Our Experience at Two of the Best Cocktail Bars in the World
Barcelona knows how to drink. It's not a loud, slamming-shots kind of city. It's slow sips, sharp pours, and long nights that start late. Vermouth at lunch. Cava before dinner. A negroni under the orange glow of a streetlamp. There’s a bar on every corner and a story in every glass. But cocktail bars? The ones that chase awards? Barcelona’s got those too.
Every year, The World’s 50 Best Bars puts out its list. It’s like the Michelin Guide for drinks. Voted on by bartenders, writers, and industry people. Not just about booze, but about craft, service, and experience. In 2024, two Barcelona bars made the global top ten. That’s serious.
Paradiso came in at #10. It’s secret, theatrical, and surreal.
Sips landed at #3. It’s sleek, playful, and precise.
We went to both. Back-to-back. Two of the best bars in the world. Same city. Same night.
Paradiso
Paradiso is not a bar you just walk into. First, you need to find it. And even then, you need to know what to do. It’s hidden behind a pastrami shop in the El Born neighbourhood. You say you have a reservation and you step into something you didn’t expect. Inside, it’s not dark or moody. It’s glowing. The ceiling curves like you’re on the inside of a whale. Warm wood panels. Soft lights. The walls ripple. It feels more like a design museum than a cocktail bar. But you can hear the music. And the shaking.
This bar landed at #10 in the world. It used to be #1. And it didn’t fall off…it just made room for the new kids. Paradiso is still one of the most creative bars on Earth. The menu changes every year. This time, it’s called "The Mysteries of the Universe." Every drink is based on science, space, or the stuff we don’t understand. You don’t order a drink at Paradiso. You sign up for a show. Bartenders walk around the floor with carts, pouring cocktails right next to your table. There’s fog, fire, shells, terrariums, and glowing liquids. Sometimes, you’re not even sure if what they hand you is a drink or a science project.
We got the Mediterranean Treasure. It came in a seashell, served in a wooden treasure chest. Smelled like saltwater. Tasted like the ocean. Vodka, fino sherry, oyster leaves, herbs, and smoke. You don’t just drink it. You remember it. Another drink, the Tiki Monkey, is sweet, strong, and weird in the best way. Rum, peanut butter, roasted banana, sesame. It tastes like a tropical dessert that’s been on a bender. Every drink takes time. That’s part of it. You’re not here to get drunk. You’re here to get surprised. (We got both, actually).
There’s even a secret bar inside the bar. We won’t say more. Just know it exists. And yes, you want to find it. The staff is tight. Calm. Focused. They move like stagehands in a Broadway show. Every table gets attention. Every drink gets its moment.
Paradiso isn’t your new local. It’s not where you go for one quick drink before the club. It’s an experience. A flex. A reason to sit still and let someone blow your mind, one cocktail at a time.
SipS
Sips stands right there on Carrer de Muntaner. Bright lights. Big windows. You see the drinks being made before you even open the door.
This bar landed at #3 in the world. It was #1 just last year. And it still feels like it could be. Maybe should be.
Inside, there’s no bar in the traditional sense. Just a wide group of islands. Guests sit all around it. No barriers. No dividers. The bartenders are in the middle, like chefs at a tasting counter. They shake, stir, and plate drinks like it’s second nature. The vibe is sharp but relaxed. You’re not getting neon colours or crazy smoke here. Sips is all about design and flavour. Every drink looks like it belongs in a museum. But none of it is for show. It’s all about what’s in the glass.
Their famous drink, Primordial, is served in a pair of metal hands. You hold it like it’s something sacred. Inside is whisky, port, and pear. It’s rich and cold and heavy. Another, called Krypta, hits your nose before your tongue. The glass is shaped to make the scent hit first. It’s citrusy and earthy.
Sips was started by two heavy hitters. Marc Álvarez ran the drink program for some of Spain’s top restaurants. Simone Caporale helped turn Artesian in London into the world’s best bar four years in a row. These guys know what they’re doing. But what makes Sips different is how easy it all feels. The space is open. The staff is having fun, but they’re locked in. It’s not stiff. It’s not overthought. Even the snacks are good. You can get charcuterie and light bites while you drink. You’re not here to eat a meal anyway. There’s also a second bar in the back called Esencia. Smaller. Quieter. It’s a tasting menu for cocktails. A few seats and a lot of trust. They serve you drinks like they’re serving stories.
If Paradiso is theatre, Sips is design. If Paradiso is a magic trick, Sips is a conversation. Both are brilliant.
Places like Sips and Paradiso aren’t just bars. They’re closer to fine dining with booze. Think tasting menus, showtime service, and drinks that look and taste like art. It’s not about getting drunk. It’s about the craft. The detail. The weird stuff you remember a week later. The stories you tell in future recommendations.
Still, our favourite bars in Barcelona aren’t always on a list. They’re the ones tucked in alleys. The ones pouring vermouth at noon, like Bar La Camila, or cava with tapas at night, like at Can Paixano. No lights and no reservations. But both of these spots—Sips and Paradiso—are one of a kind. And we were lucky to visit them both.
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