60 HOURS IN GAY BARCELONA
Barcelona claims to be Europe's gay capital, and with good reason. Find out why using the 60by80 gay guide for an extended weekend with Club, Queen and King-sized recommendations on what to see and do, and where to eat, shop and go out.
Friday afternoon.
CLUB-SIZED
Set on the beachfront, with groomed, minimalist design and perfectly passable food, Bestial is the perfect introduction to Barcelona. Then jump on the Bus Turístic and take in the major sights in one go. Do take time at Park Guëll.
QUEEN-SIZED
Spend the afternoon exploring Raval. Work up an appetite at the Boqueria market for lunch at Dos Palillos where Albert Raurich, former commander-in-chief at El Bulli seves Asian-inspired tapas. Digest artfully at MACBA.
KING-SIZED
Head up Montjuïc, Barcelona's green heart and home to some of our favourite sights, including the Miró Foundation and Mies van der Rohe Pavilion. Refuel at the sumptuous lunch-only Oleum restaurant at MNAC.
Friday evening.
CLUB-SIZED
Sometimes the setting is more important than the food and that's the premise at Flamant; the perfect place to start for a night out in Gayxample with its buzzy atmosphere and great decor - and it'll get you fed, too.
QUEEN-SIZED
How many El Bulli-alumni would profess to employ only “call boys, lesbians and fags”? Santa is a minimalist, culinary oasis where the dishes are best enjoyed when shared and, like chef Paco Guzmán, the atmosphere is laidback.
KING-SIZED
The in-house restaurant at the W is now up and running, and Bravo24, the latest outpost for local wunderkind and Michelin-starred Carles Abellán, is already one of the hottest tables in town.
MORE DINING REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN OUR BARCELONA RESTAURANT GUIDE
Friday night.
CLUB-SIZED
Metro is where everybody eventually ends up on Fridays: drama queens, Muscle Marys, fems, chubby chasers, tourists and everybody else who is out. Sit out the wait for 3am at Gayxample strongholds Zeltas or Lust.
QUEEN-SIZED
An intimate sixth floor setting, filled with black lacquer furniture, velvet curtains and filigree wallpaper, and a stupendous outdoor terrace to go with its gay-friendly attitude keep Angels & Kings busy, despite its remote location.
KING-SIZED
The atmosphere can be a tad chi-chi, but occupying the top deck of the 26-floor W hotel with unmatched views of Barcelona, there’s no better spot to swirl a martini than Eclipse.
MORE SUGGESTIONS FOR GOING OUT IN OUR BARCELONA GAY NIGHTLIFE SECTION
Saturday morning.
CLUB-SIZED
Buff up at Club Natació Atletic in Barceloneta. No luxury amenities, but great pool facilities and sun loungers overlooking the beach. And being home to one of Spain’s best waterpolo teams, the Med's not the only nice view.
QUEEN-SIZED
Aire de Barcelona in El Born – think black granite and quartz blended in with the existing brick and stone walls – is a lushly designed modern Arab bath house set in a converted warehouse. Detox and recharge here.
KING-SIZED
The majority of clients at the Six Senses spa may be of the ladies-who-lunch mould, but don’t take notice and enjoy the stunning views from its 42nd and 43rd floor location – even from inside the sauna.
Saturday afternoon.
CLUB-SIZED
Oh, what to wear tonight? The intersection of Muntaner and Consell de Cent is retail central of Gayxample. Find outfits for the weekend ranging from the cool to the downright tacky after lunch at the busy Iurantia.
QUEEN-SIZED
Go for a tapas lunch at Santa Maria in boho-chic El Born, then do your bit for the economy shopping. Trainers from Casa Munich or bespoke designs from Oscar H Grand? Contemplate the decision at Santa Maria del Mar.
KING-SIZED
Discover why Koy Shunka is Ferran Adrià's fave sushi place, then head up Passeig de Gracia for some luxe shopping. Vinçon, Santa Eulalia and The Outpost are worthwhile stops - as is the wonderous La Pedrera.
Saturday evening.
CLUB-SIZED
It’s by no means a Nobu or a Koy Shunka, but the maki rolls in particular are very good at Miu Japonés, and the setting belies the moderate prices. And it's only a skip and a hop from the main bar zone for post-dinner fun.
QUEEN-SIZED
A handsome crowd, a delightful interior and great cocktails at Big Fish but, as the name allures to, the fish is what really sets it apart. Would you expect anything less from an owner who’s a professional fishmonger?
KING-SIZED
The W is not the only hot new hotel in town: Mandarin Oriental is now open and Carme Ruscelleda is in charge of its Moments restaurant. With five Michelin stars to her name, this is a place you want to try before word gets out.
MORE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EATING OUT IN OUR BARCELONA RESTAURANT SECTION
Saturday night.
CLUB-SIZED
DBoy remains the place to be for club kids and gym bunnies on Saturday and will wow first-timers with its lasers and topless talent. Before, drinks at Bim Bam Bum. After, if you've still got the energy, a trip to (or at) Souvenir.
QUEEN-SIZED
Bars in Raval are known for offering stiffer drinks, a lighter attitude and a friendlier crowd than those in Gayxample. To sample, try out gay triumvirate La Penultima, Frutti Pop, and Museum.
KING-SIZED
Put your drinks on credit at the Banker's Bar at Mandarin Oriental. B&B Italia designer Patricia Urquiola has turned the former bank space into a safe place to knock down a cocktail or six - no crisis here, just understated luxury.
Sunday day.
CLUB-SIZED
Mar Bella is the place to be in summer, but Barcelona's beachside is pleasant all year around. Recover from Saturday's excesses with an arroz caldoso con bogavante at Catamaran, the last of the chiringuitos on Bogatell.
QUEEN-SIZED
Although only 30-40 minutes away by train, ever fewer make the trip to Sitges, the first real gay destination in Spain. Those who do go are rewarded with a great beach and a charming old city centre.
KING-SIZED
While the veritable feast that is brunch at L'Orangerie doesn't come cheap, the spectacular city view is included in the price. You'll need a car, but it makes a worthwhile excursion and you can explore Tibidabo en route.
Sunday evening.
CLUB-SIZED
Nicknamed the “Gay Diner” among locals, boys are lured to El Berro by its dirt cheap evening set menu, even cheaper platos combinados, and first row seats to see the passing trade at this busy Gayxample corner.
QUEEN-SIZED
If there is such a thing as a Barcelona institution, Bar Velódromo is one. Now restored to its original glory, pop in for a laid-back game of snooker and an order of tapas and classic Catalan bistro dishes.
KING-SIZED
Local top chefs have moved on from molecular gastronomy to reinventing old classics from the traditional Catalan kitchen with better raw ingredients and improved techniques. Petit Comité does this to perfection.
Sunday night.
CLUB-SIZED
Taking inspiration from London’s Horse Meat Disco, the new Athletic Disco Club night at Zac Club seeks to be the new queer party for everybody.
QUEEN-SIZED
Grab a seat by the full-length windows at Plata and be ready to pounce; Sunday night can be a hit-or-miss night out in Gayxample, but here you can monitor who’s out and about, where, and with whom.
KING-SIZED
Barrio Gótico warrants a stroll at night when the lights are on. Then head over to Gimlet in El Born: Swing open the doors to this classic little gem, break through the curtains and tank up on mixology at its finest.
FIND RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHERE TO STAY IN BARCELONA IN OUR HOTELS SECTION
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