Watching soccer in a bar in Barcelona is no longer a piece of cake . The pandemic accustomed the world to the comfort of watching soccer at home and the prices of licenses to spend the games in bars gave a serious blow to that social ritual so settled: watching soccer in a bar between beers, the cries of the table next door and a plate of bravas that nerves have left half-eaten.
But not everything is gray, and there are still many resistant bars (even some instagram accounts dedicated, exclusively, to show soccer bars in the city) where to sit and watch a game surrounded by people and joy (or sadness, depending on the result) but, above all that, well accompanied by a cool beer and good atmosphere. So, here are some of the best bars to watch soccer in Barcelona.
Sports Bar Rambles
The option of the guiris. Nobody goes down to watch soccer on the Ramblas anymore, but if, for whatever reason, you find yourself in the area at match time or that visiting friend wants to meet you here, this bar is known for its vibrant atmosphere and multiple screens that make sure you don’t miss a minute of the game. Get ready to sing along in English.
📍La Rambla, 31
Black Ovella
If you haven’t gotten drunk as a teenager at l’Ovella Negra, you haven’t been a teenager in Barcelona. Maybe that’s why you don’t remember that soccer is usually played here too, and that with all the people that can fit, the atmosphere is great and ideal for watching games with a large group of friends. They offer pitchers of beer and a variety of snacks.
📍Carrer de Zamora, 78
La Higuera
Cozy corner of Fort Pienc that is what all soccer bars should be: large, spacious, with several rooms, tables with good space and visibility, a sober and solid menu of food with good product, excellent service and even the possibility of booking. Senior but great atmosphere.
📍 C/ de Sicília, 101, Eixample, 08013 Barcelona
Bar Estadio
In this list could not miss a bar in front of the Camp Nou. There are many (although now with the works are living low hours), but still, if someone wants to live the authentic soccer atmosphere of the city, nothing like going to Bar Estadio to feel the culerada and have a few beers with the stadium in sight and with good tapas on hand to accompany the comings and goings blaugranas.
📍Travessera de les Corts, 140, Les Corts, 08028 Barcelona
Sotavent
We continue in the upper area to find this place that could be an Irish pub but is a neighborhood bar. Projector, movie screen, benches and wooden stools, billiards and young atmosphere of Sarrià and, in general, culé. One of the best places to watch Barça today.
Snack 55
Like Sotavent, but in an under Diagonal version and for young people.Snack 55 is a big bar where a LOT of young people gather to watch soccer. When we see their buckets of beer and their tapas at ridiculous prices, we understand why. If we add that they put the TV on the terrace, it’s a great place to watch soccer with atmosphere.
📍Pg. de St. Joan, 55, L’Eixample, 08009 Barcelona
The George Payne
That Irish pubs are cathedrals to watch sports is a truism. Here, it’s a safe bet. In this giant venue that was once a cinema X there is now another popular Irish pub, known for its great atmosphere during matches. They offer a good selection of beers and pub food.
📍Plaça d’Urquinaona, 5
La Taverna de Barcelona
Calle Marina, wide avenue, no-man’s-land… it seems like there can’t be any good bars with a screen to watch soccer but, de golpe…. La Taverna. A traditional Catalan bar with an authentic atmosphere and Catalan tapas and dishes that is a perfect place to enjoy a Barça match… or whoever you are.
Watching soccer is all well and good, but being able to eat a typical dish while you do it is another level.
📍 Carrer de la Marina, 290
Sonora Sport Tavern
We return to the Anglo-Saxon world with this sports bar with Tex-Mex themed décor and a lively atmosphere. They have several screens and a good selection of beers and that, burritos, fajitas, nachos… Tex-Mex food.
📍Carrer de Pamplona, 96
El Reloj Group
We love the El Reloj group because they have franchised something as un-franchisable as the bar of a lifetime. From their parent company, El Reloj, in Laietanna, they have all inherited a blue neon signage that makes them recognizable, but different enough not to be related to each other. You still don’t know it, but you have been more than once sitting in one of the bars of this group.
As a good franchised neighborhood bar, they have long opening hours, a not excellent but acceptable tapas menu, reasonable prices and soccer, always soccer. So, when you don’t know where to go, look for the one near you, it will be a safe place.
Bar Borrell
Historical bar with almost a hundred years of history that, as a good guardian of tradition, maintains the sacred custom of showing the soccer with all the rituals: tables reserved for the patrons, big screen and a bar completely dedicated to the match. If we add beers at a good price and a very solvent tapas menu, Bar Borrell is a great option.