Beachfront bars in Barcelona

Here you can dig into a delectable meal and enjoy a cheeky drink or two. Or simply chill out with the magical Mediterranean as your backdrop!

Barcelona’s Chiringuitos

By Duncan Rhodes

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The much-loved chiringuito is every bit a part of Spanish culture as flamenco, Cervantes and staying up all night partying. Essentially little more than a shack in the sand that sells food and cold beverages, the best way to translate them into English would simply be ‘beach bars’. Let’s take a look at the scene…

Chiringuitos: Humble Beach Shacks

Despite their garden shed appearance, and overall lack of bells and whistles, Barcelona’s homely chiringuitos are fiercely popular with locals and tourists throughout summer. After all what could be better than sitting on a lovely wooden terrace by the sea with a bit of shade over your head and a sexy senor/ita serving you up ice-cold mojitos and cerveza?

You can find chiringuitos up and down Spain’s scorching coastlines, and fortunately Barcelona has its fair share of beach bars too, starting on Barceloneta Beach itself, and running all the way north via Platja de Bogatell and Platja de Marbella (the home of two gay chiringuitos) to Platja Llevant. When the sun goes down these tropical-style havens don’t pack up their bags, but DJs often turn up and spin some relaxing tunes for that Ibiza-style sun-down experience.

Chilling out at Vai Moana, a classic chiringuito…

Unfortunately, due to some such nonsense as noise regulations or planning permission, or some other tedious administrative issue that only an exceptionally boring person in a suit could possibly care about, the chiringuito is under threat of closure. Which as far as Barcelona Life is concerned would be a disaster far worse than a piffling economic crisis… We’ll keep you updated with any news, not to mention spearhead any ‘Save Our Chiringuitos’ campaign if necessary. In the meantime order yourself another jug of sangria and an ice cream and enjoy the views! (Update: they still seem to be going strong! Although wild parties on the sands may be a thing of the past).

Whilst the classic chiringuito was always a basic, ill-stocked shack of low key magnificence, the last few years have seen a more modern incarnation invade the city’s sands, often run by top chefs or hospitality groups. Whilst the prices may have gone up, we won’t grumble too much as the increase in quality, selection and decor of some of these “chi-chi-ringuitos” is usually worth the extra couple of yoyos (that’s coolspeak for euros btw).

And in addition to the sheds literally on the sand, Barcelona also has plenty of more upmarket, lounge-style beach bars and clubs along its maritime boulevards, in which you can sip a pina colada and flash your designer labels with an ocean view. Most are positioned in a singular strip of decadent terraces on the end of Barceloneta beach, just under the two towers in the Port Olimpic area, and form an integral part of the city’s nocturnal scene. See below for more…

Barcelona’s Chiringuitos

A small selection of our favourite beach shacks…

1. Vai Moana

Generally speaking you have to go a bit further than Barceloneta beach to find a truly great chiringuito. Vai Moana is found on the sands of Bogatell and boasts free WiFi, sun loungers, a menu featuring plenty of healthy options (alongside sangria and cocktails), and decor inspired by Polynesia’s Easter Island.
www.panteabeach.com/vai-moana

2. Xiringuito Escribà

More of a beach restaurant than a bona fide chiringuito, Escriba is famous amongst locals as serving up some of the best paella dishes in Barcelona. If you fancy some seafood-infused rice with Mediterranean vistas look no further…
restaurantsescriba.com/xiringuitoescriba

3. Beach Garden

Set just a little back from the sands, this charismatic watering hole is less crowded and touristic than most of its neighbours, with reasonable prices and occasional live music to boot. The potted plants and bamboo canes help create a calm oasis away from the Barceloneta madness. Find it on the Plaça del Mar, on the right as you look up towards the W-Hotel. Find a few details on their website, clearly created by a deluded SEO ‘expert’.

4. Chiringuito BeGay

Barcelona is one of the world’s most liberal cities, certainly when it comes to attitudes towards sexuality, but just to be sure you end up mixing with your crowd this beach shack is taking no chances… find it on Marbella beach, the most popular sands within the gay community in BCN.
www.chiringuitobegay.com

Chiringuitos

The chiringuitos of Barcelona are a favorite among visitors and locals alike during the warm summer months. They are best described as open shacks built on the sand.

Patrons can unwind during the day and party at night – a great place to relax from dusk ‘til dawn. These cool beach bars offer a wide variety of drinks and snacks. You’ll find authentic tapas and some of the best seafood in the city.

With some chiringuitos hosting live DJ sets, you can even enjoy a memorable beach party or catch some summer sports on the big screen TVs!

Whether you’re renting one of the many beach apartments in Barcelona and are looking to frequent these summer hotspots daily, or you’re just in search of a place to shake off the heat, head to one of these top chiringuitos or beach bars in Barcelona:

El Xiringuito de Escribà

El Xiringuito de Escribà is located on the beautiful Bogatell Beach. It offers a delicious take on typical Mediterranean cuisine as well as some fresh seafood dishes.

This bar-restaurant has a menu of cool cocktails to enjoy with your meal and is situated on one of the trendiest beaches in Barcelona. Be sure to save some room for dessert, as this venue is renowned for satisfying that sweet tooth!

Where to find it: Avinguda del Litoral, 42. Metro L4-Ciutadella/Vila Olímpica Website: Xiringuitoescriba.com

Icebarcelona

In search of a truly unique night out? If so, look no further than IceBarcelona! This ice bar is situated just steps from the beach, making it one of the top spots to cool down on a hot summer night. No need to bring a jacket, for as soon as you walk in, you’ll be handed a cozy winter coat and gloves.

Don’t miss your chance to take a seat on one of the Park Güell-style benches while you enjoy your drinks that come served in frozen ice glasses. This one’s a great place to “chill” out!

Where to find it: C/ Ramón Trias Fargas, 2. Metro L4 -Ciutadella/Vila Olímpica Website: icebarcelona.com

5 of the best beach bars in Barcelona

While Barcelona has many amazing beach bars, Barcelona’s beaches extend for miles and there are too many beach bars to visit during a shorter trip. Barcelona’s beach bars have a variety of different menus and locations. Most guinguetes are quite expensive, but some have more bang for the buck.

1. La Deliciosa

With an incredibly expansive drinks’ menu with numerous different options for both entrées and tapas, La Deliciosa has it all. Located on Barcelona’s most popular beach, Barceloneta, La Deliciosa is right at the centre of one of the busiest regions of the city. The bar is right on the beachfront, with a gorgeous view and easy access to Barceloneta’s beach sports. The bar has an open-air building with hammocks for sunbathing outside. Its drinks’ menu includes many cocktails, sangria, vermut, and coffee and cold-pressed juices for those looking for non-alcoholic options. This is the perfect place to relax at one of Barcelona’s busiest beaches.

2. Via Moana

Via Moana is located on Bogatell beach, a beautiful, yet less crowded beach than Barceloneta. The bar has a Polynesian aesthetic and an open-air building incredibly close to the water, and it’s a beautiful place to sunbathe. Its menu is also incredibly diverse, with a good look at many of Barcelona’s most famous drinks and a great variety of both Mediterranean and international tapas. For the perfect beach bar experience in a calmer and relaxing area, this is the place.

3. Somos de Playa

Higher up from the beach than many other chiringuitos, Somos de Playa has a relaxing view over Nova Mar Bella beach, one of the quieter city beaches. The bar is very accessible from the nearby road and many nearby hotels, so it’s one of the closest for many tourists. It is also right next to Diagonal Mar, the most visited shopping centre in Barcelona. Somos de Playa has two beach bars, with Asian and African inspiration in their dishes. Another bar with a wide variety of drinks and quick access to other great attractions in Barcelona, Somos de Playa combines many of the best aspects of a beach trip in one.

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4. Xiringuito Escribà

Xiringuito Escribà is more closed off from the wind and sun than most other beach bars, and it combines the ordinary beach bar vibe with a more complete dining experience. Escribà has a much larger food menu than almost any other beach bar. The bar’s specialty is rice dishes like paella alongside fresh seafood. It’s also one of the few beach bars to stay open during many different seasons, with a changing menu for each season. While Barcelona’s beach bars are expensive, Xiringuito Escribá provides a delicious dining experience at a cheaper price than a lot of the competition.

5. Chiringuito Las Sardinitas

Located on Nova Icària beach, Chiringuito Las Sardinitas is right in the middle of one of the busiest places in Barcelona. The bar is right in between Barceloneta beach and Bogatell beach, with quick access to nearby clubs, shops, and public transport. Sitting just above the sand, this guingueta has a great view of the beach and the surrounding city. The menu focuses on fresh seafood dishes, paellas, and tapas. It has a great combination of Spain’s most famous cuisine with the drink menu of a traditional beach bar. For something a bit in between La Deliciosa and Somos De Playa, this is the perfect bet.