Situated on a relatively quiet street between the lively heart of Poble Sec and the busy, wide avenue of Parallel this small bodega serves exquisitely prepared plates of tapas.

It’s a busy, bustling little place and you won’t find a seat or a table - it’s shoulder to shoulder standing-room only at Quimet i Quimet - and there’s often a small crowd on the street outside.

The bodega serves its own label Belgian bottled beers and its own labelled cava. The walls of this tiny spot are lined from ceiling to floor with bottles of beers, wines and spirits from around the world - with exotic, rarely seen, bottles of advocaat, coñacs, vodkas and whisky, and its wines are second to none.

But it’s the food that makes this bodega very special - simple, but delicious foods such as cheeses, cold meats, canned seafood and vegetable patés served on bread or with bread sticks and transparent fruit flavoured jelly conserves, all lovingly arranged on the plate like an artwork.

It’s not a place for a meal - just a bite or two before dinner. It’s a good spot to meet up with friends before going on to a gig.

Details about this spot
Quimet i Quimet | Snacks | Tapas from € 0.95
C/Poeta Cabanyes 25 | Poble Sec (area map) | +34934423142
Mon - Fri 12:00 - 16:00 & 19:00 - 22:30, Sat 12:00 - 16:00 | Closed August

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Even in my previous lives I don’t think I’ve ever found myself in the waiting-room of a 1950s upmarket Spanish bordello, but if I had I imagine it would look and feel a bit like Rouge (think Almodovar).

Situated in Poble Sec just a couple of streets off Parallel and a few doors up from Quimet i Quimet (see this article) Rouge is a quirky lounge bar decorated with gilt-framed copies of Mannerist and early Impressionist paintings.

With its eclectic collection of comfy sofas, deep armchairs, bum-numbing stools, deep red walls and low lighting I love its louche atmosphere.

It’s a good spot for a drink or two after a gig at the nearby Apollo and before going dancing. Rouge does serve food - sandwiches, burgers, pastas - but I couldn’t recommend it as I’ve never tried it and I can’t recall ever seeing anyone eating. They serve a range of cocktails.

Rouge attracts an interesting crowd of people. When locating it for the first time keep your eyes open as the bar is accessed from the street by a simple, ordinary door - and you may have to press the doorbell to get in.

Friendly staff, a good, lively atmosphere and an interesting arrray of people make this a spot to remember and re-visit time and again. It’s so good I’ll probably still be visiting it in future lives.

Details about this spot
Rouge | Bars | Bottled beer € 4.00
C/Poeta Cabanyes 21 | Poble Sec (area map) | +34934424985
Tue - Sat 23:00 - 04:00

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