A Tour Of Barcelona's Alternative Exhibition Spaces

Barcelona is home to a plethora of must-see art galleries, but there’s even more art to be found in the city’s most unexpected places. From cafés to vintage stores, we profile some of Barcelona’s unusual exhibition spaces, whether you’re looking to buy or in the mood to peruse.

Paella Showroom

Behind racks upon racks of extravagant vintage clothing and handcrafted jewelry, Paella Showroom showcases the works of emerging artists in a small, welcoming gallery. This unconventional space broadens the horizons of a traditional gallery, but it still displays a variety of works. Featured pieces may range from furniture to paintings, so be sure to come back often – you never know what you may find.

Moraima

Bar, Restaurant, Spanish, Mediterranean

Located in a small alley in the Raval, this bohemian loft is the perfect place to enjoy the vibrant creations of young artists while indulging in a quiet night out. Moraima serves drinks until one 1am and offers live music performances until 10:30pm. It’s a prime choice for anyone after a relaxing yet cultured evening out.

Opera Lounge

Opera Lounge lets you to pamper yourself with a haircut while eyeing the artworks of fresh new talents. As a longtime apprentice of a world-renowned Italian hairstylist, its creator and main hairstylist Giovanni Lavorante has learned how to appreciate all forms of beauty. He now shares his refined taste through his hairstyling talents and his art collection, housed in his salon.

Cosmo

Well-known for their delicious brunches, Cosmo is where you can kickstart your day with a tasty meal and some eye candy to boot. Its sky-high walls adorned with disparate paintings and illustrations will keep you busy for hours, and the freshly-pressed juices and carrot cake will certainly have you coming back for more.

ArtTe

Bar, Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, Tea Room, Mediterranean

This sophisticated tea lounge offers more than 70 varieties of tea, complete with a tea shop where you can take some home. Its impressively large space welcomes exhibitions and many more artistic activities such as workshops, poetry readings, and live music.

About the author

Alison Moss

Alison is a PhD student in Aesthetics and Art Theory who is focusing her research on the definition of abstraction in contemporary art. As an avid reader, writer and art-lover she spends most of her time in libraries and museums, but she also thoroughly enjoys exploring the city’s hidden spots on the lookout for anything quirky and eccentric. Finding a dusty old knicknack in an antique fair or an outlandish sculpture at a flea market are simple joys that can make her day.