So I went out to Barcelona this weekend to see my friend Brendan… we had a great time after going to Park Güell, La Padrera and La Sagrada Familia (all projects by Antoni Gaudi). The club scene was really fun and different, and here’s his list of where to commit to occupy your nightlife while you’re here:
b.lane (Barcelona Correspondent):
The Barcelona Scene
I go to school in New Hampshire, I’m from Connecticut.. and I’ve never been to Europe. Lets face it, I didn’t know a lick about clubbing before I came here a month ago. Clubs are all different here, and each person obviously has his or her own taste. I personally (and I hope whoever is reading this agrees with me) despise clubs that play shitty 80’s music and over-played one hit wonders, but Europeans love that shit. Lets just say that I don’t need a terrible group like Journey to complement my terrible dancing. Studies have shown that both the most danceable and most awesomest music ever is techno.
Techno consists of house, trance, progressive, blah, blah, blah and every other obscure genre.
Side note: Armin Van Buuren is better than Tiesto, and if you don’t agree, fuck you and stop reading.
Here are a few clubs that you should check out while you’re here:
Sutton
One of the more popular clubs in Barcelona–every day of the week. If you don’t mind paying an entrance fee (10-15euro) its one of the most fun house/electronic clubs that Barcelona has to offer. You can expect a young crowd (18-24), and the place doesn’t clear out until at least 6Am every morning. Be prepared to waste the entire next day on a great night at Sutton.
Broadbar
A fancy bar/club hyrbid, Broadbar is upscale and classy, yet accessible. If you want a place to go around midnight before going to a larger club and have some money to spend, do it at Broadbar. Getting in can be difficult, but with club promoters you can get on the “list” at least once and you should definitely try.
Apollo
If you like pop/rock, Apollo is a great open dance floor with moderate priced drinks. Apollo gets crowded after 2, but you can easily obtain free passes for the hours between 12 and 1. Apollo is open late (closes around 6), and you should have no problem staying there until then.
Shoko
Shoko is located in Port Olympic, next to two other popular dance clubs–Opium and Catwalk. There is never a night without a large, young crowd flocking to these three club giants. I recommend checking out all three, as they do have their subtle differences. Shoko is most easily accessible on any given night (make sure you’re dressed up), and plays a variety of music from classic rock to hip hop to house.
Otto Zutz
Otto Zutz has three floors, each playing its own type of music with (on most nights) its own DJ. Its without doubt a blast to hop from floor to floor when listening to just one genre can get repetitive/boring. Getting in can be pricey, so you may want to wait until a club promoter gives you passes for a specific night before you check it out. As is the rule for most clubbing nights, do most (if not all) of your drinking before you get there, unless you want to buy $5 Heinekens and 11$ mixed drinks.
I’ve also compiled the best club music (all some form of electronic) that I’ve personally heard in clubs since I’ve been here. If you like bass-heavy club techno, you need to have these songs.
Armin Van Buuren – Hold On to Me (feat. Audrey Gallagher)
Rating: 8.7/10 –> From Armin’s 2008 album Imagine, if the name Audrey Gallagher sounds familiar than you must know “Big Sky” by John O’Callaghan, which won tune of the year in last year’s A State of Trance. This track is even bigger than her first, and for good reason.
Mr. Sam – Cygnes (feat. Claud9)
Rating: 7.9/10 –> A bass-heavy trance song, that was also featured in Armin’s ASOT this year and was rated in the top 20 tunes of the year by voters. Who knows what the girl is saying in the song, and who cares.
Dash Berlin – Till the Sky Falls Down (dub)
Rating: 8.5/10 –> If you haven’t heard this song and you call yourself a fan of trance than don’t.
MGMT – Kids (Soulwax Remix)
Rating: 7.3/10 –> A great remix to a great song. Get it now.
Guru Josh Project – Infinity 2008
Rating: 7.0/10 –> Europeans love this song, and so do I. If you have never heard this at a club its indescribable.
Lemon and Einar K – Anticipation
Rating: 8.3/10 –> Not even a true club song, but the synths are worth checking out. If you think you’re flying high in the sky while listening to this, the track did its job or you’re really high.
Fedde Le Grande – Put Your Hands Up for Detroit (Club Mix)
Rating: 8.0/10 –> I’m sure no one reading this hasn’t heard this song, but if you haven’t downloaded it feel free to now. The last two minutes of this club mix are probably less familiar, but are even better than the songs’ main bassline.
Eric Prydz – Pjanoo
Rating: 7.6/10 –> There hasn’t been a house club that has left this track out. Who knew that “call on me” wouldn’t be a one hit wonder?
Fedde Le Grande & Ida Corr – Let Me Think About It
Rating: 6.8/10 –> Fedde Le Grande strikes again with his familiar heavy hitting style.
Orjan Nilson – La Guitarra
Rating: 7.3/10 –> He’s hit the jackpot with this unforgettable guitar melody.
