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Boadas

Barcelona

Merging modern technique with old-school class

To think of Barcelona is to think of Las Ramblas. Since 1933, to think of a Barcelona bar has evoked Boadas, the diminutive, triangular space just off the bustling avenue. It has provided a welcome refuge and proper refreshments to everyone from celebrities like Salvador Dalí to generations of locals whose parents or grandparents first introduced them to the bar's charms. Many come for its most famous tradition: the art of 'throwing' cocktails with theatrical precision. This technique, brought by founder Miguel Boadas from Havana's El Floridita, remains the heart of the experience today, even as the bar is now run by Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez, of Sips fame. Indeed, Caporale and his team have acted as dedicated custodians of the bar's history and traditions.

The menu reflects a deep respect for classic rules while refining technical execution. While many visit for the perfectly chilled Dry Martini, the Cuban classics – honouring the founder's Havana roots – are true standouts. Consider the masterful Hotel Nacional, a vibrant blend of rum, lime, and apricot liqueur. While the 1930s signature Boadas Cocktail (rum, aromatized, wine-based quinquina, curaçao) offers a masterclass in balance, the current team's newer creations also adhere to the timeless proportions of the golden age of mixology. Served by turquoise tuxedo-clad bartenders in an environment where time seems to stand still, these drinks prove that style is permanent. Boadas remains a rare historic landmark that feels as vital today as it did nearly a century ago.

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