Barcelona Montjuïc And Poble Sec

Club Apolo is the main nightlife draw in this neighborhood, but within its sidestreets, Poble Sec offers some of the best off-the-beaten-path late-night hangouts in the city. Lower Montjuïc is home to Poble Espanyol (“Spanish Village”), a recreation of famous buildings and sights from all over Spain, and a nightlife hotspot during the summer.

Tinta Roja, C. Creus dels Molers, 17 (☎934 43 32 43; www.tintaroja.net). Located just off Av. Paral·lel in a newly pedestrian section of Poble Sec. Red tinted lights, red velvet chairs. The dance floor gets serious, especially during tango classes W 9-10:30pm, (call for details). Specialties include tropical mixed drinks (€7) and Argentine yerba-mate (€4.80) Open Th 9:30pm-2:30am, F-Sa 9:30pm-3am. Cash only.
La Terrazza, Avda. Marquès de Comillas, s/n (☎932 72 49 80). On weekend summer nights, Poble Espanyol succumbs to the irrepressible revelry of La Terrazza, an outdoor dance club to one side of the village where you can sway along to techno with the masses. Get here after 2am and you may find yourself in a line of up to 100. Beer €6. Mixed drinks €9-10, although bars scattered in Poble Espanyol stay open late and serve cheaper alcohol. Cover €18, gets you into the village and club, plus 1 drink. Open June-Oct. Th midnight-5am, F-Sa midnight-6am. MC/V.
Mau Mau, C. d’En Fontrodona, 33 (☎60 686 06 17). Paral·lel, L2/L3. Follow C. d’En Fontrodona as it bends right, past C. Blai. Look for a gray door on the left as you walk up the street and ring the bell. Young locals sprawl out on sofas for drinks in this massive, inimitably cool hideout. Films screened Th-Sa at 10pm. Residents from Barcelona buy year-long memberships (€12), but out-of-towners need only sign in at the door. Beer €3. Mixed drinks €6. Open Th-Sa 10:30pm-3am. Cash Only.
Torres de Ávila (☎93 424 93 09), next to the main entrance of Poble Espanyol. Espanya, L1/3. A million-peseta construction that was at the height of club chic when it was built in the 80s. Torres is still going strong as one of the city’s hottest night spots, complete with glass elevators, 7 bars, and a summertime rooftop terrace with gorgeous views of the city. DJs spin house and techno. Drinks €5-10. Dress to impress. Cover €18, includes 1 drink. Open Th-Sa midnight-6:30am.
Instinto, C. Mexic 7-9, (www.salainstinto.com) parallel to Av. Reina María Cristina and close to Poble Espanyol. Espanya, L1/3. Small warehouse converted into a nearly tourist-free dance club. Themed nights of music alternating between hip hop, drum ‘n’ bass, and latin rhythms. Strong mixed drinks €8-10. Cover €12, includes 1 drink. Open W-Th and Su midnight-5am, F-Sa midnight-6am. Cash only.
242, Carrer d’Entença, 37. Espanya. One of the longest running afters still operating within the city of Barcelona itself. Serious partiers trickle into this industrial setting once the clubs close for even more alcohol and electronica. Mixed drinks €10. Beer €5. €15 cover includes 1 drink. Open M and F-Su 6-11am. MC/V.
Rouge, C. Poeta Cabanyes, 21 (☎93 442 49 85). Paral·lel, L2/L3. From Av. Paral·lel, turn onto C. Peeta Cabanyes. Look for the door on your left and ring the bell. Distinguished, vintage decor bathed in warm red light make this a hip bar and lounge with a clientele and a cocktail menu to match. Try the BCN Rouge with vodka, berry liqueur and lime (€6.50). Beer €2.50. Open W-Th and Su 8pm-1am. F-Sa 8pm-3am. Cash only.
XiX, Rocafort, 19 (☎ 93 423 43 14; www.xixbar.com). Poble Sec. The chairs leaning off the wall defy gravity, and after enough mojitos (€6.80) and blue gimlets (€6.50) you might be drunk enough to defy gravity, too. Good place for an early drink with a local crowd. Open M-Th 6:30pm-2:30am, F-Sa 6:30pm-3am. MC/V for orders €15 or higher.
Bodega del Onze, C. Blai, 8 (☎93442 71 16). Paral·lel. Swimming in lights, with a mismatched set of red leather and leopard print furniture, this relaxed bar is good for a pre-club drink, especially during happy hour (11pm-1am; 2 mojitos or caipirinhas €6.) Beer €2.50. Mixed drinks €5. Open M-Th and Su 7pm-2am, F-Sa 7pm-3am. Cash only.
Club Apolo/Nitsaclub, C. Nou de la Rambla, 113 (☎93 301 00 90; www.sala-apolo.com). Paral·lel, L2/L3. Cheekily-themed club nights (i.e., Nasty Monday, Crappy Tuesday) bring droves even on weekday nights. F-Sa nights “Nitsaclub,” a hip-hop/pop/soul extravaganza, features a slew of international guest DJs. Come early on M for “Anti-Karaoke” and watch locals stumble and soar through American rock and pop, usually with a thick Spanish accent (M 10-12:30am; €7, includes 1 beer). Beer €4. Mixed drinks €8. Cover €8-12, includes 1 drink. Open daily 12:30-6am, although club schedule varies according to live performance schedule; check online. MC/V.