La Llibreria is on a quiet street just a few steps from Plaça de la Concòrdia in Les Corts, and it has one of the cosiest interiors I’ve seen in a cocktail bar for a while. The walls are full of fascinating, eclectic artwork, the shelves are lined with bottles and all kinds of concoctions, and there’s another room at the back with comfortable chairs if you want to stay for a while.
La Llibreria, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
We sat at the bar, which I really recommend. You can watch the bartenders work, see all the bottles up close and the care that goes into the drinks.
The cocktail menu is detailed and full of references to different places, traditions and stories. We tried two and loved both.
La Llibreria, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
The first was the Canchánchara, made with spiced rum, flower honey and lime, with a dehydrated lemon finished with cloves. It’s their take on the traditional Cuban drink, and it was aromatic, fresh and very easy to drink.
The Rāmāyana was the one that really stood out for me. It’s made with almond, saffron gin, black cardamom gin, milk cream, green cardamom, fennel seeds and orange blossom water. It was unlike anything I’d had recently, and it was exactly my kind of drink. Floral, creamy, spiced, and very balanced despite all the ingredients. I loved it.
La Llibreria, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
The whole place has a very cozy feel. It’s intimate without being too serious or stiff, and the back room makes it especially good for a date night. If you prefer sitting at the bar, there’s enough going on to make that just as enjoyable. They also have a few things to eat, so you can stop by before or after dinner, or stay for a couple of drinks and something small.
There’s plenty more on the cocktail menu I’d like to try, so I’ll definitely be back.
La Llibreria, Carrer del Doctor Ibáñez, 24, Barcelona (Les Corts).
