Even though the title sounds like something directly out of a science fiction movie, this is some kind of attempt at being a small article about a bar, despite the fact of this having quite a bit of pure fiction.
So here we are, just like it sounds, there still remains a genuine and authentic spot, where the the glow of the lights and it's glamor opens the book to it's history.
The hole we are talking about is called "El Marsella", situated in the very heart of the bustling neighborhood "El Raval" very close to where many of you guys are staying, the SOUND and MAR hostels.
El Marsella was established in 1820, and has the honor of being known as the oldest bar in Barcelona, and since that very first day of it's inauguration the dust have never been cleared off any the bottles.
Nothing more than crossing this threshold, and your senses carry you to another dimension. The sweet anisette smell of the the ABSINTHE, otherwise known as “The Green Fairy”, hits you directly in the deepest part of your lungs, and before your eyes a gran spectacle appears, that seems to have come right out of one of the great Bukowsky's "black novels". It is here in the dirty den, among this smoke and alcohol, where the old shaking ceiling fans continue to stir up that smoke and it's history at the same time.
The grotto is modernistic in style with the noble and hardwood decor that are responsible for finishing off it's mysterious and truly bohemian look.
If you are observant and at the same time fortunate in finding yourself someplace to sit, (you'd better get there before midnight) you'll be able to see mixed up fauna of all kinds; veterans at the bar who look like they have come directly from Vietnam, the local folk chatting it up happily, and why not, a few spaced-out tourists putting on their amazed faces.
Within this decadent ambiance the shining star is definitely without a doubt the Absinthe, a drink discovered by a doctor in France in 1792, which was made by the combining of aniseed and wormwood, originally used as a medicinal treatment.
During the 19th and 20th centuries it was consumed primarily by artists and bohemians alike who made it the fashionable drink, mainly because it intensified their own creativity due entirely to the psychosomatic colloidal properties of wormwood which chemically resembles marijuana. It is especially dark green or blue in color, with a strong aroma, a biter taste, and a very high alcohol content.
The most habitual way to prepare it, is putting a spoon with a lump of sugar just over the top part of an empty glass, then pouring the absinthe bit by bit over top of the sugar. Then the sugar must be melted, once caramelized, the sugar is then added to the glass of Absinthe, and can be mixed with either water, or any kind of lemon or orange soft drink.
Throughout many decades it has been strictly prohibited in Europe, with the exception of Portugal and Spain, yet now having legalized it's consumption in other countries, Spain and Portugal remain the only two that continue to distill it using the traditional method.
Great geniuses like Manet, Degas, Van Gogh, Picasso make reference in their works of art to “Absinthe” and many others like Bodeleire, Oscar Wilde, Toulouse Lautrec, Monticelli, Hemingway, Rimbaud were the the greatest consumers of this potion, are the regulars you would have found at this bar in their time. Most recently, this bar played it's part in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona, making it a sure bet.
Here, you can drink whatever, but if you decide to go for “The Green Fairy”, control your yourself, and don't get on the night receptionists nerves, or I'll refuse to divulge you any more secrets of the Barcelona occult.
And now, it's your turn, step through the door, and welcome, a hallucinating trip...
Mele, from Canary Islands, morning Receptionist.
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Nathaniel, USA
What a wonderful hostel it was. Private bathrooms and public ones...A free breakfast that reminds you of "home" and 5 minutes from a great beach that isn't too crowded. Will return if I'm back in Barcelona!!! [ + ]
10-07-2010Gabriel, Brazil
Very good hostel, it's big, with different lounges. The cleanliness is almost perfect. The staff was great, fun and very helpful. The locker is also very good, with a card key. The only problem was the location, it's far from the center but there is a metro station right on the corner of the hostel, so you can get in every part of Barcelona in 20 minutes! [ + ]