Google Maps rating: 3.2 / 5 (45 reviews)
What the reviewers said:
- 2* – “Seedy bar, where I don’t know if the waiter understands the language very well, because he doesn’t respond when you speak to him. The bar is outdated. Prices in line with other bars in the area.”
- 2* – “Dirty place, sandwiches with sunflower oil. Dirty latte spoon and no story inside. I will not repeat”
- 1* – “Terrible service. We arrived at 18:30 and until 19:28 as if we did not exist. On top of that, when we left, my partner had paid half the bill and he charged me again for everything. Food of dubious quality. The bravas are saved. But I wouldn’t dare ask for anything beyond that.”
My experience
I was prepared. Having read the comments, I knew I had to be. I brought books, music and a rubix cube, just in case I have to set for 58 minutes without being noticed. I brought my own spoon, just incase. I even prepared my Google Translate app, by downloading an offline copy of Mandarin, just in case the waiter didn;t understand the words “beer, bill and bravas”.
No. I did none of that. But I did start to crap myself as I walked toward the bar.
A waiter was having a rather animated conversation with some guests. At frst I thought he was giving them a good old mouthful. But, he was just having a bit of banter with his customers, telling them where his favourite Chinese restaurant is. He greeted me in a friendly way. More than anything, he just seemed quite an “un personaje” as they say here in Barcelona, quite a character.
I sat down on a table outside, it was a nice enough day and this way I could watch from afar. I asked for a beer, it came. I asked for some potatos bravas, they came.
People were coming and going. A group of young friends, a middle-aged couple, an older couple. There didn’t seem to be anything special about this place, like most other bars in Barcelona. But that in itself is a compliment, I didn’t experience any unfriendliness. There were no dirty spoons, no delayed service.
I sat for a while, and watched the waiter have a bit more batner with some obvious loyal customers. This is pleasant, I thought.
Out of curiosity, and I guess for thoroughness, I took a trip to the bathroom. Sure, the decor is a bit outdated, things aren’t as shiny as they perhaps could be. But the toilet worked, the light didn’t auto-turn off after 8.2 seconds (nothing agitates me more), there was even some lush smelling soap, a treat for my hands.
I asked for the bill, got it, paid it and trundled off. When am I going to find a place which is as bad as it is reviewed?
Friendliness: as friendly as any.
Greeted on arrival: Yes – Hola amigo!
Cleansiness: Clean.
Look of the outside: kind of inviting. Busy. Nice terraza. Tables full!
Look of the inside: I could have fooled myself to think it was 1995, but I like that.
Price of stuff: can’t remember. Decent.
Ordered: Cana, bravas
Quality: bravas potatoes were good, crispy on the outside, fluffy inside. Not too much sauce, decent amount of potatoes. Beer was cold.
Vegan friendly: Beer is vegan, isn’t it?
Vegan happy: As above.
Table clean on arrival? No
Table cleaned after arrival? Yes. Thankfully, the waiter acknoledged the dirty table AND cleaned it, unlike the last place.
Atmosphere: Lovely. Nice little terraza outside where all the tables are taken (mostly old people), on a plaza where people are hanging out with their dogs, kids.
Did I stay beyond what was necessary: Yes. I enjoyed a second beer, and wrote most of the very words you see in front of you. Happy days.
Review left: 5*. Why the hell not?
AshWoodhall.blog 
Hi Ash
Sounds like a decent place
Chris
Sent from my iPhone
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