Description: Barcelona's London Bar is another of those local institutions the guide book says you must visit as it is steeped in heritage and cultural relevance. The bar is famed for being the local watering hole for the likes of Dali, Picasso and Hemingway (which bars weren't!) amongst others from it's opening in 1910. It is this that seems to draw the crowds rather than it's current state. As so often is sadly the case, it seems to be living off that past and resting on it's laurels - as such it did little to enthrall and excite.
The London Bar is centrally located a stones throw from las Ramblas, Barcelona's bustling equivalent to London's Covent Garden or New Orlean's' Bourbon Street. Famed for it's street performers and stalls, Las Ramblas has become one of the cities many tourist traps and it would seem that the London Bar has followed suit.
Situated on a narrow and unappeling side-street the exterior to the bar is humble and unassuming. Upon entering you find a long and thin bar in rather shabby condition. Shabby chic this sadly isn't, rather shabby and unkempt. It feels as though the wallpaper, fixtures and fittings all date back to it's 1910 opening which in itself has it's charm but sadly the owners have rather than kept original features enhanced with modern conveniences, decided to keep everything in it's original condition. Sadly this includes the lavatory which was filthy and barely operable owing to the incredibly small vestibule and distinct lack of maintenance.
The furnishings have the feeling of a London pub with their dark wood stools and tables. The European flair is evident though in the iconic art nouveau London bar sign that is probably the main redeeming feature about this place that sets it apart from anywhere else. Although once seen there is little else to offer. I read that the bar had live music every night but sadly every night didn't seem to include the night we visited but the quality is supposedly good.
The bar itself is equip with a decent range of beverages at thankfully not overly inflated prices. I think beer was in the 3 Euro region as was wine. As far as I could tell the place operated in a traditional English pub fashion with service strictly at the bar rather than at your seat. Service was relatively efficient which is a rarity in Spain. It was conducted in both English and Spanish as seems common in Barcelona and was polite if not necessarily friendly.
In conclusion, I don't think I was disappointed by the bar because I knew I would be. As one of the things to tick off from the guidebook there is nothing offensive about the place if you're looking for a drink and on Las Ramblas but beyond that, I wouldn't go seeking it out.
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