Julio Redacción

An alternative model is gaining ground in culture, the new bookshops of Barcelona. Their secret: proximity and the knowledge to value the reading.

Are you one of those who only buy books or who enjoy from the beginning to the end?

Despite the crisis that has led to close a Catalan bookshop every two days, the industry reinvents itself with new formats. Places where the Best Sellers are welcome, but they offer minority genres and authors as well.

They all have in common the direct contact and treatment with the costumer, the specialization and the organization of parallel activities that enrich a healthy habit: to read.

Small establishments that have emerged as cultural energizers, and that in some cases that space has outgrown them.

Away from the historical centre of Barcelona, the success of their proposal is in not looking to sell books but to create a community of readers.

A model that defies the present circumstances and does not fight against the hypermarkets, but worth remembering when approaching Sant Jordi (Saint George).

4 bookshops in Barcelona that impulse the culture

Nollegiu (C/ Pons i Subirà, 3, Barcelona)

The small bookshop on Amistat Poble Nou street has become bigger, and recently occupies the site of the old boutique “Juanita”. A move in which many of the neighbors participated to help this active library and cultural agitator where something is always happening. The experience of meeting its new location, spread over three floors, makes us look and look again for every book in there, and totally worth it.

Calders (Passatge Pere Calders, 9, Barcelona)

Defining itself as a “specialist in books and having the name of one of the best writers of the neighbourhood of Sant Antoni”, Calders was doomed to success. With a large space that celebrates now its two years, Calders meets a library, a cafe and a piano event acts. Just like that!

+ Bernat (C/Buenos Aires, 6, Barcelona)

Born from the initiative of different partners, the +Bernat bookshop has become the revitalizing and the cultural store of the old Esquerra of the Example area. In addition to buying books, +Bernat allows us to participate in a long list of activities and enjoy the ‘analogue’ (or digital) reading in the cafeteria.

Casa Usher (C/ Santaló, 79, Barcelona)

The impulse of two booksellers brought to Sant Gervasi this bookshop that selects with care the gems of the small publishers. Casa Usher Llibreters also organizes events related or not with literature, such as a wine tasting. This area, the oenology, gives importance to spaces like the backyard or to the value fact that the bookshop occupies an old winery.

3 cooperative and associative bookshops

Pebre Negre (C/ Clot, 41, Barcelona)

Created by three partners, this cooperative bookshop in the Clot area is specialized in gastronomy with a carefully selected offer that includes authentic bibliographic gems. At the same time, they organize tastings of literary inspiration, various activities and even children’s reading workshops.

La Caníbal (C/ Nàpols, 314, Barcelona)

Emphasizing the recognition and the reflection, La Caníbal is a reference in critical essay of philosophical issues from various literary genres. Created as a cooperative and, infected by the ‘gracienc’ character, the bookshop does not comfort itself with just being one more bookshop of Barcelona. Books which are hard to find and the bookseller own wisdom make this bookshop a trusted place for the reader.

Espai Contrabandos (C/ Junta de Comerç, 20, Barcelona)

Contrabandos is a set space which merged from the union of 17 independent publishers. Inside, each publisher has its own corner, but external publishers are also welcome.

In addition to selling, Constrabandos programes various activities from presentations to literary itineraries. Everything that is needed to orient the reader, without leaving apart a place to rest and to enjoy the reading.

3 specialized bookshops in Barcelona

La Memòria (Pl Vila de Gràcia, 19, Barcelona)

Created by historians, in the bookshop La Memòria essays, biographies and historical novels are a must. Its shelves are full of excellent works and some lulls, of interesting activities.

La Impossible (C/ Provenca, 232, Barcelona)

With almost three years of history, La Impossible has become the reference bookshop in Catalan books of Barcelona. Its background is the result of a careful selection and never miss the latest publications. Despite their expertise, they also have books in other languages, as well as a schedule full of activities.

Ona Llibres (C/ Gran de Gracia, 217, Barcelona)

Among the most established bookshops we could not miss Ona, which reopened in Gracia after closing in Gran Via. Ona Llibres, specialized in books in Catalan, continuing a committed career that began in 1962. It’s a long way since then!

1 and thousands of fantasy genre bookshops

Gigamesh (C/ Bailèn, 8, Barcelona)

With over 20 years of history, Gigamesh came to have three establishments in the known as “the freak triangle of Barcelona”. All of them, eventually merge into the larger space of fantasy literature in Europe. Its 500 m² distributed in 6 km of shelves offer books, merchandising, games and items for collectors.

Along with Gigamesh, Norma Comics (Pg. Sant Joan, 9, Barcelona) was the store which gave rise to the current establishments. A reference in comics and manga, to which we could add others.

Come to Barcelona and enjoy reading in all forms!

Bars and restaurants in Barcelona are leaving the «undergrounds» behind in order to widen the live music’s offer beyond big concert halls.

Which scenarios in Barcelona will be offering live music in 2016?

Barcelona’s Town Hall finally buries the debate on banning live amplified music. From April onwards, small and medium size venues will be able to schedule functions withing the law. More than 30 establishments such as bars, cafeterias and restaurants, will improve their offer with scheduled live performances in accordance with time and noise restrictions. Therefore, an outing is offered to local, who have been strengthening «the social and cultural value of live music». Locals were forced to either abandon live music or carry it out outside the legal framework such as in the «Sala Heliogàbal» or in «23 Robadors».

With said live music change, Barcelona Culture Institute achieved increasing the subsidies aimed to acoustic insulation in order to get a balance between neighbor’s rest and a new music offer. In some weeks, the vibrating music scene will be getting ready to enjoy live music again with some old and new venues. Barcelona has a license for live music!

Live music venues

This new framework reminds us the best scenarios in Barcelona. Lets check out some of them!

Music in «Gracia»

«Vila de Gracia» has two of the best and most original scenarios: Heliogabal (C/Ramón y Cajal, 80). This concert hall was founded in 1995 and it is a cultural magnet for an entire neighborhood and a platform for many artists.

El Col·leccionista (Torrent de les Flors, 46). A venue full of warmth and good music, especially for the nostalgic ones.

Music in the » l’Eixample»

The Philharmonic (Mallorca, 204): This pub’s exceptional acoustic offer any kind of live music in a very «accomplished place». Nou Racó 169 (Casanova, 169): Because of its reduced capacity, concerts turn into intimate session ideal for small bands. Milano Cocktail Bar (Ronda Universitat, 35): Offering 40’s live music, Milano is one of the most charming cocktail bars in Barcelona.

Michael Collins (Pl. Sagrada Família, 4): This bar is very well-known and ideally located. Its live music is full of good rock.

Music in the «Raval»

London Bar (Nou de la Rambla, 34): This bar, dating from 1910, was visited by artists such as Picasso, Dalí, and Hemingway, and it is nowadays part of the music scene in Barcelona. JazzSí Club ( Requesens, 2): This small venue has been pioneering in flamenco and jazz spreading, although one can also enjoy many kinds of «jam sessions». 23 Robadors (Robador, 23): Its art doesn’t know any music barrier and it includes jazz and flamenco concerts in a very welcoming environment. Big Bang (Botella, 7): This venue offers a local music schedule with guitars that sound like rock and roll. These guitars seduce those people who are willing to go beyond the crossbar.

Music in the «Gótic»

As regards live music, «Plaza Real» has it own identity. Right in front of the square, one can find the historical flamenco bar Tarantos (Pl. Reial, 17), as well as Jamboree (Pl. Reial 17) with its black music with excellent acoustic and Sidecar (Pl. Reial, 7) with the best indie and rock guitars. La Rumbeta (Passatge Escudellers, 7): The rhythm of Barcelona’s «rumba» is scheduled every day and it can still be listened to in places like this one. Harlem Jazz Club (Comtessa de Sobradiel, 8): Jazz, soul, blues and funk among others, have a permanent scenario in Harlem, with daily performances dating from 1987.

Música in the «Born» and «Vila Olímpica»

Sala Monasterio (Moll de Mestral, 30): Soft light and a partner-in-crime-audience are the keys of Sala Monasterio, as well as growing music bands and young singer-songwriters. This venues if full of rock, jazz, funky, reggae or blues. Little Italy (Rec, 39): This restaurant is committed to jazz and bossanova and it has turned into a real music temple.

Music regulations in Barcelona

The music scene in Barcelona is looking better after years of discussions. The new category «Live music space» will boost small and medium venues to comply with security and acoustic insulation regulations. This new framework still makes us wonder: Who will be able to offer live music? The answer would be: all the concert halls, bars and dance bars which were already doing it. Moreover, all those city venues with coffee, bar or restaurant license will be able to offer live music as well. Which are the requirements? Establishments will have to respect the mentioned security and insulation regulations. seguridad y de aislamiento. There will be a system that will limit the acoustic levels of any room next to the venue up to 30 dB. Those limits will run from 7 to 23 and from las 23 h to 7 there will be a limit of 25 dB. If there is an office instead of house, the limits will be of 45 y 40 dB, respectively.

When will these changes happen? Will venues receive any help?

The new regulations will be effective at the end of March. Barcelona’s Town Hall will start a funding live for 400.000 euros intended to adapt the venues that want to offer live music. The financial support will not exceed 50% of the work’s total cost. Will all venues be able to program live music? For now, live music is allowed in venues with a bar, coffee and restaurant license, but forbidden in cultural associations, libraries and art galeries, among others.

Sant Gervasi had its origin in an old town north to Barcelona. Nowadays, that area is also part of the city and it has become the most exclusive area of Barcelona. It has four different neighbourhood recognisable one from the other thanks to some features. Walking on its streets we will recognise four different neighbourhoods: Galvany, La Bonanova, El Putxet i el Farró and Les Tres Torres.

Sant Gervasi’s origin belongs to the old town of Sant Gervasi de Cassoles in the neighbourhood of Can Lledó.

Some of the magnificent vacational houses of rich families from Barcelona in the 19th Century still preserves its splendour; an example of them are: Villa Mayfair, Casa Gil (or Villa Lotus), Marquès d’Alella Palace (or Casa Muñoz Ramonet) and Torre d’en Lledó.

Splendid architecture located foothills of Collserola mountain, which is a very important green area of the city but also a frontier.

Sant Gervasi de Cassoles finally become part of Barcelona in 1897.

Multi-storey buildings took over the houses and private gardens, its urbanism decided wide streets and renowned architects such as J.Lluís Sert, J.Mestres i Fossas and Francesc Mitjans that differentiate it from other districts of Barcelona.

Sant Gervasi is a prestigious district from there you can go down to meet the city, allowing to reach every corner in a pleasant walk. It is an alluring place and still off the beaten path that most tourists never encounter. From Tibidabo Avenue you can get to Collserola or to the town centre within minutes.

‘Eixample de Sarrià‘ is a neighbourhood of contrast between old and new in a very exclusive way, modernist buildings and a peculiar mix of old and new shops. Residential area is surrounded by prestigious schools and renowned clinics.

During last years of recession several architectural and artistic projects have left undone, but they are now starting to see the light. 2016 will be an important year for redesigning and construction of buildings in Barcelona. Some institutions are being updated therefore they have also to change its facade. Two examples are: Gran Teatre del Liceu and FC Barcelona. Also the Hermitage Barcelona and the future Woody Allen’s museum are looking for a spot in the old quarters of the town.

Sala Beckett, one of the greatest theatres of Barcelona is moving to Poblenou.

This year 2016 is full of new architectural projects in Barcelona.

Surrounded by a unique environment, Costa Daurada is one of the greatest spots in the Mediterranean coast. It has high quality of its beaches and also great cultural diversity. There is an amusement park, one of the largest in Europe, called Port Aventura. The Catalan coast has a wide variety of places ideal for family fun at just 92 km from Barcelona. Its beaches of fine golden sand attract millions of visitors across its 216 km length. Catalan coast is a beautiful destination with about twenty towns within Cunit and Alcanar in the Province of Tarragona.

The capital town is Salou; archetypical place to be for all those who love the sea and also enjoy culture and fun. It is very close to the amusement park: Port Aventura. It has recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and it is now in construction of a big new area called Ferrari Land. It is a big project that will bring plenty of new visitors. Salou is also a great destination for those who enjoy seafood cuisine, beach or modernist architecture; all of this in less than an hour from Barcelona. In the Costa Dorada!

February is time for Santa Eulalia celebrations in Barcelona together with the Festival of light. That is a perfect match to celebrate Barcelona winter festivals.

The city farewells Carnival but keeps having fun with February celebrations starting on Wednesday 10th of February when Barcelona winter festival begins. A celebration that combines culture and tradition during the day and the Festival of Light during the night.

Once again, Santa Eulalia celebrations, in honour of the Co-Patroness of Barcelona, and the Festival of Light coincide in Barcelona. This time dates are: from 11th February until 14th February. There will be all ages activities.

The celebration will begin the night of Thursday 11th with a terrific musical performance; a set of lit pendulums and lasers instead of traditional video mapping.

Three entire days of traditional events such as parades of «giants and big-heads», demons and dragons, «sardanes« (traditional Catalan dance), «castellers» (human towers) and three nights when light will magically reach representative buildings. During all weekend the doors of museums and historic buildings are open.

The most visible part of the modern waterfront of Barcelona belongs to Sant Martí.

La parte más visible del moderno frente marítimo de Barcelona forma parte de Sant Matí. The district demonstrates the urban transformation that Barcelona has had within the last few decades.

Sant Martí allows you to enjoy of a great variety of landscapes where green urban areas, coast atmosphere and modern architecture gather up in a 3 km waterfront.

The district has several neighbourhoods; three of them are part of the beachfront of Barcelona: Vila Olímpica, Poblenou and Diagonal Mar. In total: 2.675 metres of beach and marinas.

Poblenou is one of these neighborhoods and it has over 150 years of history, but nowadays, an urban renaissance is taking over as post-industrial zone. The other two neighbourhoods are the offspring of two milestones in Barcelona.

Vila Olímpica was built on top of the old Icaria neighbourhood because of Barcelona Olimpic Games in 1992 . Diagonal Mar was rebuilt by reason of the event: Universal Forum of Cultures in 2004.

Green areas, leisure facilities, modern beaches and icons of architecture are the landscapes of these three fabulous neighbourhoods of Barcelona plus a fantastic waterfront that makes the city one of the nicest places in the Mediterranian coast.

Barcelona will launch the new Diagonal Besos Campus in September 2016; a set of buildings in Forum area.

Barcelona begins to see how the new scientific hub is going to look like with this new Diagonal Besos Campus; a complex between Diagonal Mar and Sant Andria Besòs, next to the Forum area.

In September 2016, up to 3,500 students and 400 teachers will start a new course in modern facilities. The community of the university and several research teams will be part of a major scientific hub.

This new 150,000 m2 complex will bring a new audience such as European Energy Agency, but also it will free a historical space placed in the middle of Eixample to enrich medical research in Barcelona.

This is a great scientific project in the city: the new Besos Campus!