Marsella Absinthe Bar in Barcelona, Spain

Now legal almost everywhere in the world, the devilish liqueur known as absinthe is not as elusive as it once was. But long before its worldwide acceptance, a tiny bar in Barcelona was serving it in its purest form, and now the bar is a popular stop for tourists and locals.

Bar Marsella was once a watering hole for the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso who frequented the neighborhood of El Raval for a dose of artistic inspiration. Once a rather unpleasant district in the center of Barcelona, El Raval experienced a recent renaissance and is slowly becoming a haven for all things retro. The oldest bar in Barcelona fits right in with this motif: The chunky wooden interior and beaming chandeliers transport guests to a time of innocence, with a side of a not-so-innocent elixir.

Bartenders serve their house-made absinthe in a small glass, topped with a fork on which a cube or two of sugar rests. The proper method of preparing and consuming absinthe is to allow a few drops of water to dissolve the sugar, which will then drip into the absinthe, adding a touch of sweetness to an otherwise bitter liqueur. The drinker is in charge of how sweet or bitter he wants his absinthe to be, and recommendations are up for grabs from the well-seasoned bartenders. For lovers of liqueurs and history, Bar Marsella is a worthy venture.

Carrer de Sant Pau, 65, 08001

Barcelona, Spain

+34 934 42 72 63