{"id":225,"date":"2009-02-04T14:42:43","date_gmt":"2009-02-04T14:42:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.itravelabout.com\/?post_type=story&p=225"},"modified":"2009-02-04T14:42:43","modified_gmt":"2009-02-04T14:42:43","slug":"drink-cheap-in-barcelona-listen-up-students-and-backpackers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.itravelabout.com\/2009\/02\/04\/drink-cheap-in-barcelona-listen-up-students-and-backpackers\/","title":{"rendered":"Drink Cheap in Barcelona – listen up students and backpackers!"},"content":{"rendered":"

A bustling nightlife is one of a huge number reasons that attracts thousands of people to Barcelona each year. Gone are the days, though, where one could walk down Las Ramblas and pick up a pint for a few pesetas. Unfortunately, the city has moved on and these days it is full of tourist hotspots where drinks prices are bordering extortionate. Many visitors, though, are often held back by a restricted budget and with these prices, in this economic climate, may not last longer than a day or two before finding themselves out of pocket. But never say never! There are still lots of places to buy a cheap beer or cocktail in Barcelona, you just have to look in the right places!<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re out to get the real Barcelona experience, rather than spend your time squeezing into a busy, pricey tourist trap, then my first word of advice would be to venture out of the norm and join in on an old Spanish tradition called \u2018Botell\u00f3n\u2019. For those of you not familiar with the term, it basically entails purchasing some form of alcohol from the local supermarket and heading out to one of the city\u2019s public areas to enjoy a few drinks. Now I know what some of you may be thinking; this sounds a bit like binge drinking in the street. I assure you it is not. \u2018Botell\u00f3n\u2019 has almost become custom in Spain and attracts a young, warm and friendly crowd who are merely looking for ways to have fun with friends whilst saving a euro or two. Head down to Barceloneta beach on a weekend and you\u2019ll be sure to meet similar-minded, fun-loving groups of people. Handily, there often many beer sellers in this area from whom you can buy a can for a mere 1\u20ac. Slightly further out is the Plaza del Sol in Gr\u00e0cia (well-connected by metro) which is full of friendly locals on any night of the week, as well as numerous cheap bars. This is a great way of meeting new people and experiencing the true vibe of Barcelona.<\/p>\n

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Alternatively, you can opt for the more conventional method and head to one of the pubs and bars in the city to quench your thirst. However, for those unaware of the many little gems scattered around the city centre, a typical \u201cbar crawl\u201d can be quite expensive when you\u2019re not sure where to go. Here\u2019s a selection of bars that should keep the wallet intact:<\/p>\n