“Baixant de la Font del Gat, una noia, una noia. Baixant de la Font del Gat, una noia i un soldat!”. It is very difficult for any Catalan not to immediately recognize the refrain of this popular song that speaks of a girl coming down from the Font del gat after a romantic stroll through Montjuïc. This scene (now without soldiers, hopefully), will finally be repeated in Barcelona since the Font del Gat, the most popular (and at the same time unknown) picnic area of Barcelona has reopened its doors.
It has done so through Grup Confiteria, the restaurant group known for its commitment to historical places (Muy Buenas, Cafe Central, La Confiteria…). They have taken this 700 sq. m. snack bar from 1918, which revolves around an old modernist building designed by the architect Puig i Cadafalch, and have reopened it to turn it back into a popular meeting place for locals to gather around music and food.
How to recover the fontadas
Not so long ago it was common for the people of Barcelona to celebrate the famous “fontadas”, popular celebrations around a fountain where families and friends would go up to eat, drink, dance and party between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These fontades took place in the fountains that flowed from Collserola and Motnjuïc. Hence the song Font del Gat.
To do so, a popular restaurant where to eat for about 20 or 30 euros that seeks to be, above all, a cultural space where there will be events from Wednesday to Sunday, accompanied by tapas and grilled food.
On Wednesdays, the “Fontada Musical” offers live concerts of all styles, from jazz to flamenco. On Thursdays, pop-up dinners at the Sopars del Gat, always accompanied by good music. On Friday and Saturday afternoons, the garden will celebrate the “Fontadas de tarde” in the open air, a proposal designed to enjoy the sunset with friends, music and drinks. And when night falls, live music or DJs return, as well as outdoor dining.
Finally, weekends continue with more celebrations: Saturdays and Sundays at noon, the “Vermut Musical” combines the aperitif with live music and good atmosphere. In addition, twice a month, there will be open-air cinema sessions accompanied by signature cocktails.
Paella, brasa or bravas menu.
As in any weekend menu, the grill is the protagonist, so the Font del Gat will have paella menu (22 € with starters) or meat skewers (23 €) to finish off the vermouth. In addition classic menu with traditional dishes such as croquettes, Russian salad or coca de recapte.
In addition, wines and other festive surprises such as Menorcan pomada or cocktails with coffee.
Finally, the finishing touch: a petanque club that wants to compete with the best petanque players in Barcelona.