{"id":65140,"date":"2016-03-28T15:18:14","date_gmt":"2016-03-28T13:18:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/?p=65140"},"modified":"2016-11-08T00:02:44","modified_gmt":"2016-11-07T23:02:44","slug":"the-best-absinthe-bars-in-barcelona-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/the-best-absinthe-bars-in-barcelona-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Absinthe Bars in Barcelona"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Absinthe<\/strong> has a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">muddled<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> history; full of legal issues, health risks and counterfeit knock-offs. It\u2019s popularity rose through the European artistic and literary scene of the late 19<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">century, but was quickly banned over most of Europe in 1915. However, <strong>absinthe<\/strong> has experienced a growing revival since the 1990\u2019s &#8211; particularly in Barcelona. The strength of <strong>absinthe<\/strong> is what gives it fame, reaching between 45-89.9% ABV. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/the-best-absinthe-bars-in-barcelona-2\/#Its_all_about_the_presentation\" title=\"It&#8217;s all about the presentation\">It&#8217;s all about the presentation<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/the-best-absinthe-bars-in-barcelona-2\/#Absinthe_and_Barcelona\" title=\"Absinthe and Barcelona \">Absinthe and Barcelona <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Its_all_about_the_presentation\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s all about the presentation<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_65137\" style=\"width: 342px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/absinthebarcelona3.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-65137\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65137\" class=\" wp-image-65137\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/absinthebarcelona3-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Photo credit: kogs via VisualHunt.com \/ CC BY-NC-ND\" width=\"332\" height=\"221\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-65137\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo credit: kogs via VisualHunt.com \/ CC BY-NC-ND<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drinking <strong>absinthe<\/strong> is a cultural ritual which makes the drink spectacular to prepare, as well as to consume. There are a number of ways to serve <strong>absinthe<\/strong>, but <strong>Barcelona<\/strong> prefers the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bohemian <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">approach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means using a cube of sugar on an <\/span><strong>absinthe spoon<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> placed over the glass (the sugar balances the bitter taste). Slowly pour a measure of <strong>absinthe<\/strong> through the sugar into the glass, and light the absinthe-soaked sugar; allowing it to caramelize. Finally, pour a measure of water through the sugar, into the <strong>absinthe<\/strong>, putting out the flame. Then stir any remaining sugar into the glass until dissolved &#8211; the drink will turn a bright yellow\/green colour.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Absinthe_and_Barcelona\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Absinthe and Barcelona <\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To my knowledge, there are only 4 bars in Barcelona with <strong>absinthe<\/strong> worth checking out. These 4 bars take a lot of pride in their <strong>absinthe<\/strong>; selling the best varieties, serving the drink in the <strong>traditional<\/strong> way and paying homage to a historic culture which makes absinthe something to be admired and respected.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_65138\" style=\"width: 378px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/absinthebarcelona2.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-65138\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65138\" class=\" wp-image-65138\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/absinthebarcelona2-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"Photo credit: Daniele Falciola via Visualhunt \/ CC BY\" width=\"368\" height=\"244\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-65138\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo credit: Daniele Falciola via Visualhunt \/ CC BY<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Absenta-Bar-185131778207493\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Absentha Bar<\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Carrer de Sant Carles 36)<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">opened around 1892 and offers a quaint bohemian vibe to <strong>absinthe<\/strong> drinking culture. The bar has experienced everything from artists and smugglers of the early 20<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> century, to bombings and police raids. The scene is much friendlier now, with a wild array of decor devoted to art, music and <strong>absinthe<\/strong> culture which cannot be beaten. They serve the best <strong>absinthe<\/strong> and offer a variety of <strong>absinthe<\/strong> cocktails for those new to the<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> green fairy<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/discover-bar-marsella-barcelonas-famed-absinthe-emporium\/\" target=\"_blank\">Bar Marsella<\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Carrer de Sant Pau 65) is one of Barcelona\u2019s oldest and most famous <strong>absinthe<\/strong> bars. It opened it\u2019s doors in 1820 and boasts having served the city&#8217;s most famous names (inc. Dal\u00ed, Hemmingway and Picasso). The bar was even chosen for a scene in Woody Allen\u2018s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vicky Christina Barcelona<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The history of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/discover-bar-marsella-barcelonas-famed-absinthe-emporium\/\" target=\"_blank\">Bar Marsella<\/a> can still be felt within its walls &#8211; with dusty shelves, grimy mirrors and cobwebs growing on the chandeliers. The bar is very popular for tourists and locals alike, creating an visual ambience that time forgot. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.timeout.com\/barcelona\/bars-and-pubs\/absenta-del-raval\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Absentha Del Raval<\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Pla\u00e7a del Pes de la Palla 5) is the little brother of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Absenta-Bar-185131778207493\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Absenta Bar<\/a> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with a lively vibe and a restaurant and tapas bar to match. They serve brilliant Argentine and Italian meals, with typical Catalan tapas at a good price. The bar includes a wide variety of <strong>absinthe<\/strong>, cocktails, and live jazz and blues music. The interiors differ to its bohemian brother, offering a warm wooden finish which provides a great meeting place for friends, family or business colleagues. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/barpastisraval\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Past\u00eds Bar<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Carrer de Santa M\u00f2nica 4) has kept its historic boho-baroque character, charm, and flavour. \u2018<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s like walking into a museum<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019 we overheard &#8211; accompanied to the sounds of blues, Latino-American, and a little tango. Although famed for it\u2019s Past\u00eds, they do sell <strong>absinthe<\/strong>. The bar has been threatened with closure a number of times, but stands strong in the face of a more modern, gentrified <strong>Barcelona<\/strong> which may be losing touch with its local history and culture. This little dive bar is definitely worth visiting &#8211; before it\u2019s too late! <\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"display: none;\"\n    class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-valign-bottom kksr-align-left \"\n    data-id=\"65140\"\n    data-slug=\"\">\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 0px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <div class=\"kksr-legend\">\n            <span class=\"kksr-muted\">Rate us!<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Absinthe has a muddled history; full of legal issues, health risks and counterfeit knock-offs. It\u2019s popularity rose through the European artistic and literary scene of the late 19th century, but was quickly banned over most of Europe in 1915. However, absinthe has experienced a growing revival since the 1990\u2019s &#8211; particularly in Barcelona. The strength [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[615],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65140"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/72"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65140"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65140\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81936,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65140\/revisions\/81936"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65140"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65140"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65140"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}