SCENE REVIEWS

International Scene: That's "Bar-th-eh-lona" To You!
By: Anthony Partipilo

¡Viva Cataluña! As the capital of Cataluña, and arguably The Mediterranean, Barcelona is a traveller’s paradise.  She’s a feisty city, with beauty, grace and style abound.  Home to thousands of worldly backpackers and fashionistas alike, Barcelona doesn’t cheap out when it comes to everything a tourist could ever want.  Daytime people-watching along Las Ramblas or wandering amidst any one of the plethora of Gaudi’s marvels will leave you needing the traditional (and almost obligatory) Siesta! 

As you wake from your afternoon slumber, you realize the city isn’t about to shut down quite yet.  Shops are open usually until 10p.m. – when restaurants only begin to open for dinner!  Bars are the norm between midnight and 3a.m.…which is about the time most clubs start to open their doors!  If it’s nightlife you’re after: this city will surely shock you!  There are hundreds of bars and clubs to choose from – from the biggest, being Razzmatazz (5 clubs in one), to the most popular internationally known, like Space, Pacha or the infamous after-hours Souvenir!

Let me put it to you bluntly…Souvenir is the most glamorous and jaw-dropping wonder of an after-hours club that I have ever seen in my clubbing life!  Hidden in an obscure industrial zone off the road towards Sitges (another fabulous summer hot-spot), this ritualistic weekend morning party doesn’t get going until 7 or 8 a.m. and is home to Barcelona’s infamous Matinée Group (Sundays)!  Just tell the cabbie “Souvenir” and he’ll know where to go!   After you walk inside this rather box-like club, if the shimmer off the disco balls or the blazing wall of lights doesn’t hypnotize you – the music surely will!  With well known DJs like Juanjo Martinez, Ior-Dee or J. Louis, Souvenir is no stranger to international music aficionados.

If you’ve never been to Europe, Barcelona’s doesn’t discriminate.  It has everything a novice jetsetter could want – inclusive of the glitz and glamour.  Take heed: Barcelona’s addictive lifestyle will leave you with the impression Spaniards are as laid back and fanatic as they appear to be!  Reality is though…they are!