Jamboree

Jamboree occupies a vaulted cellar beneath the arcades of Plaça Reial, and for decades it has been one of the key jazz venues in Barcelona. It is now part of the Grup Mas i Mas, which runs several music venues in the city, and it programmes jazz alongside blues, Americana, flamenco, Brazilian music, rock and pop across its rooms.

The usual pattern is music first and dancing later. Concerts take place in the early evening, often with two sessions, at 7pm and 8.30pm, so you can choose an earlier or later show, and on Monday evenings a jam session runs from 7pm to 11pm, when local musicians and visitors take turns on stage. Recent programmes have included themed cycles devoted to John Coltrane and Miles Davis. Later at night, the venue switches to club nights, so you can make a whole evening of it without leaving the square.

Tickets for concerts are sold online through the venue's website, with prices typically between about 12 and 25 euros depending on the artist, and popular shows sell out, so book ahead. The cellar is intimate, with the audience close to the stage, which makes even a small group sound powerful. Arrive early for a good spot, as seating is limited. Club nights have their own entry arrangements, and age limits apply at night.

Jamboree suits music lovers, couples and groups of friends, and the jam sessions are a good, affordable introduction to the local jazz scene. It is less suited to anyone looking for a quiet drink, as the room is dedicated to the music. The venue can also be hired for private events, and musicians can apply to perform.

Plaça Reial is one of the liveliest squares in the city, with palm trees, arcades and lamp posts designed by a young Antoni Gaudí. It is just off La Rambla, a couple of minutes' walk from Liceu station on metro line L3. The square has many restaurants and bars, Tablao Flamenco Cordobés is a short walk down La Rambla, and the old-school bars of Carrer de la Mercè, including Bar La Plata, are a few minutes away. Take normal care with belongings in the square late at night.