the topmost floor of the renovated oceanfront W Hotel, the sleek bar is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass; there’s simply no better spot to watch dusk fall and the lights of Barcelona twinkle on than from a coveted window seat here. The cocktail menu changes seasonally, but mainstays include the watermelon martini and passion fruit martini; there’s also a rather good sushi menu. DJs start spinning at 11 p.m. on weekdays, midnight on weekends, and that’s when the party really gets started—after all, nothing happens in Barcelona before 10 p.m. Be sure to reserve a table in advance, and dress smartly."

"Barcelona’s skyline is on full display at the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona's posh rooftop terrace.Soak up views of Gaudí’s La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló while sipping a pisco sour and feasting on fresh ceviche and sushi from the Peruvian-inspired menu created especially for Terrat by acclaimed chef Gastón Acurio. Sample a variety of tiradito (spicy raw fish) and maki —the colorful Chalaco Maki, with fried prawns, shrimp ceviche, avocado, and sweet potato in a peppery rocoto sauce is a standout. Terrat is open seasonally from April to October; non–hotel guests can enter after 6 p.m. Tip: Book a table reservation for sunset hour; the sun sinking behind the surrounding mountains is a spectacular sight. If the weather isn’t cooperating, the hotel’s ritzy Banker’s Bar is a great spot to splurge on a cocktail."

"It’s as much about the atmosphere as the cocktails at this historic confectioner’s shop turned bar, which retains many of the glorious details of its former life. Display windows now serve as nooks for small tables, the long wood counter has been converted into a bar, and shelves that once held sweets today display bottles of booze. The frescoed ceilings and tile floors dating back to 1912 are still intact. It’s a sophisticated setting for imbibing elegantly crafted cocktails; try a classic old-fashioned or an inventive signature drink like El Confitero—a mix of fig, apricot, egg whites, sherry, and whiskey, served in a jelly jar and tied with a ribbon."

"Splurge on Michelín star worthy cuisine at Ferran and Albert Adria’s Tickets restaurant. The man behind the award-winning molecular gastronomy at el Bulli and his younger brother are the great culinary minds behind contemporary tapas bar Tickets, on Avinguda Parallel in Barcelona’s theatre district. Don’t miss molecular favorites like the spherical olives, liquid ravioli and air-baguette from el Bulli that made it onto the menu. Address: Tickets Bar Av. del Paraŀlel, 164 08015, Barcelona"

"Craft cocktail culture is still relatively new to Barcelona , and Collage is on the forefront, serving some of the most creative mixed drinks in the city—including molecular cocktails. The dimly lit space in El Born features a small bar downstairs that buzzes with energy and multicolored lights; upstairs is a funky, living-room-style environment with sofas, wing chairs, and quirky artwork. The twists on classics include the Caribbean Old Fashioned—with banana-infused rum from Trinidad and Tobago, bitters, and an artisanal IPA reduction—and the Machu Picchu Sour, a sweet-spicy blend of pisco, mango, and rocoto pepper topped with a cilantro foam. More crowd-pleasers include the Zombie Sunrise, based on the classic rum tiki drink, served in a skull-shaped glass and, um, on fire."

"The man behind this humble sliver of a restaurant is none other than Albert Adrià, who, with his brother, Ferran, introduced molecular gastronomy to the world at El Bulli. That famed three-Michelin-star spot shuttered in 2011, but the chef now operates five eateries—all within blocks of one another—in the neighborhood of Sant Antoni. Bodega 1900 pays homage to the quintessential Spanish tradition of vermouth and tapas. But given that Adrià is at the helm, expect the highest-quality ingredients and an atypical approach. (Case in point, the olives here are actually made of gelled olive juice fashioned to resemble solid green olives.) There’s also an excellent selection of Iberian ham and local cheeses. Reservations are essential."

"Can Cisa—Bar Brutal Natural wines are all the rage these days, but this interconnected wine shop and tapas bar in El Born was one of the pioneers of Barcelona's vin vivant movement when it opened in 2013. You can choose from a lengthy list of natural Spanish and European wines; italso stocks some 300 bottles from organic and biodynamic producers. The Can Cisa wine shop entrance is on Carrer de la Princesa, while you can enter the Bar Brutal restaurant directly from Carrer Barra de Ferro. Bar Brutal's taverna decor is understated—exposed wood rafters, bistro tables, a long bar with high stools—with a few clever touches like mounted heads of a pig, chicken, and cow. The menu is similarly unpretentious, offering local specialties such as anchovies in olive oil and pata negra jamón."

"Stocking more than 7,500 wines and spirits—including a sizable number hailing from Spain—this bodega is the ideal place to discover specialty regional wines. The Vila family runs both Viniteca and the adjacent gourmet grocery, La Teca, which has been in business since 1932. At La Teca, you can choose from more than 350 kinds of artisanal cheeses and pick up Spanish delicacies like olives, anchovies, and, of course, cured ham. The wine store will even package your bottles for safe transit across the country or the Atlantic."

"First stop in Barcelona is Bar Mut. Great vibes, wine, and this house classic of egg yolk, prawns, and crispy potatoes. Hot damn, it's good to be here."—Matt Duckor By Afar Magazine"

"In buzzy El Born, across from the Santa Maria del Mar church, this tucked away wine bar carries more than 400 wines and 20 by-the-glass offerings that change every 15 days. Pair a glass of Raventos i Blanc de la Finca or a bottle of Juve y Camps Blanc de Noirs with artisan meats and cheeses."

"Forget Google Maps: You’ll quickly locate this venerable tapas bar in El Poble-Sec by the line out the door. With standing-room-only space for just 20 people, this sliver of a spot fills up fast—and stays that way until closing time. In a room lined floor-to-ceiling with bottles of wine, liquor, and pricey vinegar, you can sample a dizzying variety of tapas and montaditos (small bites served atop slices of bread). Many of the ingredients—namely the mussels, sardines, and tuna—come from cans, which sounds suspect, but Spanish conservas (tinned food) is actually of the highest quality. The cheeses—all fresh—are also top-notch."

"Fàbrica Moritz Order one of Moritz’s draft microbrews and sample tapas inspired by bar food from France, Germany and North America, with touches from around Spain . Main dishes from chef Jordi Vilà fuse Alsatian and Catalan cuisine, and the deep menu has over 300 dishes on offer."

"Mainland Europe’s first (and currently only) outpost of Ian Schrager’s trendy Edition hotel brand is topped by one of the city’s most scenic drinking spots. The indoor/outdoor bar, overlooking the red-tiled roofs of the surrounding El Born neighborhood, offers panoramic views that span from the sea to the mountains and include highlights like La Sagrada Familia and the Barcelona Cathedral. Vistas are best enjoyed on the sprawling wraparound terrace: Grab an east-facing daybed for views of the ocean; tables on the western side are ideal for sunsets. There’s a concise cocktail menu, a solid wine card featuring French and Spanish varietals, and several sakes available by the glass."

"Among the sea of rooftop bars across Barcelona , Azimuth, atop the newish Almanac hotel, is one of the few that can be enjoyed year-round. The glass-enclosed lounge overlooking the Gran Via offers nice city views but it’s out on the spacious wraparound terrace that you’ll want to park yourself, on a cushy white sofa with a stellar perspective of La Sagrada Familia’s striking towers. (Even in winter, heat lamps and cozy fleece blankets keep things warm al fresco.) Along with a well-conceived seasonal cocktail menu, there’s an especially good wine list that features several Austrian and German wines by the glass—rare in this Spanish-wine-dominated city. The low-key, sophisticated space gets a bit buzzier on weekend evenings when local DJs spin tunes until 1 a.m."

"La Barra de Carles Abellan The latest offering from Michelin-starred chef and elBulli alum Carles Abellan (Bravo, Suculent) celebrates all things seafood, so it’s fitting that its location is in the seaside neighborhood of Barceloneta. The marine-themed setting is ideal for diving into gourmet tapas, which include grilled locally sourced prawns, grilled Galician razor clams, and stir-fried sea cucumber. A meal here isn’t exactly wallet-friendly—small plates average $20 each, and you’ll want several—but the fresh ingredients and beautiful execution make it worth the splurge."

"Imagine a cross between a laboratory and a cocktail bar and you’ll have the successful experiment that is Dr. Stravinsky. In this dimly lit, dual-level space, surrounded by herb-filled glass jars, bubbling flasks, and test tubes, bartenders precisely pour, stir and shake various ingredients—including house-made tinctures, bitters, and syrups—with the skill of scientists. Expect inventively flavored concoctions like the Camp Nou, a refreshing mix of house-distilled gin and dill, thyme and cilantro syrup, and El Suculento, with tequila, mezcal, pepper syrup, and fresh coriander. No wonder that it garnered 2017’s Best New European Bar at the Mixology Bar Awards."

"Built (literally by hand) by two Swedish bartenders, this tiny no-frills dive sports a cool DIY aesthetic—distressed white-brick walls, recycled furnishings, edgy signage—and an ever-changing cocktail lineup that draws a devoted crowd. Beer, wine, vermouth, and coffee are also served at this café-cum-bar, which opens daily at 10 a.m. and closes at 2:30 a.m. The small menu includes playfully named entries like Pork Que… No… Si!!, a ciabatta stuffed with beer-braised, slow-cooked pork belly. Don’t miss the late-night weekend brunch with stellar dishes like fried chicken and jalapeno waffles."