Post: #1

For my next big trip, I'm thinking of heading back to a place that I've previously been to that I've always wished I could move back to and live like a common person. Two cities jump out at me right now, Barcelona and Paris. I loved the vibe of both cities in the relatively short amounts of time I've spent there and am considering Summer of '13 in one of them. Right now I'm leaning more towards Barca, but I could be convinced otherwise. I've thought about spending a month in each place, but I'm favoring spending 45 days in one spot.

I've done some searches on Barcelona in the forum and for such a party capital, it's rather bereft of current information. I haven't been to Barcelona in over 5 years now, so my info is a bit outdated, and I wasn't there long enough to establish the tightest spot for the beach in the day and partying at night.

From what I remember, Las Ramblas is the spot to set up shop in, but I'm not sure if it's just the touristy spot of town and that there's a more hip, more central location I should live in elsewhere. Airbnb has some perfect apartments with a balcony 30 seconds off La Rambla. I could imagine just walking around day/night offering girls to come drink wine with me on my balcony. However, I'm not really sure if this is the best option.

Any good RECENT info on location, style, game to spit, places to eat/drink/club. I'm really looking for anything that can help me get a head start on Barca this summer.

Post: #2

I stayed in the Bari Gothic area last summer in an apartment, I really liked it....a bit gritty but nice and central for my purposes...I enjoyed the bohemian and free vibe there. i'd heavily consider the Born area as well as its right by the beach and more eclectic and close to Las Ramblas as well. There were a lot of little bars and wine bars in the Gothic area, I didn't do a lot of nightlife in the Born but there are a lot of daytime places, shops, cafes, museums that are of interest. I was not really a fan of Las Ramblas as it was often too crowded and tourists, although I did shop for groceries at the Boqeria market and at the big El Corte Ingles at the end of the Ramblas.

I did go to El Raval alot for bars, but I'm not sure how the living is there, maybe someone else can chime in.

Post: #3

Barcelona is over-rated IMO. I was recently over there in April and stayed for a couple of weeks. Too many crooks, and tourists. All the universities are full of Westerners. Head to Portugal (esp Porto) for a more authentic experience. People are much nicer, and the locals don't treat you like scum.

Post: #4

Go to Las Ramblas if you wanna get pickpocketted.

I'd consider Barceloneta if you like clubs (quite touristy there) and Diagonal mar if you're looking to chill during the day. That's the newer part of the city and there are some really amazing places to rent around there

Post: #5

(10-24-2012 05:16 AM)trainwreck Wrote:  Go to Las Ramblas if you wanna get pickpocketted.

I'd consider Barceloneta if you like clubs (quite touristy there) and Diagonal mar if you're looking to chill during the day. That's the newer part of the city and there are some really amazing places to rent around there

Barcelona is really not all that dangerous. The thieves aren't looking to target young men. Why should they? They generally don't have a lot of money and could give a good beating back, if something happened.

If you travel in groups, don't flash anything too fancy, wear a money belt and generally act normal you will be fine in any major city in Europe.

And even if you do break some of these rules you will be fine. I walked the streets of Barcelona alone, with a map in one hand and my Iphone in another and sometimes Drunk and yet still no problems. (Though I am 6 1" 205 pounds)

Post: #6

if you're walking around Ramblas at night be really aware of groups of hooker/gyspys who try to grab you and ask if you want to have some fun..they are really pickpocketing you they work in small groups and agressively grope you. stick both hands in your pockets and just walk fast and elbow them if you need to otherwise they'll clean your pockets. that happened to me (they didn't manage to get anything), you have to be really agressive with them to make sure they don't take anything they work fast.

Post: #7

Thanks for the info so far. Keep it coming!

I'm not necessarily nervous about being in Las Ramblas late at night. I'm from NYC, I've survived in 3rd world shitholes, and I give off a pretty good 'don't fuck with me' vibe later at night. I've sewn in hidden pockets into a few pairs of jeans, so if it came to that, I'll store valuables in them. If I can deal with gypsies in Bucharest, and at Termini in Rome, then I think I'll be able to handle the Barca version.

IIRC, Barceloneta was kind of a lower class area? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Essentially, I'm looking for a neighborhood with near perfect logistics, classy places to live, and lots of foot traffic, preferably near the beach. Location > budget for me.

Proph, I've thought for a few years of hitting Portugal up. How is it gaming women? My Portuguese is non-existant. Can English get me laid? Also, I have no problem living in a touristy area. I'm an equal opportunity lover, I'd have no problem getting some bangs out of tourists. In fact, I'd think it would be easier than getting the Catalan juice.

Post: #8

Barcelona is a fantastic city to visit and see, party and meet people from all over Europe, but I wouldn't say it's the easiest of places to get a notch. I feel the French women we're more responsive to me than the Spanish. If you're looking for night spots I recommend Opium Mars and then head to the beach, you'll come across many people, looking to party, keep in mind most are already in there social circles.

Post: #9

(10-23-2012 10:02 PM)MaleDefined Wrote:  From what I remember, Las Ramblas is the spot to set up shop in,

I have said it on here a million times, Las Ramblas is the absolute worst place in Barcelona.

I am 100% convinced that everyone who hates Barcelona spent the majority of there time here. And swooped an American Backpacker girl at best.

Quote:Any good RECENT info on location, style, game to spit, places to eat/drink/club. I'm really looking for anything that can help me get a head start on Barca this summer.

Great question.

I have written tons on Barcelona.

Best Data Sheet on the subject on the entire Internet: Barcelona Nightclub Data Sheets

Check the date though.

Post: #10

One thing, I was talking with people out there and they were saying most of the bigger and better clubs are outside of the normal city areas. anyone have info on this? I read this in one of the guides and didn't know the logistics so I stayed in Barcelona city center area itself.

One of the people we met out there recommended going with them out to Badalona to party?

Post: #11

(11-01-2012 02:13 PM)PartyonBro Wrote:  One thing, I was talking with people out there and they were saying most of the bigger and better clubs are outside of the normal city areas. anyone have info on this? I read this in one of the guides and didn't know the logistics so I stayed in Barcelona city center area itself.

One of the people we met out there recommended going with them out to Badalona to party?

Never been to Badalona to my knowledge. Passed thru, but never to party.

Maybe people are talking about Sitges?

Post: #12

nah, it was badalona, said there were a bunch of clubs out there or something like that. couldn't understand him that well...it wasn't Sitges.

i swore i heard about some area out of the city limits where they set up the mega clubs as well.

Post: #13

Barcelona is a beautiful place to visit, but I wouln't go there just for the women. I didn't see alot of hotties and too many tourists. However, the people are educated and industrious. The city is full of modernismo architecture and buildings you won't see anywhere else. You can sit outside a tapa bar and people watch. Also, if you are Spanish speaking, keep in mind that the official language is Catalan. I don't go to bars, but managed to mix at an all night street party in the neighborhood I was staying at. (see below).

   

Post: #14

(11-01-2012 11:36 PM)Sherman Wrote:  Barcelona is a beautiful place to visit, but I wouln't go there just for the women. I didn't see alot of hotties and too many tourists. However, the people are educated and industrious. The city is full of modernismo architecture and buildings you won't see anywhere else. You can sit outside a tapa bar and people watch. Also, if you are Spanish speaking, keep in mind that the official language is Catalan. I don't go to bars, but managed to mix at an all night street party in the neighborhood I was staying at. (see below).

Where did you stay when you were there?

Post: #15

(11-02-2012 08:58 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(11-01-2012 11:36 PM)Sherman Wrote:  Barcelona is a beautiful place to visit, but I wouln't go there just for the women. I didn't see alot of hotties and too many tourists. However, the people are educated and industrious. The city is full of modernismo architecture and buildings you won't see anywhere else. You can sit outside a tapa bar and people watch. Also, if you are Spanish speaking, keep in mind that the official language is Catalan. I don't go to bars, but managed to mix at an all night street party in the neighborhood I was staying at. (see below).

Where did you stay when you were there?

It was several years ago, I don't remember. It was in the vicinity of Placa d'espanya and about a 10 minute walk from the RooshV monument.


   

Post: #16

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Post: #17

(11-02-2012 08:58 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(11-01-2012 11:36 PM)Sherman Wrote:  Barcelona is a beautiful place to visit, but I wouln't go there just for the women. I didn't see alot of hotties and too many tourists. However, the people are educated and industrious. The city is full of modernismo architecture and buildings you won't see anywhere else. You can sit outside a tapa bar and people watch. Also, if you are Spanish speaking, keep in mind that the official language is Catalan. I don't go to bars, but managed to mix at an all night street party in the neighborhood I was staying at. (see below).

Where did you stay when you were there?

I remember becoming friends with a local hostel/hotel building owner in Barcelona. He mentioned that during summer all locals leave for vacation and Barcelona is completely TOURISTY.. Madrid, less so.

Are there exceptions to this in certain areas in Barca?

Post: #18

G,
Is this really the best data sheet on Barcelona on the entire internet? According to whom? Didn't know that a handful of sentences with a few names thrown in randomly constituted a data sheet, let alone the best data sheet on the subject on entire internet.

If you want to contribute by providing valuable input, awesome, but at least do not insult people's intelligence by passing mediocre information for what is very hard to find on the internet....get real man!

Did you go to these places yourself? Or did you just googled Barcelona night life and took the first few names that came up and included them on that uber short article? Or worst you just took someone else's information as you did on the Toronto thread and tried to pass it as your own? Seems like times are tough, even for G himself...we all feel your pain man, it's all Obama's fault...lol

(11-01-2012 02:07 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  [quote='MaleDefined' pid='293207' dateline='1351047729']

Quote:Any good RECENT info on location, style, game to spit, places to eat/drink/club. I'm really looking for anything that can help me get a head start on Barca this summer.

Great question.

I have written tons on Barcelona.

Best Data Sheet on the subject on the entire Internet: Barcelona Nightclub Data Sheets

Check the date though.

Post: #19

I just moved in here for a couple of months. Currently trying to build up some social circles, that is make friends: going to some local meetups; erasmus events, etc. Goes pretty well so far. But would be much easier to disband groups in the clubs if I wouldn't be flying solo all the time So let me know, if somebody is hanging out here right now as well.