Monk Barcelona - Corner-Shop Speakeasy

Born

Feb 1

Written By Maria

In the Born neighborhood, you might come across a small corner shop, just like many others in the city, but this one gives off a vibe that there might be something else to it… When you go through in, a door inside takes you into a gorgeous bar. This is Monk Barcelona; the sister establishment to the famed Paradiso (a previous winner of World's 50 Best Bar), read my review here).

*Entrance to the speakeasy Monk Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.*

Monk Barcelona bar speakeasy — *Monk Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.*

In Monk, skilled mixologists make innovative craft cocktails, and the space is truly stunning. When you first come in, you’ll find a few different seating areas and a large bar. Make sure to check out the beautiful lamps: they are all exclusively made for the bar.

When you continue walking past the bar to your left, you’ll find the bathrooms. But this is not any old powder room: it is inspired by meat-cutting rooms in butcheries. One of the bathrooms has a large, random statue inside.

If you choose to go right, there’s a small room that makes you think of Superman’s cave, complete with kryptonite..! Continue inside, and you’ll find another large room with a DJ, a bar that looks just like a church altar, fascinating light installations on the walls, and a mosaic of the bar's namesake: Thelonius Monk.

*Monk Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.*

Monk is an excellent place for a fun night out and creative cocktails to fuel your evening. Be prepared to wait a little: this unique bar is very popular.

Monk Barcelona, Carrer dels Abaixadors, 10, 08003 Barcelona (Born).

Are you taken aback by the queues? Check out my post on alternatives to the most popular restaurants in Barcelona here.

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