Jazz Music Barcelona

Barcelona has a lively music scene, from great concerts held in Palau Jordi to more intimate venues such as Jazz Si and London Bar where live music is played throughout the week, ranging from Blues and Jazz to Flamenco.  Barcelona also annually holds a series of Jazz events at the Barcelona Jazz Festival.  This article will highlight some of the clubs especially worth visiting on the Barcelona jazz and blues circuit.

For this article I will mention some of the smaller, more intimate venues that are especially worth visiting midweek to relax and soak up some great vibes.  If you play an instrument, feel free to take it along, some of the smaller venues encourage you to join in.  The double-bass isn't such a portable instrument so if you do take this along, be prepared for a long session!  The only time the music might pause is if said Bass player isn't replaceable and needs to visit the bathroom.  By the way, these venues are mentioned in no particular order.

Jazz Si

This venue is tucked away in the Raval district of Barcelona, just off the Riera Alta street.  It is a tiny place, and the furnishing is spartan, but for 4-7 euros you can relax with a beer and enjoy the atmosphere in this authentic jazz room. At this venue you can take along your own instrument if the event isn't on key nights.  Jazz Si hosts Flamenco and other music as well as jazz and blues.

Website

Harlem Jazz Club

Nestled in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, this popular venue holds regular sessions of jazz/blues/rock/salsa and similar.  Entrance costs around 6-8 EUR and includes a drink.  It's a small venue, but with enough space for dancing, unlike Jazz Si, which is essential for the salsa sets. The events open around 11.30 - 12:00 although it starts to warm up a little later.

London Bar

The London Bar is located in Nou de La Rambla, just of Las Ramblas, about half-way down.  It is a bar with a small music venue at the back.  The atmosphere is authentic and you can relax with some cool beers while enjoying live music of various types:  jazz, rock, blues etc.  The stage area can get quite smoky and you are advised to find seats early enough to avoid standing as the bar is popular.

Jamboree

This club is on a larger scale than the two mentioned above, but still small enough to be intimate.  A great venue and very popular, it is located right in the Plaza Reiel in the Gothic Quarter, just off Las Ramblas.  Slightly more costly, you will be forking out around 10 EUR for entrance on weekends and more for popular, established and recognised groups.  Jamboree is well-known and great names have played there, such as Chet Baker and Ella Fitzgerald.  Can get very busy later (as the venue turns into a discoteque) on so expect to queue.

http://www.masimas.com

Bel-Luna Jazz Club

Not a strict jazz club but a great place to enjoy jazz and eat well.  The Bel-luna combines a jazz bar with a restaurant so you can dig some funky vibes while munch.  Entrance can cost from 8-20 EUR depending on who is playing, and a meal might be around 20-25 EUR per person.

http://www.bel-luna.com

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