Tablao Flamenco Cordobés

Flamenco is an Andalusian art, but Barcelona has a long tradition of it, and Tablao Cordobés has been part of that scene since 1970. It occupies a building on the lower part of La Rambla and stages nightly performances of flamenco song, guitar and dance.

A tablao is an intimate venue rather than a theatre, and that is its appeal. Seats are close to the small stage, so you hear the footwork, the hand-clapping and the singer's voice without amplification getting in the way, and you see the concentration of the performers at close range. A typical show brings together dancers, a singer, a guitarist and percussion, moving between slower, more serious pieces and faster, festive ones, and the line-up of artists changes regularly.

The tablao has its own restaurant, and tickets can include a meal before the performance, drinks only, or just the show. The dinner options suit couples or groups who want to make an evening of it, while a drink-and-show ticket is the simpler choice if you plan to eat elsewhere. Special evenings, such as a New Year's Eve gala dinner, are also offered. Performance times and menus are published on the official website, where you can book; booking ahead is sensible, particularly at weekends and in summer, as the room is small. Arrive in good time to be seated before the performance starts.

This is a good introduction to flamenco for first-timers, and it is popular with visitors from all over the world. You do not need to know anything about the art to enjoy it, although it helps to know that the singer, or cantaor, is at the heart of flamenco, and that the dancers often respond to the guitar and the voice in the moment rather than following a fixed routine. Photography rules are set by the venue, so ask staff before filming. If you have restricted mobility, contact the tablao in advance to check access.

Tablao Cordobés is at La Rambla 35, on the lower part of the boulevard between Plaça Reial and the port. The nearest metro stations are Drassanes and Liceu on line L3. After the show, the arcaded Plaça Reial, with the Jamboree jazz club in its cellar, is a minute away, and the lanes of the Barri Gòtic and the bars of Carrer de la Mercè are a short walk east.