Barcelona: For the love of vintage

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Today’s guest post is provided by one of our Spanish readers.

Vintage is big business. Many fashionistas and trendsetters the world over have a distinct passion for vintage clothes and the trend has spread across interiors, beauty, cookery and even into television and film with hits like Mad Men. Vintage is big business in the UK and US, however these aren’t the only nations to have adopted the vintage trend. Berlin,Germany has a thriving second-hand store culture and now the Spanish capital, Barcelona is catching on.

Drink in vintage style at Boadas

Located just off Las Ramblas but with an unassuming exterior, many people probably walk straight past this cocktail joint, oblivious to its existence. Miguel Boadas, who previously worked in Ernst Hemingway’s favourite hangout the Floridita Bar in Cuba, opened this bar in 1933. When entering the tiny room with its art deco interior, you are transported back to the 1930s, a time of decadence and frivolity. As the oldest cocktail bar in Barcelona it maintains its original charm continuing to cater for the locals, the bartenders wear tuxedos and prefer to speak their native language of Spanish. There’s also no sign of a cocktail menu. It’s far too cool for that. Novices can ask for the cocktail of the day written on the display board. Boadas is now run by Miguel’s family and his daughter can often be found serving behind the bar. To keep the theme going, choose to stay at one of the many art deco-style Barcelona hotels in this area.

C/ Tallers 1, 08001 Barcelona

Shop for vintage style at Holala Plaza

If you’ve ever wondered where Barcelona’s artistic crowd go to shop, you’ll probably find them here. Holala Plaza is an attractive combination of art gallery/vintage store. You can come here for inspiration or to pick up a variety of one-off homeware items, clothes or accessories at affordable prices. Located in the heart of el Raval behind the MACBA, this store is packed with vintage gems imported from the USA, Japan and the EU. A good few hours can be spent rummaging through the rails. It’s also become a bit of an artistic meeting place due to its changing exhibitions, activities and future plans for a cafe.

C/ Valldonzella 4, 08001 Barcelona
L1 & L3 at Pl. Catalunya & L1 & L2 at Universitat
www.holala-ibiza.com

Sleep in vintage style at Granados 83

With many Barcelona hotels adopting the simplicity of modern design interiors it is refreshing to find a hotel with a different take on luxury. This former hospital (from the last century) has been converted into a luxury art-deco style hotel. It’s the rusted iron structure and light, towering inside space which reminds guests of those sought after New York lofts. There are 77 guestrooms decorated with wood, leather and glass while some include split-level loft spaces. Granados 83 is in the middle of Barcelona, just a short walk from both Passeig de Gràcia and Avinguda Diagonal. If you’d rather not stay in the centre then there are some lovely Costa Brava hotels located on the outskirts of the city.

Carrer Enric Granados, 83
08008 Barcelona

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