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Paradiso
An El Born speakeasy reached through a fridge door at the back of a pastrami bar, named number one in The World's 50 Best Bars in…
Sips
An Eixample cocktail bar opened in 2021 by Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez, named The World's Best Bar in 2023, where drinks are made at central island workstations.
At a glance
- Type
- Cocktail bar
- Area
- Eixample, Barcelona, Spain
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Official site
- sips.barcelona
Good to know
- Open-plan bar
- Esencia tasting bar
Why we recommend it
Sips opened in 2021, founded by the bartenders Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez, and within two years it had been named The World's Best Bar in The World's 50 Best Bars 2023. It remains one of the most highly rated bars in Europe and appeared at number 16 on the 2026 list. It is in the Eixample Esquerra, on Carrer de Muntaner, a long way from the old town's tourist bars.
What sets Sips apart is the layout. There is no traditional bar counter separating staff from guests; instead, drinks are prepared at open, central island workstations, and guests sit around them and watch the team work. The room, designed by Corberó Studio, is calm and modern, and the atmosphere is more relaxed than the awards might suggest. The menu changes over time and plays with ingredients and techniques in creative ways. Past signatures include the Nixtamil, which begins with a red fruit reduction licked from a handheld mirror before a mix of bourbon, corn and miso distillate, and a version of Tommy's Margarita with strawberry and spicy yellow aji pepper.
Within the bar, Esencia is a separate bar-within-a-bar that seats 14 guests for a multi-course liquid tasting menu, a more structured experience for anyone who wants to go deeper. It needs to be arranged in advance.
Bookings can be requested by email through the address on the bar's website, and it is wise to plan ahead for Friday and Saturday nights, when demand is high. Opening hours are not published on the website, so check when booking. Prices are at the upper end for Barcelona, in line with other award-winning cocktail bars.
Sips suits cocktail enthusiasts, couples and small groups looking for a polished, creative evening. It is less about a party atmosphere than about the drinks and the craft behind them, so it works well before or after dinner. The bar is on Carrer de Muntaner, within about ten minutes' walk of Universitat and Urgell metro stations. Disfrutar is a short walk away on Carrer de Villarroel, making the two a memorable combination for a special evening in the Eixample.
Sips FAQs
Has Sips won awards?
Yes. It was named The World's Best Bar in 2023 and placed 16th in The World's 50 Best Bars 2026.
Who founded Sips?
The bartenders Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez, in 2021.
What makes it different?
There is no traditional counter; drinks are made at central island workstations with guests seated around them.
What is Esencia?
A bar-within-a-bar seating 14 guests for a multi-course liquid tasting menu.
How do you book?
Request a booking by email at [email protected].
Is it expensive?
Prices are at the upper end for Barcelona, in line with other award-winning cocktail bars.
Where is it?
At Carrer de Muntaner 108 in the Eixample Esquerra.
What is nearby?
Disfrutar restaurant on Carrer de Villarroel, a short walk away.