La Champañeria Barcelona

From Paul Cannon

Also known as Can Paixano, La Champañeria is a popular cava bar in the Barceloneta district of Barcelona. On the La Champañeria's Facebook page it says, 'where being uncomfortable has never been so much fun' and this phrase captures what this small bodega bar's all about - enjoyable discomfort.

A reputation for cheap eats and noisy cava-fuelled interaction means La Champañeria gets unbelievably packed in the late afternoon. The deal is you can buy a bottle of cava for about 3€ so long as you order two sandwiches or tapas with it.

The bocadillos are smallish buns filled with anything high in cholesterol, from fried sobrasada (piquant, paprika-spiced ground pork) to butifarra blanca (white sausage). The tapas are small plates piled with typical local treats such as cheese croquettes filled with cod, slices of black morcilla sausage or semi-cured cheese.

If you want to take home some treats or souvenir champagne there's actually a small shop in the back. But you'll have to brave the crowd to reach it.

The late afternoon sees the bar filling up with a rowdy mix of students, tourist stragglers from the beach and locals coming out of work. From end to the other it can get almost impossible to move, to the point that bodies are entwined together in unusually close proximity, drinks are spilled everywhere and the floor is covered with food. So, it's not for the squeamish. Insider tip - pay no attention to who's been queuing longest. Wave your arms around frantically and shout the loudest. Or you won't get served.

Essential Info

Where: C/ Reina Cristina, 08003, Barceloneta, Barcelona
Telephone: 933100839
Online: www.canpaixano.es
Opening hours: 1.30pm - 10pm
How to Get There: La Champañeria is served by the Barceloneta metro stop on the yellow line.
Getting to Barcelona: Barcelona is served by Barcelona El Prat Airport, and Renfe trains connect from all other major Spanish cities to Sants Estacio.